Thoroughly enjoyable

Without reservation or caveat I highly recommend this book along with its sequel, Ireland Awakening. The story lines are gripping, and the historical detail is fascinating. It is also flawlessly and superbly narrated by Patrick Moy. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is as good as London by the same author and better than Paris. If you are in any doubt whether or not to buy this book, doubt no longer. Get it! You won't be disappointed.

11 people found this helpful

Intriguing but a little confusing

Whilst not as good as Sarum and London I still enjoyed this book.
Rather slow at the beginning it’s well worth persevering with as the story gets more interesting.

5 people found this helpful

Great Yarn

I know absolutely nothing of Irish history and so this was just a good listen! It serms from the footnotes that the odd bits of chronological history are genuine but interwoven with a cracking good yarn. There were, unfortunately a few parts I found rather dull, but on the whole it hangs together quite well. A few minor inaccuracies i.e nutmeg is not a herb, it is a spice which grows on a tree. Unlikely to have been found in this part of the world and certainly not amid the parsley! Strange that editing did not pick this up!

4 people found this helpful

Sludgily sentimental bilge

I really enjoyed reading Paris, London and Sarem and was looking forward to this hugely. But twice I have tried and twice I have failed to get more than 5 hours in. To say the first story is glacially slow, utterly unengaging and cloyingly sentimental would be kind. I’m not sure whether the reader or writer is more to blame, but certainly the over sincere folksy narration made me too angry to continue.

4 people found this helpful

Great insight to Ireland’s early history

As usual author gives a very good insight to the history of his subject. Enjoyed his series of Sarum and was pleased that he had written books of other areas and countries. He brings the characters to life and paints a great view of the settings. Although long they are never boring and always sad when I come to the end.

2 people found this helpful

Excellent

Having listened to this and the concuding book in the Dublin series I have no hesitation in highly recommending both books. The wonderful performance by Patrick Moy was excellent and mesmerising.

1 person found this helpful

Good book

I liked the thread throughout the story of the various families and the constant upheaval in Ireland must have been challenging

Tried hard to listen, gave up

This is my least favourite Rutherford so far, and I listened to China! These books seem to have become more sentimental and melodramatic (or perhaps I'm just more aware of those elements of the novels) and less historically interesting... I'm not sure why this book was so difficult to listen to, but I made it about 5 hours in and decided to give up. I don't think I'll bother with another, though I will still recommend Sarum and the New Forrest novel to others. Perhaps another time.

slow and repetitive

I love this author but this book just hasn't hit the mark. I must say I haven't finished it because I just got bored. Sorry Edward have loved all your other books

Interminable

It goes on and on and on and on....

Perhaps the team of writers called ‘Edward Rutherfurd’ is getting paid by the word?