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kiwikazz's review against another edition
4.0
Another epic read. Travelling to Ireland in 5 days ...I feel like I will be able to recognise place names and their significance. This book and the first in the series are both excellent and contain so much information and are written in such a fantastic format. I truly loved reading them.
jojoinabox's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mccobrien's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly the best book I have read in my entire life. No one else could keep a reader so enthralled with the same book for over a thousand pages and hundreds of years other than Edward Rutherfurd. I cannot recommend this book enough.
directorpurry's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Xenophobia, Child death, Death, and Colonisation
Moderate: Ableism and Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy
mlnguyen91's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
plattin's review against another edition
3.0
The second in the Dublin Series, Rebels is another sweeping epic of Irish history. Rutherford pics up where he left off, with the rebellion of 1534, and takes us up through the passage of Home Rule in 1918. I actually like this book better than its predeseser, but that is probably because I was more familiar with the time period. This was very interesting as a counterpoint to what I already knew about British history. There are numerous literary references. Jonathan Swift is a character, as is James Joyce. Enlightening and Enjoyable.
thatbookishwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
danilanglie's review against another edition
4.0
In a lot of obvious, objective ways, Rutherfurd's style isn't actually all that sophisticated, and there are a lot of weaknesses to his prose and story-telling methods. But for whatever reason, I really enjoy getting sucked up into his novels! I love a project, for one thing, so the long length is actually an incentive for me. And I love learning things. I love how the characters become symbols for certain types of people that live in certain places and at certain times.
I don't think this book is my new favorite of his, but I did like the way it showcased Ireland's long history, and how religion and ancestry co-mingled and actually made it very difficult for any one person to be able to definitively claim what Ireland actually is. As various rebellions occurred, it felt like a constant folding-in of people who had been there long enough to be considered locals, fighting against newcomers who eventually became old-timers in their own turn. It's messy, it's heartbreaking, and you really got the sense of the beautiful history and culture that was in some ways being erased, and in other ways just changing to survive.
I've still got a few more of Rutherfurd's novels to read, and I'll be getting to them before too long!
I don't think this book is my new favorite of his, but I did like the way it showcased Ireland's long history, and how religion and ancestry co-mingled and actually made it very difficult for any one person to be able to definitively claim what Ireland actually is. As various rebellions occurred, it felt like a constant folding-in of people who had been there long enough to be considered locals, fighting against newcomers who eventually became old-timers in their own turn. It's messy, it's heartbreaking, and you really got the sense of the beautiful history and culture that was in some ways being erased, and in other ways just changing to survive.
I've still got a few more of Rutherfurd's novels to read, and I'll be getting to them before too long!
gerbilreads's review against another edition
5.0
Aah magnificent. Rutherford has excelled with his Dublin series, not only providing the reader with precise and carefully researched historical fact, but also managing to reach some of the heart of this fabulous place and the people who occupy it. He has such skill in producing characters who become fully fleshed within mere pages and whom are able to give us the most interesting perspectives on the the goings-on of their day. A beautiful marriage of intellectual historical fiction and a truly heartfelt love of humankind and for Ireland.
charliek_1970's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
5.0