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leemac027's review against another edition
5.0
I have to admit to being a huge Edward Rutherfurd fan. The amount of research he does to create these magnificent tomes and bring centuries of history to life is simple wonderful.
Reading his books has exposed elements of history that I did not know and telling this history through the voices of fictional characters brings you into the story. Ireland Awakening is no exception. It carries on from where his book, Dublin left off in the late 1500s and I was again hooked.
Rutherfurd is a compelling storyteller and we are again drawn into the lives of the O'Byrnes, Maddens, MacGowans, Harolds, Budges and Walshes with the seemingly unending torment of clashes between religion, power and politics that make up Ireland's complex history.
I have a soft spot for a few characters - the heroic Fortunatus Walsh, Patrick Walsh is another and there are some very strong female characters as well - Caitlin Birne comes into her own during the uprisings around 1916/17.
Reading about this convoluted and complex history gives a tiny insight into how divisions were cemented in Ireland resulting in ongoing tragic and bloody clashes that have continued into the 21st century.
Reading his books has exposed elements of history that I did not know and telling this history through the voices of fictional characters brings you into the story. Ireland Awakening is no exception. It carries on from where his book, Dublin left off in the late 1500s and I was again hooked.
Rutherfurd is a compelling storyteller and we are again drawn into the lives of the O'Byrnes, Maddens, MacGowans, Harolds, Budges and Walshes with the seemingly unending torment of clashes between religion, power and politics that make up Ireland's complex history.
I have a soft spot for a few characters - the heroic Fortunatus Walsh, Patrick Walsh is another and there are some very strong female characters as well - Caitlin Birne comes into her own during the uprisings around 1916/17.
Reading about this convoluted and complex history gives a tiny insight into how divisions were cemented in Ireland resulting in ongoing tragic and bloody clashes that have continued into the 21st century.
chug's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0
agnieszkakrainska's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
5.0
bawright1987's review against another edition
3.0
I read the first part of this book this past August, and I regret letting so much time pass between the pair. I listened to this on audio book, so I missed the family tree that appears in the first pages of the book to refer to. Multiple times characters entered the story and I was constantly asking: who is this person? how did they tie into the first part? But that was my own fault.
On a whole, I really enjoyed this book. Regardless of the character interactions, I love the way Rutherfurd ties in historical events and references and on this basis I adore his books. I learn something new every time I pick one of them up.
On a whole, I really enjoyed this book. Regardless of the character interactions, I love the way Rutherfurd ties in historical events and references and on this basis I adore his books. I learn something new every time I pick one of them up.
kiwikazz's review against another edition
4.0
Another epic read. Travelling to Ireland in 5 days ...I feel like I will be able to recognise place names and their significance. This book and the first in the series are both excellent and contain so much information and are written in such a fantastic format. I truly loved reading them.
jojoinabox's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mccobrien's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly the best book I have read in my entire life. No one else could keep a reader so enthralled with the same book for over a thousand pages and hundreds of years other than Edward Rutherfurd. I cannot recommend this book enough.
directorpurry's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Xenophobia, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Ableism and Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy
mlnguyen91's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
plattin's review against another edition
3.0
The second in the Dublin Series, Rebels is another sweeping epic of Irish history. Rutherford pics up where he left off, with the rebellion of 1534, and takes us up through the passage of Home Rule in 1918. I actually like this book better than its predeseser, but that is probably because I was more familiar with the time period. This was very interesting as a counterpoint to what I already knew about British history. There are numerous literary references. Jonathan Swift is a character, as is James Joyce. Enlightening and Enjoyable.