Reviews

Ireland Awakening by Edward Rutherfurd

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thatbookishwriter's review against another edition

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adventurous informative slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

danilanglie's review against another edition

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4.0

In a lot of obvious, objective ways, Rutherfurd's style isn't actually all that sophisticated, and there are a lot of weaknesses to his prose and story-telling methods. But for whatever reason, I really enjoy getting sucked up into his novels! I love a project, for one thing, so the long length is actually an incentive for me. And I love learning things. I love how the characters become symbols for certain types of people that live in certain places and at certain times.

I don't think this book is my new favorite of his, but I did like the way it showcased Ireland's long history, and how religion and ancestry co-mingled and actually made it very difficult for any one person to be able to definitively claim what Ireland actually is. As various rebellions occurred, it felt like a constant folding-in of people who had been there long enough to be considered locals, fighting against newcomers who eventually became old-timers in their own turn. It's messy, it's heartbreaking, and you really got the sense of the beautiful history and culture that was in some ways being erased, and in other ways just changing to survive.

I've still got a few more of Rutherfurd's novels to read, and I'll be getting to them before too long!

gerbilreads's review against another edition

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5.0

Aah magnificent. Rutherford has excelled with his Dublin series, not only providing the reader with precise and carefully researched historical fact, but also managing to reach some of the heart of this fabulous place and the people who occupy it. He has such skill in producing characters who become fully fleshed within mere pages and whom are able to give us the most interesting perspectives on the the goings-on of their day. A beautiful marriage of intellectual historical fiction and a truly heartfelt love of humankind and for Ireland.