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Dublin
by: Edward Rutherfurd

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Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780099279082
ISBN: 0099279088
Label: Arrow Books Ltd
Manufacturer: Arrow Books Ltd
Number Of Pages: 1216
Publication Date: May 05, 2005
Publisher: Arrow Books Ltd
Studio: Arrow Books Ltd
Sales Rank: 21402

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Editorial Review:

Amazon.co.uk 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

Customer Reviews

Average Rating: out of 5 stars

Rating:

- Ireland Awakening - A History that can be Understood
For all that I have a history degree and have studied various periods and aspects of history quite extensively, I have always struggled to get a clear understanding of which Irish hero or villain did what. Whom exactly was Cromwell fighting against when he paid his historic visit in the early 1650s? What was Wolfe Tone, a man now honoured by a statue at one corner of St Stephens Green, actually fighting for? Which of the many battles were sectarian, which for the whole of Ireland? Etc.

A friend recommended Rutherfurd's Ireland Awakening, and I am writing this review to say that his recommendation was spot on. As soon as I had finished reading the book I passed it on to my wife. She went further than me, in that as soon as she had ... Read More:

Rating:

- Typically absorbing
A typically absorbing Rutherfurd epic, though it's not clear why he decided to end the narrative in 1923. I learned a lot about Irish history from this and it has sparked my interest to read more.

Other minor criticism: unlike most of his other works, there is no author's note saying which parts are fact, which fiction.

Rating:

- A real disappointment
This is such a shame. Fans of Rutherfurd, like myself will know what to expect, a tale that follows the action based in Dublin through history charting the development of the city and surroundings through a number of dynasties.

I first tried Rutherfurd with the publication of London and loved it, some great historical insights combined with cracking good self contained yarns. I quickly bought Sarum and Russka and loved them too. The Forest continued his excellent form - you really did not notice how long the books were as they were such page turners.

You will understand my great excitement when this book was published and i found................. a painful read. For the first time Rutherfurd is plodding and ponderous, ... Read More:

Rating:

- Over-long but readable
I have read and thoroughly enjoyed all of Edward Rutherfurd's previous novels. I therefore approached this one expecting it to be as enthralling and spellbinding as (most of) the others. Unfortunately, by the time I had struggled with the first 200 or so pages (out of 863) I found myself wishing it was over. Rutherfurd always follows the same formula for his novels - tracing various families through the centuries and observing their fluctuating fortunes. But until this one, he has always contained the saga within one volume. This one follows on directly from his previous novel, Dublin, and more than once while reading it I found myself wondering if the whole story could (should?) have been condensed into one volume. Rutherfurd obviously has a very ... Read More:

Rating:

- History at last!
Edward Rutherfurd in his books on Russia, Sarum, London, and the Forest captures a mood, the mood is not always positive but positively believeable like all true history, and great fiction, should be.
It would not take much to be frightened of writing a balanced history from ALL the different perspectives when dealing with an often turbulent past as has Ireland. A brave, balanced and brilliant effort.
Thank you Mr Rutherfurd for giving us a history!

Books : Dublin