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Rating: 
Summary: Druid Priestess
Review: I agree that this is not a "how-to" book. What it is, however,
is one woman's journal--intimate, at times, --fantastical, at times, and most definitely: thought-provoking much of the time!
I agree with the other Reviewers that the author failed to differentiate between the 'real' world and the other real world,
but aside from that, I enjoyed getting an 'inside' look into the world of a Druid priestess. Inside look into her thoughts, rather.
Emma Restall Orr's writing reminded me of Louise Erdich. Tight
writing with good description. Overall, I've enjoyed this book
and I would recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Druid Priestess
Review: I'm afraid I have to disagree with the previous reviewers on the rating of this book. I do however agree that this is not a how-to-book. I was excited at the concept of this book, and back cover made it sound profound and interesting. I'm afraid I found it anything but. I have been Pagan for many years, and have been specifically Druid for a while, and yet Emma's book left me cold. I am on my 2nd read through this book, and parts of it still put me to sleep. I admit there were places I marked with my highlighter (the parts where she explains the basic Druidic beliefs), but those places were few and far between.
I'm sure Ms. Orr is a wonderful Druid Priestess but my main complaint with this book are the parts where she gives her "intimate and inspiring accounts" (as stated on the back cover). As a storyteller, Ms. Orr leaves much to be desired! Half the time I felt like I was reading a strangers diary, with no idea who the people are, or their relationship with the author. Emma just jumps right into her "personal accounts" (the disclaimer in the beginning of the book says the people are part fictional & part real, and she has mixed up various events, different years, and different places!), and sometimes doesn't even identify the people, but just calls them 'her', and gives no background to the situations. The part that really made it hard for me to get into this book was the fact that she admits to being a hypersensitive person. That was the key that ruined this book for me. She regulary has back-and-forth dialogues with spirits as easily as people do with other people. And yet this book would have us believe it is a 'typical year in the life of a Druid' -more like a 'typical year in the life of a hypersensitive Druid Priestess shape-shifter who has trouble getting her points across and does not explain herself well at all!'
All in all, I was highly disapointed in this book, and do not recommend it one bit.
Rating: 
Summary: This is not a "how to" manual
Review: I've been looking for a book like this for years. It's one woman's account of how she lives Druidry. Anyone of any faith would do well to read this for comparison's sake or to learn more about how some pagans celebrate their religion.
Particularly those who think "Wicca" or other nature-based traditions are about manipulation, movie/TV magic or just dressing up in silly outfits can learn about the nitty-gritty of the work and dedication which is carried out by priest/esses. Druidry like other shamanic traditions is not the easiest path to follow. Want to learn more? Read it.
Rating:
Summary: Discover the spiritual side of paganism
Review: My review of this book may not be completely unbiased. I had the honor of meeting Emma Restall Orr on a journey to Great Britain last year. She is an amazing person whose spirit touched me very deeply in the few short hours that we were together. I have never before met someone who exudes both peace and quiet-confidence in quite the way she does. Needless to say, I read this book as soon as I got back. I have been trying to follow a solo pagan path with little guidance other than books for the last year or two. Unfortunatley, I've found that most of the "how-to" guides don't really clarify the feeling that's trying to be achieved. They tend to be very mechanical. Druid Priestess really helped me understand the emotional/spiritual side of the choice of a pagan path. This revelation is apparent in her book regardless of whether her conversations with spirits happen in "real" life or wholly in her mind. Whether you read the book as non-fiction, fiction, or fantasy, it's still beautifully written with a presentation of the spiritual concept of paganism rather than just the say-this-rhythm-while-lighting-a-candle side.
Rating:
Summary: Learning through Example
Review: One of my biggest impediments to learning more about paganism in general and Druidry in particular has always been my lack of interest in non-fiction books. I learn better through fiction than non-fiction, and most pagan books, as another reviewer mentioned, are written as a "how-to be pagan" set of instructions. This is by far the most refreshing and enlightening book on paganism that I have ever read. Emma Restall Orr manages to seamlessly combine storytelling and teaching, like the best of bards. HIGHLY recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Rare insight
Review: This book opens up the entire scope of British druidry - if you know how to read it. Imagine that you have been given the opportunity to read the diary of Taliesin (Welsh bard about the time of King Arthur). Imagine that instead of just the stories of Taliesin that you also had access to Taliesin's thoughts while he was writing them. Now transpose that image to a diminutive 21st century woman and you'll know how to read this book, for like Taliesen, Emma weaves her visions of an Otherworld with a life of service in this world - faith and works combined. And, she does so with a radical honesty and a mytho-poetic style worthy of any long lost bard. Don't miss this opportunity.
Rating:
Summary: Rare insight
Review: This book opens up the entire scope of British druidry - if you know how to read it. Imagine that you have been given the opportunity to read the diary of Taliesin (Welsh bard about the time of King Arthur). Imagine that instead of just the stories of Taliesin that you also had access to Taliesin's thoughts while he was writing them. Now transpose that image to a diminutive 21st century woman and you'll know how to read this book, for like Taliesen, Emma weaves her visions of an Otherworld with a life of service in this world - faith and works combined. And, she does so with a radical honesty and a mytho-poetic style worthy of any long lost bard. Don't miss this opportunity.
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