Rutherfurd's epic style, famously exercised in his dramatic accounts of Sarum, Russia and London, makes this saga, set against the backdrop of the great events of Irish history, so readable and moving. With the help of some of the country's leading historians, Rutherfurd has unearthed many curious gems that overturn our traditionally perceived notions of Ireland's past: - There were significant numbers of English people in early Ireland - they were actually slaves to the Irish Patrick was not a name the Irish ever used until modern times. For centuries, the saint's name was held in such reverence that the Irish would only call themselves Gilpatrick, which means 'servant of Patrick'. It was the one and only English Pope who first told the English King to conquer Christian Ireland in the Middle Ages. St Stephen's Green is the well-known centre of fashionable Dublin and is named after a small leper hospital that used to be there; Leopardstown racecourse is so-called because the land it is on also belonged to a leper hospital. The people in Ireland who most hated the Reformation were actually the English in Ireland, who were the strictest Catholics at that time.
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Amazon Review
Few authors are as ambitious as Edward Rutherford. And Dublin: Foundation, the first of a massive two-part epic, is possibly Rutherford's most challenging undertaking yet--and (on the evidence of this first book) could well be his most considerable achievement. Rutherford's sheer readability belies his obvious seriousness. His arm-straining volumes may cover every possible variety of human experience (couched in historical backgrounds of immense detail and authenticity), but he remains a storyteller of no mean skills. From the early books that made his name (notably the much-acclaimed Sarum), through to the more recent blockbuster London, the author has combined a panoramic, Homeric vision with a James-Joyce like concentration on the minutiae of everyday life; the results of this synthesis are brought to perfectly honed effect in Dublin: Foundation.
Parallels with Joyce's Dublin are not appropriate here, though. The scope is far wider and stretches back into history. Beginning in Pre-Christian Ireland as the Kings of Tara reigned autocratically, we encounter the lovers Prince Conall and the beautiful Deidre. An army sized dramatis personae surround the lovers, representing every player in a turbulent era. We are shown many of the key events in Irish history, with parts for Saint Patrick, the Nordic savagery of the Vikings and the battles with the cunning Henry VIII. As this operatic volume ends with the approach of the Reformation, the orchestration of narrative commands total respect. --Barry Forshaw
Review
The author bounds excitingly through Irish history...there is much action, some grinding poverty and violence, and an excitement that Rutherford keeps racing through 863 pages. His fictional characters become as vivid as the real life Irish heroes who stride the plot-cum-history (Daily Express )
This is historical fiction and family saga on a grand scale (The Good Book Guide )
The characters are expertly sketched through the lens of love, loss, rebellion andcommerce...an absorbing and enjoyable read (The Sunday Business Post )
Rutherford delivers on what is promised...(he) handles difficult material accurately and well...his ability to maintain a healthy narrative pace with an engaging popular style distinguishes Ireland Awakening as one of the better epic histprical novels (Evening Herald )
Riveting sequel (The Irish Post ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
This is historical fiction and family saga on a grand scale (The Good Book Guide )
The characters are expertly sketched through the lens of love, loss, rebellion andcommerce...an absorbing and enjoyable read (The Sunday Business Post )
Rutherford delivers on what is promised...(he) handles difficult material accurately and well...his ability to maintain a healthy narrative pace with an engaging popular style distinguishes Ireland Awakening as one of the better epic histprical novels (Evening Herald )
Riveting sequel (The Irish Post ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this book on a whim waiting for a flight. I could not put it down. This is an engaging book, do not be put off by the size of this novel. I will be purchasing the sequel as I must know how the future generations continue their prideful journeys.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
For readers of his other works the format is just the same as before i.e. telling the stories via generations of families with the pluses and minus associated with it. In my case the gripe would be the the disappearance of a character whose exploits I particularly enjoyed.
Nevertheless, the real story is about Dublin and I believe the author has managed to create a much more interesting and detailed picture of Dublin life (and that of counties) than in "London". This may be because Dublin is smaller and thus the reader is able to keep better track of unfamiliar places and how they evolve over time. Either way, it is very well done.
Unfortunately, much of the early parts are comprised of patchy historic records and thus the author has scope for poetic licence which is used in abundance. As a result the book could have done with a bit more editing at the beginning to prevent it drifting. This is in stark contrast to the harshness and succinct writing towards the end whilst Ireland was under the English Monarchy and clearly more historic literature was available.
I would recommend this book just for a better understanding of how the English asserted their dominance on foreign lands by encouraging the local power brokers to sign up to something they didn't really understand the full consequences of - a ploy used again and again during the building of the Empire.
All in all a great book and I look forward to part two which I hope will continue in the same vein as part one finished.
28 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By Stephen Hampshire
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
I have to admit that I was initially put off both by the cheek of this book trying to cover so much history, and by the sheer size of it! I eventually got over that reaction mainly because the early history of Ireland is one of my fascinations, and I'm very glad I did.
I think Dublin can best be thought of as a series of much shorter novels, rather than a monolothic whole. Each of those mini novels is fascinating from a historical perspective and utterly compelling as a work of fiction. The author really does have the knack of painting full characters very quickly, and they draw you into the story.
The only criticism I would have is that the bridging sections between those mini-novels are sometimes a little awkward, reading like a clumsy history lesson. A couple of times I noticed myself being forcibly reminded of the author's presence in these sections before being sucked into another wonderful story.
In summary, though, Dublin is an excellent book - one you'll read much quicker than you expect to!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A very highly enjoyable read
This is another of Edward Rutherfurd's magnificent historical sagas; his way of writing of historical events, interwoven with a number of fictional families, which he uses to... Read more
Published 14 days ago by Christine T
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dublin
A really good book, one of a set of books about different cities - all of them excellent. A good read
Published 24 days ago by Mrs. Marion Balderstone
5.0 out of 5 stars
A novel of Ireland
Edward Rutherford has proved with such novels as Russka , Sarum , London and The Forest , that he is a great historical novelist in the mould of James Michener. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Gary Selikow
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good read
This is a very readable book which also provides a history of early Ireland. Good background reading for a history student.
Published 2 months ago by Fizz's Mum
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well pleased
It was in very good condition and I had never heard of it until I searhed for Ireland Awakening by the same author
Published 3 months ago by Martin Lee
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very good
Any one who likes historical fiction u learn about other people's pasts and there way of living takes you through time.
Published 4 months ago by Ken Wilson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable
This was a thoroughly rewarding read, and on the strength of which I did revisit Ireland again after reading book with intention of visiting some of the places as mentioned in... Read more
Published 4 months ago by gabriel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rutherfurd fan
Another excellent book, I spend a great deal of time in Ireland on business and the insight from the book only adds to t my apprieciation and interest in this wonderful country
Published 4 months ago by Colin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dublin - Edward Rutherfurd
Yet another of this exciting and fascinating series of historical novels, written after extensive research, so that you get the feel for the period and its history without any... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Rosie Bryant
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gripping Tale
What a brilliant read! The author must have really gone out of his way to get the historical facts just right.
Published 9 months ago by lizzie
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