1972: A Novel of Ireland's Unfinished Revolution - (Irish Century) by Morgan Llywelyn (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The Irish Century series is the narrative of the epic struggle of the Irish people for independence through the tumultuous twentieth century. Morgan Llywelyn's magisterial multi-novel chronicle of that story began with 1916, continued in 1921 and 1949 and now continues with 1972.

In 1972, Morgan Llywelyn tells the story of Ireland from 1950-1972 as seen through the eyes of young Barry Halloran, son and grandson of Irish revolutionaries. Northern Ireland has become a running sore, poisoning life on both sides of the Irish border. Following family tradition, at eighteen Barry joins the Irish Republican Army to help complete what he sees as 'the unfinished revolution'.

But things are no longer as clear cut as they once were. His first experience of violence in Northern Ireland shocks and disturbs him. Yet he has found a sense of family in the Army which is hard to give up. He makes a partial break by becoming a photographer, visually documenting events in the north rather than physically taking part in them. An unhappy early love affair is followed by a tempestuous relationship with Barbara Kavanagh, a professional singer from America. Events lead Barry into a totally different life from the one he expected, yet his allegiance to the ideal of a thirty-two county Irish republic remains undimmed as the problems, and the violence, of Northern Ireland escalate. Then Barry finds himself in the middle of the most horrific event of all: Bloody Sunday in Derry, 1972.

The Irish Century Novels
1916: A Novel of the Irish Rebellion
1921: The Great Novel of the Irish Civil War
1949: A Novel of the Irish Free State
1972: A Novel of Ireland's Unfinished Revolution
1999: A Novel of the Celtic Tiger and the Search for Peace

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

From the Back Cover

Praise for Morgan Llywelyn

1921

"Llywelyn continues her magnificent multivolume saga chronicling the twentieth-century struggle for Irish independence. As in 1916, she masterfully interweaves historical figures and events with fictional ones, providing both a panoramic and an intimate view." --Booklist

"It is a seamless and beautiful work that depicts the struggle of the Irish people to form a nation. . . . 1921 is an artful blend of fictional and historical characters that meet and interact with such forcefulness and directness that the reader is convinced that if history didn't happen this way, it should have; for Llywelyn's work is not the skeletal work one normally associates with history, it is fully fleshed and rich with life. . . . This is a wonderful work of history, art, and storytelling." -El Paso Times

1916

"The politics and factionalism behind the Rising are a tangled web indeed, but Llywelyn unravels them skillfully. Even those who know the story well will be surprised and rewarded by the way she brings back to life a group of brave men who went nobly to their deaths."-The Philadelphia Inquirer

"She weaves the tapestry of her story with intelligence and skill, and gives us access to a period when the bullets flew and patriots gave their lives for the ideal of freedom" -San Diego Union-Tribune

"The novel's . . . easy, gripping style will enthrall casual readers with what is Llywelyn's best work yet." -Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Review Quotes

"Llywelyn's deft pen is a creative sword." --The Irish American Post

"Morgan Llywelyn has written a wonderful, exciting book - a great reading pleasure." --Irish American News on 1921

"Llywelyn is unexcelled in her knowledge of Irish history and culture. For twenty years she has been my inspiration when it comes to meticulous research and respect for the people who lived her stories. Now, with considerable powers of description, Llywelyn explores the nooks and quirks and fearful consequences of a tumultuous time in Irish history." --Lucia St. Clair Robson

About the Author

Since 1980, Morgan Llywelyn has created an entire body of work chronicling the Celts and Ireland, from the earliest times to the present day. Her critically acclaimed novels, both of history and of mythology, have been translated into many languages. She is an Irish citizen and lives in Dublin.