Morgan Llywelyn’s historical novel, 1916, is a wonderful and informative presentation of the Easter uprising of the Irish patriots against their conquerors, the powerful British Empire. The events are all well documented in the Notes and Bibliography at the end of the book, and the characters, both historic and fictional, are described in detail in her Dramatis Personae in the front of the novel. Ned Halloran, the main character, is an idealistic young man who falls in love with a prostitute and adopts a homeless child. His sister, Kathleen, has immigrated to America and is married to an abusive husband. It is through her close relationship to a Catholic priest that she discovers true love. The fictional characters, as well as the historic ones, “sworn to be free”, must follow their dreams or live a life of regrets. If you want to experience the emotional Ireland, then this is certainly the book to read.
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