1921

A Novel of the Irish Century (Irish Century Series, Book 2)

By: Morgan Llywelyn

Narrated by: Mil Nicholson

The struggle of the Irish people for independence is one of the epic tales of the 20th century. Morgan Llywelyn has chosen it as the subject of her major work, The Irish Century, a multi-novel chronicle that began with 1916, and now continues in 1921, both a story and a history.

The two big historical names in 1921 are Eamon de Valera and Michael Collins, both famous, mysterious, and familiar Irish figures.

The year 1921 is the year of the Irish Civil War and the year of the separation of Ireland into two nations, south and north. The central character is Henry Mooney, a journalist (based upon the author's grandfather), who struggles for truth in his reporting during the terrible conflict, and falls in love with an Englishwoman in Ireland in the midst of political and military horrors.

©2001 Morgan Llywelyn (P)2021 Tantor

Accurate reporting of the history.

Accurate reporting of the history. Brings back the stories my mother told me. Mother and Grandmother were Womens IRA. East Clare Brigade. The beating hooves of the Black and Tans. I was glued to the story. The author explained the almost obsession for irish freedom even if you had immigrated. Thanks

Excellent story!

Excellent story of rebellious Ireland and the brave people who fought for Independence!
Such a great retelling of a tumultuous time!

History of Ireland brought to life

I like the way it tied events happening outside Ireland during the story from hydropower to the rise of Hitler

Heavy history but beautiful story

This is told in a way that you hear the dates, events, and names yet you feel what the characters might have felt. It’s heavy. It’s long. It’s terribly involved. It brings to the surface just how much has been mucked over with pretty platitudes.

Great

Another good rendition of historical fiction by this author. It is well told personal yet historically accurate.

Erin go bragh

So tragic and beautifully told that one almost feels guilty with the enjoyment. Real history should always be told with this authors passion for getting the history right and the prose narrative sublime. Starting 1949 now!

A great listen,historical fiction,performance was terrific,can’t wait to listen to the next one

A great listen,historical fiction,I’m looking forward to next book in this series,the performance was terrific

Kevin McCormick

This story takes actual events in the times and locations where they actually happened and places a fictional character in the middle of those events. It brings to life and clarifies the history some of these “reviewers” are too lazy and insipid to appreciate. Thank you. I’ll listen to it again and it will direct further study. I enjoyed it immensely.

Lost a Step from 1916

1921 picks up where 1916 left off - from the aftermath of the Easter Rising to the termination of the Irish Civil War. It basically follows the same events portrayed in the acclaimed movie, “Michael Collins.” However, 1921 lacks some of the energy present in 1916, maybe because I have seen the movie several times. The narration is still good but with the exception of voicing the child, which I again found to be dreadful and hugely annoying. Unfortunately, the child had more speaking parts in 1921 than in 1916. While I enjoyed 1916, my recommendation for 1921 is a bit lukewarm. I will not be reading 1949 or 1972.

Too much reading of names dates and places, not enough *story* to carry it!

Like the last book there are large sections of this one that are just like reading (or in this case, listening) to a straight history book with names and dates and actions happening. This is not historical fiction—this is just historical. Fortunately it felt like we got a little more fiction story in this one but not enough for me to recommend this. I wish I hadn’t bought the whole series because now I’m just listening out of obligation instead of enjoying them!