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4 February 1999 Edition

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New in print: A rip-roaring yarn

By Aengus O Snodaigh

1916
By Morgan Llywelyn
Published by Forge Books
Price £16.99 (Hb)

A masterpiece is how best I can describe this latest novel from the pen of Morgan Llywelyn. Adding to her successful Lion of Ireland and Pride of Lion she tackles the events of the Easter Rising in that style of writing which is gaining more popularity in writings on Ireland - historical fiction (fact and fiction intertwined).

Similar to many of the other major events in Irish history, the story of 1916 has all the elements required for a blockbuster - scriptwriters/film directors take note: heroism, intrigue, betrayal, battles, love/romance, coincidence, and the evil imperialist.

Many other authors have tackled similar themes to a greater or lesser degree, Peter de Rosa's Rebels, Peter Beresford Ellis's Rising of the Moon, Walter Macken's trilogy, Thomas Keneally's latest, The Great Shame, Thomas Flanagan's The Year of the French and many many more. Some of the best are in Irish: L'Attaque, Dé Luan by Eoghan O Tuaraisc, Luaithre an Bhua by Anraoi O Liatháin.

With the success of Michael Collins, Some Mother's Son, In the Name of the Father the cinema public would seem to be ready for more.

Historical novels are an enjoyable way to learn the basics of historical events and to become acquainted with the main characters involved in those events.

It is a difficult undertaking to get the facts right yet have a rip-roaring yarn. I think Morgan Llywelyn has succeeded in this and the book would stand scrutiny by critics and historians alike. A marvellous achievement.

From start to finish the book held me spellbound as Morgan, through the character of Ned Halloran, unfolds the preparations and the aftermath of the rising itself.

Armed with the philosophy ``you've survived the Titanic. Nothing else can harm you now'', Ned Halloran sets out on life's big adventure. A smack of a sabre on Bloody Sunday 1913 teaches him that he is a mere mortal. Through his schooling in St Enda's, his membership of the Volunteers, his friendship with a journalist and his lovelife, Ned matures and with him the story of the headlong dash into rebellion.

The characters which we all associate with the rising all come alive in the 448 pages, among them the Pearse family, Con Colbert, Tom Clarke, Ned Daly, Countess Markievicz, James Connolly and The O'Rahilly. Morgan in the opening pages of the book lists the fictional and historical characters so as to avoid confusion among the uninitiated.

The ending allows for a follow-up, making the Tan War and Civil War come alive again. As they say, watch this space.

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