This book is the continuation of the epic "Trinity" or the Larkin family saga into the twentieth century. Liam Larkin leaves Ireland and settles in New Zealand as a ship farmer. His brother, Conor, becomes a legendary Irish revolutionary and his brother Dary becomes a priest to later leave priesthood and marry. Another Larkin progeny, Liam's son Rory, is acclaimed as a war hero after fighting on the side of the British at Gallipoli. The trouble between fathers and sons continues in this book, but only to resolve amicably at the end with all sides acknowledging their shortcomings.
Tying the story to history is Winston Churchill's voice throughout the book. Also the motifs of strong women, stormy marriages and affairs of the heart and body, differences of cultures, and very strong characters play a forceful role in the plot.

reading in several sittings, since it is close to 900 pages, but it is well worth one's time.

the historical aspects and the strength of characters.

Leon Uris, published his first novel, BATTLE CRY, when he was 29. He was born in 1924 in Baltimore, Maryland, to William and Anna Uris. His father was a paperhanger who had immigrated from Poland. He was educated in schools in Maryland and Virginia, but he never graduated from high school. He was in the Marines and served in the South Pacific and New Zealand during World War II. After 1950 He became a full time writer.
Besides Redemption, Leon Uris also wrote a screenplay, GUNFIGHT AT THE OK CORRAL. His novels, EXODUS, Trinity, The Haj, Qb VII, Mila 18 and Topaz gained international recognition.

it is good look into history --although I found some facts to be one-sided-- and into the many well-rounded characters. To fill a book with so many well-developed, bigger than life characters points to a genius holding the pen.

This book stays in the shadow of Trinity. The fight of the Irish for freedom gets muddled a bit by Gallipoli, which is an excellent depiction of war for it shows how unnecessary it is for any empire to try to take over someone else's land. Also the beginning of the book is crowded by the introduction of too many characters. Still it is great writing and well worth the time of history buffs and the connoisseurs of good literature.

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Created Oct 31, 2003 at 5:38pm • Submit your own review...