2007 International Impac Dublin Literary Award shortlisted author, Sebastian Barry serves up a wonderfully written story of Willie Dunne, a young Dubliner who volunteers to go to fight in World War I.
Willie's father is a police inspector from Dublin Castle whose life is filled with duty and loyalty. Willie's relationship with him is strained while away at the front and news of the aftermath of the 1916 rebellion in Dublin filters through.
The novel tells the story of an uncomplicated man in a complicated time. Its simplicity of style is beguiling, telling us only what Willie knows or hears and sharing with us the confusion of war and the experience of the ordinary man. I feel this book will be seen in later years as an important milestone in Barry's career and in Ireland's attitude to its Colonial past. Couldn't put it down.
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