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Parnell: A Novel
This book is a dramatization of the key events in the legend of Parnell, from entering Parliament as a nervous speaker, to becoming the "uncrowned king of Ireland." The struggles of the Land League are played out in cinematic fashion, and the courtroom scenes are powerful and utterly compelling. This book manages to be highly detailed in terms of historical accuracy, yet still retain the pace and momentum needed to engage the reader. This book has all the potential to become a long-running classic of Irish historical fiction.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 1, 2018
Charles Stewart Parnell is an Irish hero, a preeminent political warrior who sparred with politicians like Disraeli and Gladstone. This story of his life is narrated by his secretary and friend, James Harrison, and deals with his political exploits in the House of Commons where he fought to bring Home Rule to the Irish.
Parnell came from a wealthy landowner family in Ireland (his mother was American) and he was not like others of his class. He entered politics at the age of twenty-nine. He wasn't a fiery speaker, possibly not even a great one when speeches defined a politician, but he was resolute to the point of obduracy and knew how to wield Parliamentary rules to his benefit. He managed to obstruct Parliament until he got some of what he wanted for Ireland, despite being jailed by his political enemies. And then he lost it all because of his love for a woman.
I found the details of the politics fascinating, especially as how it relates to our current political situation. In a way, Parnell was the Mitch McConnell of his time, using Parliamentary rules and customs when he could and ramming other bills through when nothing else worked. He ruled his Home Rule party with an iron fist which ultimately led to his downfall when he couldn't concede he was in the wrong about his adulterous affair.
I learned a lot from reading this book, but two things stand out: one of the chief architects of Parnell's downfall was Joseph Chamberlain, father of Neville, and the word boycott comes from a technique used by the Irish Land League against a landlord who was evicting his tenants, a Captain Boycott who subsequently lent his name to history.
Regardless, Parnell is an Irish hero. By the way, I've been to see Parnell's cell in Kilmainham Gaol and his grave, which rests in Glasnevin Cemetery on a cholera pit holding thousands of Irish victims and is marked merely by a boulder with only Parnell inscribed upon it. (If you're in Dublin, take the tours of Kilmainham Gaol and Glasnevin Cemetery; they're both fabulous). Parnell died young at age forty-five, worn out by the seven months in jail and his arduous efforts on behalf of the Irish people. His funeral was attended by over 200,000 people.
Gladstone described him: "Parnell was the most remarkable man I ever met. I do not say the ablest man; I say the most remarkable and the most interesting. He was an intellectual phenomenon." Liberal leader H. H. Asquith called him one of the three or four greatest men of the 19th century, while Lord Haldane described him as the strongest man the House of Commons had seen in 150 years. Historian A. J. P. Taylor says, "More than any other man he gave Ireland the sense of being an independent nation."
Parnell came from a wealthy landowner family in Ireland (his mother was American) and he was not like others of his class. He entered politics at the age of twenty-nine. He wasn't a fiery speaker, possibly not even a great one when speeches defined a politician, but he was resolute to the point of obduracy and knew how to wield Parliamentary rules to his benefit. He managed to obstruct Parliament until he got some of what he wanted for Ireland, despite being jailed by his political enemies. And then he lost it all because of his love for a woman.
I found the details of the politics fascinating, especially as how it relates to our current political situation. In a way, Parnell was the Mitch McConnell of his time, using Parliamentary rules and customs when he could and ramming other bills through when nothing else worked. He ruled his Home Rule party with an iron fist which ultimately led to his downfall when he couldn't concede he was in the wrong about his adulterous affair.
I learned a lot from reading this book, but two things stand out: one of the chief architects of Parnell's downfall was Joseph Chamberlain, father of Neville, and the word boycott comes from a technique used by the Irish Land League against a landlord who was evicting his tenants, a Captain Boycott who subsequently lent his name to history.
Regardless, Parnell is an Irish hero. By the way, I've been to see Parnell's cell in Kilmainham Gaol and his grave, which rests in Glasnevin Cemetery on a cholera pit holding thousands of Irish victims and is marked merely by a boulder with only Parnell inscribed upon it. (If you're in Dublin, take the tours of Kilmainham Gaol and Glasnevin Cemetery; they're both fabulous). Parnell died young at age forty-five, worn out by the seven months in jail and his arduous efforts on behalf of the Irish people. His funeral was attended by over 200,000 people.
Gladstone described him: "Parnell was the most remarkable man I ever met. I do not say the ablest man; I say the most remarkable and the most interesting. He was an intellectual phenomenon." Liberal leader H. H. Asquith called him one of the three or four greatest men of the 19th century, while Lord Haldane described him as the strongest man the House of Commons had seen in 150 years. Historian A. J. P. Taylor says, "More than any other man he gave Ireland the sense of being an independent nation."
October 30, 2017
The volume is about the iconic Irish figure Charles Parnell. Due to the author’s wondrous writing style after the 50 pages, I couldn’t let go of the book.
The story is narrated by a fictional character, named James Harrison, who starts working as Mr Parnell’s secretary just before March 1874, when the future leader of Ireland, then at only 26 years old, speaks in public for the first time, humiliating himself due to the emotions. Since this moment the author takes you to the next 16 years of the epochal events for Ireland all the way through Parnell’s stupid decay created by the rules of conducts at the time he lived and finally his death.
The book is not an easy lecture, but I recommend it to be read by anyone because it is more than a history lesson. It is a book that it will stick to your heart and mind for a long time.
The story is narrated by a fictional character, named James Harrison, who starts working as Mr Parnell’s secretary just before March 1874, when the future leader of Ireland, then at only 26 years old, speaks in public for the first time, humiliating himself due to the emotions. Since this moment the author takes you to the next 16 years of the epochal events for Ireland all the way through Parnell’s stupid decay created by the rules of conducts at the time he lived and finally his death.
The book is not an easy lecture, but I recommend it to be read by anyone because it is more than a history lesson. It is a book that it will stick to your heart and mind for a long time.
January 20, 2023
Engaging, entertaining and written in a style that lends intimate insight into Parnell's unique character and political feats. I was worried that this book would be politically heavy but I pleasantly surprised. A stirring and moving narrative combined, where appropriate with laugh out loud humour. Loved it!
February 5, 2014
This book is a beautiful and moving reconstruction of the political career of Charles Stewart Parnell and his ultimate betrayal by the men he had mentored to positions of power and influence in Britain's Parliament.
The highly readable story is narrated using the device of a fictional personal secretary - James Harrison - and through his eyes we have a perfect vantage point from which to observe the moves, countermoves, betrayals, intrigues and the shifting allegiences of powerful men in the mother of all parliaments.
I have read many books about Parnell and the events surrounding his extraordinary rise to power, his iron will as he demanded total loyalty, his championing of the device of parliamentary obstruction, his wringing of concessions out of obdurate British politicians to his ultimate deposing as leader of the Irish Party and his illness and death in Brighton in 1891, but this book brings Parnell to life in a way no other book has for me.
Despite being very familiar with the story and it's tragic ending this book held me spellbound to the last fullstop. I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in this period of Irish history.
The highly readable story is narrated using the device of a fictional personal secretary - James Harrison - and through his eyes we have a perfect vantage point from which to observe the moves, countermoves, betrayals, intrigues and the shifting allegiences of powerful men in the mother of all parliaments.
I have read many books about Parnell and the events surrounding his extraordinary rise to power, his iron will as he demanded total loyalty, his championing of the device of parliamentary obstruction, his wringing of concessions out of obdurate British politicians to his ultimate deposing as leader of the Irish Party and his illness and death in Brighton in 1891, but this book brings Parnell to life in a way no other book has for me.
Despite being very familiar with the story and it's tragic ending this book held me spellbound to the last fullstop. I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in this period of Irish history.
January 30, 2016
A fictionalised retelling of the true story of Uncrowned King of Ireland. Charles Stewart Parnell strove for Home Rule for Ireland in the late nineteenth century, and used extraordinary powers of disruption in the British House of Commons to further this cause. William Gladstone called him the most remarkable person he ever met.
But it was Parnell's private life that would prove his undoing. In a profoundly Catholic Ireland, he fell in love with the separated wife of a colleague. Unwilling to live without his soulmate, the revered status he spent his life earning was threatened.
I loved this fictional account of the life of a true Irish hero. Although it's probably impossible to know how close to the truth the truly personal moments are, it most definitely parallels the documented course of Irish history. A fantastic read.
But it was Parnell's private life that would prove his undoing. In a profoundly Catholic Ireland, he fell in love with the separated wife of a colleague. Unwilling to live without his soulmate, the revered status he spent his life earning was threatened.
I loved this fictional account of the life of a true Irish hero. Although it's probably impossible to know how close to the truth the truly personal moments are, it most definitely parallels the documented course of Irish history. A fantastic read.
October 28, 2015
One of the greatest love stories of Ireland. Certainly Katharine O’Shea would agree as Parnell would give his life for her and proved it.
May 25, 2016
Beautifully written book. Very realistic portrayals of life in court which made sense when I discovered that the author is a judge.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews