Alan Monaghan

In the year of the centennial of the Easter Rising, The Soldier’s Farewell stands as a different story since it addresses what came after the Rising… a time of tragedy and civil war that is rarely explored.
It is a very intense part of Irish history, still I had a hard time feeling involved because I never truly connected with the characters. I had the feeling that most of these characters – and quite a few are historical figures – merely floated with the current of history but show more didn’t’ really have a personal goal.

Even Stephen, the main character, who’s really an interesting character in theory, in practice always seems to do what history asks of him, but never seems to choose his personal path.
Which is quite a shame. A veteran of WWI, which is fought in the British Army, then a fighter for Ireland’s independence alongside Michael Collins, he’s the right character to give the feeling of confusion, anger and the sense of betrayal of a nation reaped up from within. It didn’t’ quite happen. I never truly felt an emotional connection with him, because he never really shared his feelings about his choices.

Quite a shame. I could have loved this novel. I just merely liked it. show less

I was intrigued with this book. The scene was different - Ireland's participation in the First World War, whilst having to face the start of the Irish rebellion on home ground at the same time. The author kept the scenes short, otherwise it could have been a long, dreary recount of a pointless war which has been written about so often. I liked his unemotional approach to the characters otherwise it could have turned into a tear-jerker or women's romance. I look forward to reading the next show more book in the trilogy. show less