The Black Prophet: A Tale of the Irish Famine 1847

by William Carleton

At all events the glen was said to be haunted by Sullivan's spirit, which was in the habit of appearing near the place of murder, from whence he was seen to enter the chasm -- taken with its dark and lonely aspect, it impressed upon the place a reputation of being accursed, as the scene of crime and supernatural appearances.

We remember having played in it when young, and the feeling we experienced was one of awe and terror, to which might be added, on contemplating the "dread repose" and solitude around us, an impression that we were removed hundreds of miles from the busy ongoings and noisy tumults of life, to which, as if seeking protection, we generally hastened with a strong sense of relief, after having tremblingly gratified our boyish curiosity. . . .

Genres: History, Irish Literature, Ireland, Classics

Audiobook

Published August 14, 2012

About the author

William Carleton was an Irish writer and novelist best known for his Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry, a collection of ethnic sketches of the stereotypical Irishman.

Reviews

[Randy Mcbride · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly enjoy historical fiction, and finding something from the time of the Irish Famine peaked my interested. As most work from this period, the story begins slow. However, Carleton develops the characters, builds tension, provides some foreshadowing, and tells an excellent story. At the same time, it added to my already extensive research into this historical era. For those interested in this time in history I would highly recommend it.

[Finnán · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mysticism, historic Ireland, the Yeats co-sign - on paper I should have enjoyed this a lot more than I did. The Black Prophet however read as a thinly veiled apology for the middle classes and their actions during the Famine, something which made me slightly uncomfortable. Of interest, but not particularly interesting.

[Taylor Allgeier-Follett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably more like a 3.5, as this period isn’t my favorite and I found it slow-going at first, but I eventually got more into it and enjoyed the plot