Kevin McCarthy (4)
Author of Wolves of Eden: A Novel
For other authors named Kevin McCarthy, see the disambiguation page.
Series
Works by Kevin McCarthy
Associated Works
Down These Green Streets: Irish Crime Writing in the 21st Century (2011) — Contributor — 26 copies, 1 review
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Gender
- male
- Agent
- Jonathan Williams Literary Agency
- Short biography
- Kevin McCarthy is the author of the highly acclaimed historical crime novel, 'Peeler' (Mercier Press, 2010). Called a '...dark, brooding, morally complex masterpiece...' by the Belfast Telegraph, 'Peeler' was selected by the Irish Times as one of its Top Ten Thrillers of 2010 and as a Read of the Year 2010 by the Philadelphia Inquirer. His short story "Twenty-five and Out" appears in 'Down These Green Streets: Irish Crime Writing in the 21st Century'. Kevin's second novel, 'Irregulars', is published by New Island Press. He is represented by Jonathan Williams Literary Agency.
- Places of residence
- Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland
- Associated Place (for map)
- County Dublin, Ireland
Members
Reviews
(41) This was a powerful work of fiction set around the time of Western expansion of the United States into Native American strongholds in Wyoming and Montana - think Custer's last stand. It is a fiction regarding the investigation of a murder of a sutler and his wife that have a general store and whorehouse right outside of the fort under construction; however, the events that form the backdrop such as the construction of this particular fort to guard white pioneers looking to strike gold show more in Montana from the depredations of the Sioux are true stories. I learned about this from the book's afterward re: Red Cloud's War; a precursor of sorts to The Battle of Little Big Horn. The narration switches from the investigating Jewish sergeant, Kohn, sent with his revered, kindhearted but end-stage alcoholic lieutenant, Malloy to an enlisted Irish Infantry man, Michael O'Driscoll, who sets out to write the truth of the murder from the brig. He writes in a delightful sing-song rough 19th century diction that is hard to describe but is incredibly well done and seems authentic. It is all a bit hard to follow at first and it is hard to know who is who - but it is gripping and affecting as the story takes hold.
This author McCarthy weaves gruesome magic much like another McCarthy author, Cormac, come to think of it. It is that kind of horror that comes at you with few words from otherwise pared-down prose that creates a visceral reaction in the reader. It is horror engendered by masterful crafting of characters the reader cares about. The more I think about this book, the more I like it. Some of Michael's musing are so profound and so, so sad - No consequences to the killing of many brave and good men in government-sanctioned War, but he will hang for the killing of a shitheel and his greedy wife. And his brother Thomas with the face ruined by a minie ball - there is nothing in life that you fear when you have nothing left to live for. . . The half-star off is only for perhaps too many shifts in narration especially toward the end; it began to get just a bit tiresome to change my frame of reference when I was otherwise really engaged. It may have been this readers fault as I was multi-tasking with another book and if I had done more concentrated reading of this novel, I think the experience would have been even better.
McCarthy has potential to be a major talent. In my opinion, this is a prize-worthy Booker/Pulitzer type contender - but what do I know? Highly recommended for lovers of fine literary, albeit gruesome historical fiction. Reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy, Ian McGuire's North Water, and fiction by Jeffery Lent, Charles Frazier to name a few. Chilling. Depressing . . . but I mean that in the best possible way. show less
This author McCarthy weaves gruesome magic much like another McCarthy author, Cormac, come to think of it. It is that kind of horror that comes at you with few words from otherwise pared-down prose that creates a visceral reaction in the reader. It is horror engendered by masterful crafting of characters the reader cares about. The more I think about this book, the more I like it. Some of Michael's musing are so profound and so, so sad - No consequences to the killing of many brave and good men in government-sanctioned War, but he will hang for the killing of a shitheel and his greedy wife. And his brother Thomas with the face ruined by a minie ball - there is nothing in life that you fear when you have nothing left to live for. . . The half-star off is only for perhaps too many shifts in narration especially toward the end; it began to get just a bit tiresome to change my frame of reference when I was otherwise really engaged. It may have been this readers fault as I was multi-tasking with another book and if I had done more concentrated reading of this novel, I think the experience would have been even better.
McCarthy has potential to be a major talent. In my opinion, this is a prize-worthy Booker/Pulitzer type contender - but what do I know? Highly recommended for lovers of fine literary, albeit gruesome historical fiction. Reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy, Ian McGuire's North Water, and fiction by Jeffery Lent, Charles Frazier to name a few. Chilling. Depressing . . . but I mean that in the best possible way. show less
Set in the American frontier of the 1860s, The Wolves of Eden by Kevin McCarthy follows two story-lines that are obviously going to merge. Two Irish immigrant brothers Michael and Tom fought the civil war on the Union side. Now they re-enlist due to economic need and are shipped out west to fight the Sioux and Cheyenne.
The other story line follows an alcoholic Irish Captain and his batman, a Jewish Sergeant as they are assigned to solve a murder mystery that took place at the new Fort Phil show more Kearney in Northern Wyoming. An unscrupulous trader and brothel keeper was struck down along with his wife. Although originally reported as an Indian attack, rumor is strong that they were actually murdered by soldiers of the fort. The Irish brothers become the chief suspects and as such are pursued throughout the story. While the alcoholic Captain is mostly laid up due to an injury, Sergeant Kohn conducts the investigation. The story culminates with the attack that became known as the Fetterman Massacre.
All the military characters were burnt out war veterans, traumatized by their experiences during the American Civil War, and now they find themselves caught up in another terrible war as the Indians fight for their homeland. The two Irish brothers have been exploited, cheated and considered of a lower class while the Jewish Sergeant has had to deal with much the same as well as constantly face antisemitism, while Molloy, the Irish captain is trying to drink himself to death in order to forget the horrors of the war.
With such interesting characters and authentic atmosphere Wolves of Eden was an insightful and well written story that evoked the savage nature of frontier warfare. show less
The other story line follows an alcoholic Irish Captain and his batman, a Jewish Sergeant as they are assigned to solve a murder mystery that took place at the new Fort Phil show more Kearney in Northern Wyoming. An unscrupulous trader and brothel keeper was struck down along with his wife. Although originally reported as an Indian attack, rumor is strong that they were actually murdered by soldiers of the fort. The Irish brothers become the chief suspects and as such are pursued throughout the story. While the alcoholic Captain is mostly laid up due to an injury, Sergeant Kohn conducts the investigation. The story culminates with the attack that became known as the Fetterman Massacre.
All the military characters were burnt out war veterans, traumatized by their experiences during the American Civil War, and now they find themselves caught up in another terrible war as the Indians fight for their homeland. The two Irish brothers have been exploited, cheated and considered of a lower class while the Jewish Sergeant has had to deal with much the same as well as constantly face antisemitism, while Molloy, the Irish captain is trying to drink himself to death in order to forget the horrors of the war.
With such interesting characters and authentic atmosphere Wolves of Eden was an insightful and well written story that evoked the savage nature of frontier warfare. show less
It’s late 1866 at Fort Phil Kearny, Dakota Territory, in the Black Hills. Custer’s Last Stand is still ten years in the future, but as this story begins, massacre is the order of the day. The Sioux and the U.S. Army show no quarter, and murder and mutilation — sometimes in reverse order — harden hearts.
Into this bloodbath come three soldiers from Nebraska, most particularly Captain Molloy and Corporal (later Sergeant) Daniel Kohn. Their orders: to investigate the killing of a sutler show more and his wife, who ran a brothel near the fort. With so much bloodshed going on, it’s a wonder the army would take the trouble to send a mission of inquiry, especially when nobody likes a sutler, a camp merchant who charges extortionate prices for necessaries and amusements alike. Moreover, most of the soldiers are native Irish, including many veterans of the barely concluded Civil War, and they distrust all officials, not least investigators.
Since Captain Molloy, native Irish himself, quickly winds up in the fort’s hospital with a broken leg, he leaves the sleuthing to Kohn. How he’ll fare, and what really happened to the sutler and his wife — as opposed to rumor or appearances — forms the plot.
However, the narrative begins with Michael O’Driscoll, one of two key suspects, writing down in his jail cell the truth as he witnessed it, for Captain Molloy’s eyes. Michael’s brother, Tom, is also implicated in the murder. So Wolves of Eden starts with a prologue and an overused trope, the manuscript that tells all. And this account is written by a man who’s got an eloquent pen and a superb eye for detail, even as he claims he’s hardly lettered.
Despite that, Wolves of Eden works as a tale of hard men in a kill-or-be-killed world. Sometimes you look around in vain for a character with whom to feel sympathy — reader, be advised — but the narrative feels splendidly authentic. I believe this is how the common soldier lived, thought, and fought, and though Michael comes to appreciate his adversaries’ bravery and tenacity, even to toy with the idea that their cause is just, he still hates them, in virulent terms.
There’s a lot of hatred in this novel, which can test a reader’s resolve. But McCarthy performs several valuable services. First and foremost, he exposes the U.S. government’s willingness to exterminate Native Americans for the benefit of gold prospectors or “settlers,” who have entered the territory illegally. Secondly, McCarthy portrays that hatred as the war’s driving force on the ground, and the fighting men feel lonely in their struggle, knowing that only the participants understand what’s going on, certainly not officials at their desks in Washington. Finally, the author gives voice to Irishmen who made up a substantial part of American armies during the 1860s. Throughout, the Civil War lurks in vivid memory, and Michael will never forget it.
Since he’s writing from the fort stockade, the story answers whether he’ll swing for the murders. McCarthy does well keeping the pages turning, though Wolves of Eden isn’t a mystery. He calls it a thriller, but I don’t see that; there are setbacks but few true reversals, and the prologue gives away too much, as they always do.
I believe the Irish characters implicitly and all the soldiers, except Daniel Kohn. He’s supposed to be Jewish, but since he has little inner life to speak of, he could be anybody, despite his ability to speak Yiddish and the constant insults he receives. He has only one redeeming trait, his devotion to his alcoholic captain, whose life he’s trying to save.
Yet since he’s the driving force behind the investigation — which Molloy seems to wish to restrain —Daniel’s single-minded obduracy, which pays little attention to rules of evidence, tickles my cultural antennae. Is he meant to be a Judas, intent on betraying Christian men? Fie. Does he represent the canard about the harsh Jewish God compared to the forgiving, Christian one? Fie again.
I can’t pretend to know what the author intended. All I do know is that I’m put off from reading his other books. show less
Into this bloodbath come three soldiers from Nebraska, most particularly Captain Molloy and Corporal (later Sergeant) Daniel Kohn. Their orders: to investigate the killing of a sutler show more and his wife, who ran a brothel near the fort. With so much bloodshed going on, it’s a wonder the army would take the trouble to send a mission of inquiry, especially when nobody likes a sutler, a camp merchant who charges extortionate prices for necessaries and amusements alike. Moreover, most of the soldiers are native Irish, including many veterans of the barely concluded Civil War, and they distrust all officials, not least investigators.
Since Captain Molloy, native Irish himself, quickly winds up in the fort’s hospital with a broken leg, he leaves the sleuthing to Kohn. How he’ll fare, and what really happened to the sutler and his wife — as opposed to rumor or appearances — forms the plot.
However, the narrative begins with Michael O’Driscoll, one of two key suspects, writing down in his jail cell the truth as he witnessed it, for Captain Molloy’s eyes. Michael’s brother, Tom, is also implicated in the murder. So Wolves of Eden starts with a prologue and an overused trope, the manuscript that tells all. And this account is written by a man who’s got an eloquent pen and a superb eye for detail, even as he claims he’s hardly lettered.
Despite that, Wolves of Eden works as a tale of hard men in a kill-or-be-killed world. Sometimes you look around in vain for a character with whom to feel sympathy — reader, be advised — but the narrative feels splendidly authentic. I believe this is how the common soldier lived, thought, and fought, and though Michael comes to appreciate his adversaries’ bravery and tenacity, even to toy with the idea that their cause is just, he still hates them, in virulent terms.
There’s a lot of hatred in this novel, which can test a reader’s resolve. But McCarthy performs several valuable services. First and foremost, he exposes the U.S. government’s willingness to exterminate Native Americans for the benefit of gold prospectors or “settlers,” who have entered the territory illegally. Secondly, McCarthy portrays that hatred as the war’s driving force on the ground, and the fighting men feel lonely in their struggle, knowing that only the participants understand what’s going on, certainly not officials at their desks in Washington. Finally, the author gives voice to Irishmen who made up a substantial part of American armies during the 1860s. Throughout, the Civil War lurks in vivid memory, and Michael will never forget it.
Since he’s writing from the fort stockade, the story answers whether he’ll swing for the murders. McCarthy does well keeping the pages turning, though Wolves of Eden isn’t a mystery. He calls it a thriller, but I don’t see that; there are setbacks but few true reversals, and the prologue gives away too much, as they always do.
I believe the Irish characters implicitly and all the soldiers, except Daniel Kohn. He’s supposed to be Jewish, but since he has little inner life to speak of, he could be anybody, despite his ability to speak Yiddish and the constant insults he receives. He has only one redeeming trait, his devotion to his alcoholic captain, whose life he’s trying to save.
Yet since he’s the driving force behind the investigation — which Molloy seems to wish to restrain —Daniel’s single-minded obduracy, which pays little attention to rules of evidence, tickles my cultural antennae. Is he meant to be a Judas, intent on betraying Christian men? Fie. Does he represent the canard about the harsh Jewish God compared to the forgiving, Christian one? Fie again.
I can’t pretend to know what the author intended. All I do know is that I’m put off from reading his other books. show less
Irish Brothers in a fast moving true to life tale of the Wild West
I quickly completed this tale of many cultures thrown together in conflict. The point of view was told with two voices; the younger of the lowly brothers writing their tale from his cell, and a loyal and capable right hand man to a traveling officer recording their mystery solving mission for a General back East. The 2 immigrant brothers have survived the Civil War and are now experienced soldiers with hearts tired of the show more battlefield. They have come to find a raw truth - fighting is their last and only choice to feed themselves - but their welfare will depend more on helping each other survive than trusting their beleaguered military superiors. In this western section of the new country they have chosen, their past war experience of a twisted morality and a justice for the privileged few has followed them. Soldiers and Lumbermen are the only workmen fit for this territory, he concludes, as softer men are failing miserably. Sadness of heart and soul may be temporarily dulled by liquor, or for some - hired women, but the healing memories of home, a brother by your side, a comrade who speaks your language, or an innocent newby to look out for bring slivers of hope and light into this story. As dark hearts reveal themselves and evil deeds are witnessed against the helpless and innocent, the second soldier’s POV of a driving obsession to complete his mission is revealed. Will he continue and punish the 2 defenders of the oppressed? This story will have you questioning not only the order of our society, but the possible reality that this may not be an unusual occurrence. The second soldier’s work ethic and straight arrow following of the law and his orders from above are not the things you would usually question. But, you may find your eyes open to the truth of supporting acts against humanity by those in power, and how our systems of law and government have and still do actively support selective violence for the benefit of the privileged. My husband and I both read this story, and both enjoyed the author’s voice and pace, along with the thematic tie ins that were inferred and not preachy, so I hope my review did not make it sound that way. If you like American history or a variety of cultures and socio-economic levels with characters, or immersion in Western or Military stories, or brotherly love, you will like this story. show less
I quickly completed this tale of many cultures thrown together in conflict. The point of view was told with two voices; the younger of the lowly brothers writing their tale from his cell, and a loyal and capable right hand man to a traveling officer recording their mystery solving mission for a General back East. The 2 immigrant brothers have survived the Civil War and are now experienced soldiers with hearts tired of the show more battlefield. They have come to find a raw truth - fighting is their last and only choice to feed themselves - but their welfare will depend more on helping each other survive than trusting their beleaguered military superiors. In this western section of the new country they have chosen, their past war experience of a twisted morality and a justice for the privileged few has followed them. Soldiers and Lumbermen are the only workmen fit for this territory, he concludes, as softer men are failing miserably. Sadness of heart and soul may be temporarily dulled by liquor, or for some - hired women, but the healing memories of home, a brother by your side, a comrade who speaks your language, or an innocent newby to look out for bring slivers of hope and light into this story. As dark hearts reveal themselves and evil deeds are witnessed against the helpless and innocent, the second soldier’s POV of a driving obsession to complete his mission is revealed. Will he continue and punish the 2 defenders of the oppressed? This story will have you questioning not only the order of our society, but the possible reality that this may not be an unusual occurrence. The second soldier’s work ethic and straight arrow following of the law and his orders from above are not the things you would usually question. But, you may find your eyes open to the truth of supporting acts against humanity by those in power, and how our systems of law and government have and still do actively support selective violence for the benefit of the privileged. My husband and I both read this story, and both enjoyed the author’s voice and pace, along with the thematic tie ins that were inferred and not preachy, so I hope my review did not make it sound that way. If you like American history or a variety of cultures and socio-economic levels with characters, or immersion in Western or Military stories, or brotherly love, you will like this story. show less
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- 4
- Also by
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- #141,735
- Rating
- 4.1
- Reviews
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