Kildare Library Service

Author: Leon Uris

Genre: Adult Fiction

Reviewed by: Ann

 From the very first page the story pulled me in.  “MAY 1885. I recall with utter clarity the first great shock of my life. A scream came from the cottage next door. I rushed into the room…”

I was hooked. Leon Uris was a fantastic writer who creates a living breathing picture of historical characters.  The story takes you from the village of Ballyutogue, with its Catholic and Protestant farms into the epic story set in the historical background of 19th century Ireland in which several decades of Irish history are woven into the stories of three families seamlessly. This tale has it all, action, drama, suspense, romance, and of course the fantastic and fully realized characters that we follow into the drama that is their lives.  Characters like Long Dan Sweeney, who was “a full blow revolutionary.” “He would not touch liquor, for he wanted a clear mind to handle men, explosives and decisions.”

I love the descriptions and throwaway sayings like, I’ve seen better-looking faces on potatoes than Conor and me and our daddies wore.”

This is a book to curl up on the couch with, a cup of tea and a warm fire, Oh, yes, and a tissue nearby. Enjoy!