The Rebels of Ireland

This book and it's predecessor "The Princes of Ireland" are fiction, but the history lesson is there just the same. Rutherford has a very fine literary style that he builds around generations of specific families. We see history unfold through the eyes of these characters, and it is a powerful way to make a lasting impression on the reader. Therefore, these books, as his other ones, are not light reading. They are considerable works, and the book is heavy. (Just ask me after a week of hauling it around the house) But I enjoyed the story, and I loved the characters. I felt like I was there to see and be a part of Ireland's magnificent history. This particular book covers the time between 1597 and 1922. It is richly detailed and the descriptions of this beautiful island actually make it come alive. We see the endless struggle through the centuries of the Catholics and the Protestants, and we also see how no one is a real winner when this type of split occurs in a country. We also see the changing historical landscape through the descendents of the eight or so families that Rutherford highlights. There are common links here too all through. For example, the remarkable green eyes of the O'Byrne family and its descendents. These don't show up with every generation, but they do keep reoccurring. We also see the tragedy of the great famine and the effect it had on the poor people of this country. This is a stunning saga, and I am glad that I finished both books.

I've read all of Edward Rutherfurd's work and have enjoyed it all. However, I'm convinced that Rebels of Ireland is his best effort to date. In trying to ascertain why this may be, I have come to the conclusion that the condensed time frame captured by the book (around 300 years as opposed to the thousands of years in his previous efforts) may be the key. Many of Rutherfurd's earlier books were in the mold of Michener, and while Rutherfurd is good, in my opinion, he is not the equal of Michener in taking a story from prehistory to the present day. Especially where Rutherford tries to tie together family units through centuries, the result is often confusing and hard to follow. However, in the case of Rebels of Ireland, Rutherfurd is given the time necessary to develop characters and story lines to extents not available in his earlier works. The subject matter is engrossing, especially to one who has actually travelled to and toured the Emerald Isle. The chapter on the potato famine of the 1800s was heart breaking in its vivid portrayal of mass starvation through the eyes of a poor Irish family in County Clare. Religious turmoil and English domination are certainly the cornerstones of Irish history through the period canvassed by the novel. For those not familiar with contemporary Irish history, this book would be an excellent primer. If you enjoy this novel, I would recommend Russka, another novel by Rutherfurd dealing with Russian peasantry. Rutherfurd's other work (Sarum, London, The Forest and Princes of Ireland), while entertaining and certainly worthwhile, are not the equal of the other two.

Edward Rutherford has outdone himself. After I read this book, I read his "London" and whereas it is a beautifully written book, it didn't really compare to "The Rebels of Ireland". Rutherford captures the culture that is uniquely Irish and objectively tell us what it was like to be Irish under English domination. England has never understood the beauty of the Irish culture. It is beyond them and that is sad for them. We spent some time wandering through the Wicklow mountains and, as I read, I was taken back to our time there. It is a wondrous place. I also read Rutherford's "Princes of Ireland", an incredible book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Rutherford is truly similar to James Michener, a long time favorite of mine in the area of historical fiction. Both are marvelous story tellers and both captured the cultures of which they wrote by living in those cultures and doing extensive and accurate research. In particular, I appreciated Rutherford's handling of "The Famine" showing that there was not a great famine in Ireland, but rather the starvation of the Irish people. There was plenty of food, but it was shipped to England and elsewhere as the Irish nobility and England let them starve. There is so much fiction about Ireland. It is wonderful to read an accurate and fair account of parts of the history of the so special island which is filled by a warm, loving, and generous culture that is built on family and neighbors, a relational culture that puts people ahead of wealth and never invaded another country. How many countries, in history, can say that. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a real interest in understanding the uniqueness of Ireland and its people. Peter Madison California

This book continues the Dublin Saga.The first book "Princes of Ireland" was spellbounding (see my review of June 12,2005)and this latest book is even better.If you've read any of the other reviews ,you'll already know what it is about;so I won't repeat. Most people believe history is dull;but I believe that is because of the way it has been presented over the years.Nothing can be more interesting than the past because it shows mankind's hopes,struggles,customs,loves,hates,disappointments and what has gone on before and makes us what we are. By presenting history through the people that lived through it,we get a much better understanding of it.In other words it brings history to life. The author takes on a momumental task of condensing 400 years of Irish history into 863 pages;and he does it so well that the reader is immensely more knowledgeable about what happened in Ireland;and what's more important,what happened to the people and why,that a real understanding is obtained.Imagine,page after page,and not a place where it got dull. I have read a lot of Irish history ,biographies and novels;but none have covered this period as clearly and concisely as Rutherfurd has done. The big question is;will he give us another book covering the period since the 1920's to the present.I sure hope so. I would imagine that most people who have read these two books would agree that a mini-series would be a huge success. I predict it would be on par with that great one "Roots." A big book,but well worth the read.

At the risk of understatement, "The Rebels of Ireland" is an epic novel, a big and bold production akin to the film spectaculars of Cecil B. DeMille's in the 50's. That Rutherfurd's saga of Ireland is spun from a passion for the Emerald Isle is evident, as the sheer length and detail will limit commercial success. But you need not be an aficionado of Irish history to appreciate and enjoy this grand tale. Picking up where the 2004 "The Princes of Ireland" leaves off, Rutherfurd takes us through generations of bitter religious conflict, wars, treachery, and famine, starting in 1597 and closing in the early 20th century. But it is by no means necessary to read "Princes" before tackling this one - the stories stand alone - and the author provides a helpful 15 page introduction bridging the preceding ten or twelve centuries. But "Rebels" is much richer than a mere historical chronicle. It is a vibrant, living, story of families and emotions, of trusts forged and broken. If history were an funereal, then this is definitely the Irish wake-version. Rutherfurd is often compared to Michener for all the right reasons, but I've found all of Rutherfurd's novels leaving Michener a bit dull and lifeless by comparison. In short, a mighty achievement of well-researched history brought to life in compelling and gripping fiction - a great novel to kick back and savor slowly over the course of a few weeks.