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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
HISTORY TELLS WHAT HAPPENED, FICTION TELLS HOW IT FELT, August 12, 2001
In this sequel to her powerful novel, 1916, Morgan Llywelyn revisits the Irish struggle for independence. Although Ned Halloran, the main character in 1916, continues to be an important character in this book, this is the story of the events of 1916-1922 as seen through the eyes of Ned's friend, journalist Henry Mooney. Via a journalist's eyes the reader is treated to a very personal view of the events in the aftermath of the 1916 Easter Rising and Ireland's struggle for independence. As a journalist, Henry is privy to a lot of private information - some he isn't even able to print. In 1921 the events become more than just dates and places and the people involved more than just names. They become very real to the reader as Henry finds himself smack dab in the middle of much of the action. His friendship with Michael Collins is at the forefront of the story, but as Henry tries his best to remain neutral after the treaty is signed, it is clear it is going to be very difficult for him to do so. There's romance for Henry as well. He falls for widow Ella Rutledge, an Irish native of English ancestry, a protestant whose family allegiance lies with the British. Will he ever find true happiness with the beautiful, intelligent young woman when her family feels like they do? I was surprised to see that Llywelyn used Henry as the protagonist instead of Ned, but I applaud her for doing this as in so doing she was able to give a more objective point of view - something that might appear very difficult to do. Even though the reader may be aware of many of the historical events, he/she is still stunned at the brutality and the atrocities of war in a story which it is difficult to know which side to sympathize with as horrible, unspeakable acts of brutality were carried out by both sides. It becomes clear it isn't as simple as Catholics vs. Protestants. By the time the reader finishes these two novels (1916 and 1921) they are certain to have a better understanding of today's Irish "Troubles" -- although understanding doesn't mean condoning the violence. One can only hope that Llywelyn is planning to continue this series as has done such a spectacular job and as Henry tells Ned, "History tells what happened; literature tells what it felt like."
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
1921, March 18, 2001
I am astonished at PW's thinking this latest work of Llywelyn's went into too much detail. I just finished 1921 and found it every bit as fascinating and compelling, as unforgetable, as 1916. She takes a very complicated situation, many historical events and by using Henry Moody as an observer, helps to clarify what happened, why it happened, the motivations and feelings, the fears and the almost incomprehensible tradgedy of the civil war. Henry Moody serves as a continuous thread, and helps bring a cohesivness to the story; but more than that he helps the reader to understand the very important emotions, and men that drove so many events. I had recently read a bio of De Valera, and thanks to 1921, I was better able to "fit" him into the total picture. I found it both fun and helpful to find the places on the map that were described. I think she pulls it all together and still manages to encompass a magnitude of historical events and the people involved. Tedious? Hardly!! The only ambivalence I felt was not being able to put it down, yet at the same time not wanting it to end~~~~I cannot WAIT for her next one!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Llywelyn offers up a compelling history but little else, March 29, 2004
This review is from: 1921: The Great Novel of the Irish Civil War (Irish Century) (Mass Market Paperback)
Morgan Llywelyn has made a franchise out of Irish history and mythology, providing fictionalized accounts of many major events and figures. "1921" continues in this vein, another painstaking blend of history and fiction. Llywelyn picks up almost where her prequel "1916" left off and follows the Irish struggle for total independence from the United Kingdom. Told from the perspective of newspaper reporter Henry Mooney, Llywelyn gives an insider's view of the efforts to secure an Irish Free State. She does well characterizing historical figures such as the enigmatic Eamon de Valera and the complicated, charismatic Michael Collins, but where she falters is in her original creations. The same cliches that plagued "1916" abound in "1921"--the plucky Irish speak in cadences heard more often in Hollywood than Limerick and the fictional subplots quickly devolve into predictable melodrama. Henry Mooney is a bit of a wet blanket hiding behind a byline, which he uses to spread anti-British sentiment without taking arms. His good friend, Ned Halloran (who was the focus of "1916") becomes deeply involved in the IRA, encouraged by his wife Sile Duffy, a red-haired stereotype of the fiery Irish woman. Henry's wooing of the rich Anglo-Irish widow Ella Rutledge is a meandering, ultimately unsatisfying distraction, and the cloyingly precocious, one-dimensional Ursula "Precious" Halloran, Ned and Sile's adopted daughter, does little more than annoy. Making Henry Mooney the eyewitness to history is quite helpful, if a bit coincidental, but the subplots involving these characters add little to the novel. Llywelyn sprinkles the book with carefully-footnoted Irish slang and expressions as well as historical citations, perhaps to establish her credibility, a gesture that seems a bit excessive. Llywelyn has already shown her gifts as an historian. Her meticulous recreation helps clarify a dense, complex chain of events. Where she needs help is in the writing itself. When not recreating history, Llywelyn seems out of her depth. Anyone who seeks a narrative-driven account of the Irish fight for independence will likely find this book informative and enjoyable. Those expecting Llywelyn to create a work that is as poetic and artful as it is exhaustively researched will probably be disappointed.
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