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cfairwea's review against another edition
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ilegnealle's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the fourth part of this series, as I did with all of it's predecessors.
I just really love Barry, even though he is definitely flawed or even problematic at times, but I found him to be incredibly charming and I cared a great deal about him. However, it was difficult at times to keep in mind that Barry is not Ned.
Ursula is less likeable in this book than she was in the third, but admittetly, she did play a rather small role in this book.
Barbara was difficult for me - she really is a mess at first. But I liked her character development, even though things went a bit fast at the end.
Séamus McCoy was hilarious. i loved him.
The story seems to be well-researched, but I am not an expert on Irish history, so I can't really comment on that. It really drew me in, though, and I was glued to the pages. Like the other three books, it is a roller-coaster of funny, charming and heartwarming, and despair and devastation.
Now I really need to find a copy of 1999 - sadly, I was unsuccessfull in finding it online.
Trigger warnings:
terrorism, death, explosions, mention of sexual assault, limb loss, blood, police brutality, gun violence, racism, use of n-word by white people
I just really love Barry, even though he is definitely flawed or even problematic at times, but I found him to be incredibly charming and I cared a great deal about him. However, it was difficult at times to keep in mind that Barry is not Ned.
Ursula is less likeable in this book than she was in the third, but admittetly, she did play a rather small role in this book.
Barbara was difficult for me - she really is a mess at first. But I liked her character development, even though things went a bit fast at the end.
Séamus McCoy was hilarious. i loved him.
The story seems to be well-researched, but I am not an expert on Irish history, so I can't really comment on that. It really drew me in, though, and I was glued to the pages. Like the other three books, it is a roller-coaster of funny, charming and heartwarming, and despair and devastation.
Now I really need to find a copy of 1999 - sadly, I was unsuccessfull in finding it online.
Trigger warnings:
terrorism, death, explosions, mention of sexual assault, limb loss, blood, police brutality, gun violence, racism, use of n-word by white people
kanejim57's review against another edition
5.0
A powerful continuation of Llywelyn's Irish Century Series. The focus of this novel is 1959 to 1972 in which Ned Halloran takes center stage as the main character.
Lots of surprises in this one and a cliffhanger ending!
Looking forward to 1999!
Lots of surprises in this one and a cliffhanger ending!
Looking forward to 1999!
nicolepiermanwriter's review against another edition
4.0
I highly enjoy the Irish Century Novels though I gave this particular book 4/5 stars instead of my regular 5/5 stars for this series. I explain why in my book review on my YouTube channel!
Book Review Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA2VjvLdEWk
Book Review Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA2VjvLdEWk
wildblackberrydays's review against another edition
3.0
Morgan Llywelyn is a fabulous writer, and I have enjoyed every book in this series. This happened to be my least favourite, and I may stand alone in that opinion. I feel it lacked the storyline and character development of the preceding novels.
katymvt's review against another edition
4.0
At the beginning of this book I HATED Barry. But, he really grew throughout the book. I still hate Ursula, though.
kboc923's review against another edition
4.0
i liked it a lot more than the previous one in the series. it is slow moving, in that it gets to 1972 in the last 15-20 pages of the book, however, the build up to bloody sunday is great!
katrinaburch's review against another edition
4.0
Once again Llywelyn delivers a powerful book. Not only did it easily explain the politics behind events in Ireland in the 1960s and early 1970s but it also put it against worlds events that were happening, especially against US events. The ending was particularly powerfully because . I, again, really enjoyed this book and I am a little sad the series is coming to a close. Each book has given me a deeper understand of Irish politics in the 20th century and a much better understanding because it's in context with other world events and it's with characters that I truly connected too.
Spoiler
if she was going to kill Barry with only pages to spear I was going to super pissedcanada_matt's review against another edition
4.0
Things are heating up in the fourth Irish independence novel by Morgan Llywelyn, pitting the British and Provisional IRA against one another over the six counties not ceded in 1921. Ursula Halloran has lived a decent life, trying to raise her son alone while filling him with true Irish values. Along the way, she has been able to offer up strong political views as well, though hoped that Barry would steer clear of the violence. Unable to help himself, Barry Halloran agrees to join and help the IRA in their attempts to force Northern Ireland to be turned over by the British Government. While discussions have not worked, it is time to let blood and gunfire fill the air, all for a united Ireland. While taking a trip to America, Barry learns a little more about the racial struggles there, drawing parallels between that and the Catholic situation in the North. While Barry is willing to make his mark on a small scale, the arrival of the 1960s spurns the whole world into a revolutionary sentiment, none more than in America. Watching the struggles between the races, Barry and those with strong independence views leave the IRA and form a provisional wing, all of whom will only be happy when Britain hands it over to the Irish Free State. When sentiments from 10 Downing and in Westminster are that they will only do so after the Protestant majority seek it, the Provisional IRA make their plans to resurrect a somewhat dormant revolutionary battlecry. With Barry in the middle of the action, there is little hope that he will remain unscathed. A brilliant build-up in the penultimate novel, as Llywelyn provides ample action to resolve in the final book. Perfect for series fans and those who love modern Irish history.
Morgan Llywelyn continues to show that there is no simple or straightforward answers with the Irish Question. In a strong, multi-generational series, Barry Halloran finally climbs into the spotlight, having been raised by a single mother. His passions surely develop under both the auspices of his mother’s varied sentiments about their homeland and how the world is drastically changing. Llywelyn addresses mass communication, as well as the sobering parallels that Barry has when he learns of race relations on a trip to America. When events and scenes from around the world are gathered on the television screen, Barry uses this and the ongoing push by the IRA to solve the six county dilemma to shape his political and societal views. Ready to take up the case—like his grandfather did in the early novels—Barry sees no answer without the thirty-two counties united once and for all. Many others grace the pages of this piece, historical figures and those created by Llywelyn, offering varied flavours to the complex narrative. The renewed push for an Irish revolution is not lost on the keen reader, though there is much going on around the world to help shape momentum in that direction. New ideas by the IRA may help lessen the violent impact, though there is little doubt that some prefer bloodshed over the gentleman’s handshake. The attentive reader will enjoy a mix of longer and quick chapters, offering much history and character development. I am eager to see how the series ends and what drama Llywelyn has in store for her readers.
Kudos, Madam Llywelyn, for keeping the various political and social adventures within the Irish Free State from losing their impact.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons
Morgan Llywelyn continues to show that there is no simple or straightforward answers with the Irish Question. In a strong, multi-generational series, Barry Halloran finally climbs into the spotlight, having been raised by a single mother. His passions surely develop under both the auspices of his mother’s varied sentiments about their homeland and how the world is drastically changing. Llywelyn addresses mass communication, as well as the sobering parallels that Barry has when he learns of race relations on a trip to America. When events and scenes from around the world are gathered on the television screen, Barry uses this and the ongoing push by the IRA to solve the six county dilemma to shape his political and societal views. Ready to take up the case—like his grandfather did in the early novels—Barry sees no answer without the thirty-two counties united once and for all. Many others grace the pages of this piece, historical figures and those created by Llywelyn, offering varied flavours to the complex narrative. The renewed push for an Irish revolution is not lost on the keen reader, though there is much going on around the world to help shape momentum in that direction. New ideas by the IRA may help lessen the violent impact, though there is little doubt that some prefer bloodshed over the gentleman’s handshake. The attentive reader will enjoy a mix of longer and quick chapters, offering much history and character development. I am eager to see how the series ends and what drama Llywelyn has in store for her readers.
Kudos, Madam Llywelyn, for keeping the various political and social adventures within the Irish Free State from losing their impact.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons
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