Reviews

1916: A Novel of the Irish Rebellion by Morgan Llywelyn

Only show reviews with written explanations

john_raine's review

3.0

I enjoyed it but not as much as 1921. The ending felt a little rushed, but overall it was an enjoyable read

I read the 2nd book first because I couldn't for the life of me find a physical copy of 1916 until two months ago. But I'm so glad I did because I really enjoyed Ned's perspective and narration.

Find out more via my book review on my BookTube channel, linked below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNqkHzKs3e4

primabrianna's review

Go to review page

adventurous informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

suvata's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

The Easter Rising (Irish: Éirí Amach na Cásca), also known as the Easter Rebellion, was an armed insurrection in Ireland which took place during Easter Week, 1916. I read this book in honor of the 100th anniversary of this event.

The Rebellion was mounted by Irish republicans to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic. The Irish republicans were numbered 1,250 in Dublin while the British Army numbered 16,000 troops and 1,000 armed police. Talk about a mismatch!

This book combines real events and real people with fictional characters in order to tell the story of the 1916 Easter Uprising. I love these kind of books because you get a real feel for the event. I think it's a great way to learn history.

This is the first of five books in this series. I plan on eventually reading all five. It's a funny coincidence that I finished this one on St. Patrick's Day 2016.

bigsexy's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

1916 is a thoroughly research account of the Easter Uprising in Dublin. Unfortunately, it’s a pretty dry read. And why add the American Priest character?

friedachopsticks's review

Go to review page

Too slow, too much recitation of facts. I didn't feel emotionally invested in our characters.

bernfarr's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

It's been several years since I read this historical fiction book set in Dublin during 1916. This was the year of the Easter Rising in Dublin, when a small group of armed Irish men and women took on the might of the English army.

In the end it was a dismal failure as an armed revolution, but it lit a spark that would result in England finally giving the people of Ireland control of their own country.

Llywelyn centers the book on Padraic Pearse, the schoolteacher who became the de facto leader of the uprising. It's an exciting tale of emotion, upheaval, betrayal and battle. The historical aspects seem accurate to my rusty memory of 1916. So you get an adventure novel and an education in a small but important part of Irish history.