Scorching Wind

This book was sent to me in the condition I expected. Just as described.

This, the third book in the much acclaimed Irish Trilogy, offers a unique insight into the life and times of the 1916 Easter Rebellion and the years that followed. Walter Macken was a Master Storyteller, who wrote about Irish life "from the inside", drawing the reader in completely. A book you won't want to put down until the very last page, and one that you will read, and re-read! A book that is as good today as when it was first published.

The Scorching Wind is the third in a trilogy that began during Cromwellian days in Ireland in the mid 1600's, and ends with this novel in the early 1900's. It is the story of a Connacht family through the generations, and this final book in the trilogy begins in 1916 and ends after the truce of 1922. It is the story of a young man, the son of a school teacher, and his brother. The young man, who is a medical student, is not politically inclined but is drawn into the struggles for freedom in Ireland. It is a powerful story of a young man and the fight within himself, the love for his older brother, and the tragic events that led to the establishment of the Free State of Ireland. Excellent book and a powerful and passionate historical trilogy.

Walter Macken, a native of Galway, was born in 1915 and died in his home city at the age of 51. A writer, an actor and a playwright, he is perhaps best known for his novel "Flight of the Doves" - which was adapted for the cinema - and his "Irish Trilogy". "The Scorching Wind" is the third book of this trilogy, and is set in the early 1900s. Although the book itself is a work of fiction, many of the 'background' events actually happened - for example, the Easter Rising of 1916, the partition of Ireland in 1921 and the Irish Civil War (1922-23). The book opens in the West of Ireland in 1915, with two brothers resting in the shade of a haystack. Much to the disgust of their father, Dualta - the elder brother - has joined the British Army. Dualta believed the words of John Redmond, the leader of the Home Rule Party at Westminster. Redmond had suggested that Ireland would be granted Home Rule if the Irish Volunteers fought for the British in the Great War - a false promise. The book focuses more on Dominic, however - the younger of the two brothers. He sees his brother off to war, the pair travelling with a close friend called Poric into town. Poric has also disappointed Dominic's father, his former teacher, by joining the police. Shortly after leaving his brother and friend. Dominic meets a man called Sam Browne - who gradually involves Dominic in the struggle for freedom. Among the many others who also become involved are Lowry, an acquaintance of Dominic's at college and the pretty Finola Brady - not to mention Poric and Dualta, on his return from war. While this is the third book in a trilogy, it's not strictly necessary to read them in order. However, I think it's probably better if you do - if you enjoy one of them, I have no doubt you'll enjoy all three. It appears the heroes of the two previous books (Dominick, in "Seek the Fair Land" and Dualta, in "The Silent People") are ancestors of the two brother. In a way, I found this to be the saddest book of the three, with the differences between the two brothers becoming more pronounced as the book progresses. (If you've enjoyed this book, you might also want to try "Call My Brother Back", by Michael McLaverty. It's set in Belfast, at the same time as this book - McLavery, like Macken, is an excellent storyteller.)