The book comes with several titles: either
The Rebels of Ireland: The Dublin Sagaor
Ireland: Awakeningor
Dublin: Ascendancy
I found that this book not only made a very nice reading but also I learned a lot about the strange history of Ireland, being a British colony -- not in Asia, but in Europe. I was deeply moved by the story of Maureen and her little brother Daniel in the Famine chapter; this reminded me of the story of Lucy and her little brother in the Lavender Hill chapter in London.
I was surprised that in this otherwise flawless book there are several mistakes at the end. One wonders what has happened here.
Here is a published review:
Rutherfurd concludes his stirring Dublin Saga with
a sweeping follow-up to his widely praised and popular
The Princes of Ireland (2004). Taking up where he
left off with the ill-fated Irish revolt of 1534, he conducts
the reader on a whirlwind journey through the often-twisted annals
of Irish history. After the British conquest of Ireland is complete
and the installation of the "plantation" system tolls the death
knell of Irish autonomy, the die is cast in a centuries-long
political and spiritual quest for either independence or security.
Told from the diverse viewpoints of several interrelated families,
this epic recounting of the often tragic fate of one nation under
two banners is transformed into an irresistible multigenerational
chronicle featuring huge servings of romance, action, conflict,
intrigue, and adventure. Ambitious in scope, teeming with a huge
cast of finely drawn and realized characters, and dripping with
authentic historical detail, this lengthy but eminently readable
narrative will satisfy the appetites of discerning historical fiction aficionados.
The previous volumes in the series have proven very popular, and the latest
installment should follow suit.
Margaret Flanagan
Copyright © American Library Association.
All rights reserved
See also the other reviews at Amazon.com
Last updated May 2006