Red Hugh: The Kidnap of Hugh O'Donnell

by Deborah Lisson

The extraordinary true story of Red Hugh O'Donnell -- kidnap, gaol, dungeons, escape

Ireland in 1587 was a tough place. The old Irish clans struggled desperately to hold on to their lands. With the Spanish Armada threatening her in the background, the English queen, Elizabeth I, set out to subdue them.

A few weeks before his fifteenth birthday, Red Hugh was captured and taken to Dublin Castle. He was held as hostage to ensure the good behaviour of his father, chief of the powerful O'Donnell clan of Donegal. After several years, one freezing winter's night the chance of escape seemed to come at last. But there were great risks …

Genres: Historical Fiction

190 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2001

About the author

Deborah Lisson is a well-known author of young adult fiction, living in Banbury, Australia. Her passion for the story of Red Hugh led her to research this book in Ireland. Her novel The Devil's Own won the Western Australia Premier's Award for Children’s Fiction and was shortlisted for the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award in 1991; her book, A Place of Safety, won the Western Australia Premier's Award for Children's Literature in 1997.

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on actual events, this is the story of 15-year-old Hugh O'Donnell who is expected to take over the chieftancy when his father dies. But these are dangerous times and the English take Hugh and his two friends hostage. They are kept in prison to make sure that the O'Donnell clan stays loyal to the crown. At first, they are treated decently, but after their first escape attempt, Hugh is taken to the torture chamber. Four years of prison nearly breaks the young man, but with the help of his father's allies, he finally escapes for good. However, he finds that his freedom brings on grave responsibilities and new dangers.

[Kathryn Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just not my favorite portrayal of the characters in this story. Also, it was a little bit of a challenge to keep track of all the characters and their relationships, especially since she used the Irish forms of their names quite often.