Knockfane: A Novel

by Homan Potterton

Julia and Lydia Esdaile live with their widowed father, Willis, at Knockfane, a ‘Big House’ and farm where generations of the Esdaile family have lived for centuries. Willis Esdaile, obliged to preserve Knockfane for succeeding generations, and acutely conscious of the weight of his inheritance, inexplicably banishes his only son and heir, Edward, to live with the child’s maternal grandfather. A series of unforeseen events threatens to sweep Knockfane from the family, and it falls to Julia and Lydia to carry on the Knockfane legacy.

This story of an Irish family is also the story of two bossy, confident, independent Julia, and gentle, caring, reflective Lydia, the younger sister and her father’s favorite. Knockfane is an enthralling drama exploring inheritance, heirship and family legacy, set against the backdrop of the Ireland of its time and the conventions, customs, mistrust and suspicions which governed both Protestants and Catholics, as they come to terms with each other’s world in a rapidly changing society.

270 pages, Paperback

Published June 24, 2019

About the author

Homan Potterton (9 May 1946 – 8 December 2020) was an art historian and writer who was director of the National Gallery of Ireland,

Reviews

[Dem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this quiet and well written Novel set in Ireland in the mid Twentieth Century.

This is one of what I call my Random Book Shop purchases a purchase where I rely on instinct and the blurb as opposed to reviews or whats on my TRL.

This is the story of an Irish Protestant family in the predominantly Catholic Ireland following the war of Independence. Knockfane "The Big House" where generations of the Esdaile family have resided. When Willis inexplicably banishes his only son and heir, Edward, he concocts a complex plan to protect and preserve Knockfane for succeeding generations. But time passes, and Willis dies, and soon his intentions are threatened and thwarted by unforeseen events.

I picked this lovely novel up in a book store of a small town that I happened to stop for coffee in , I loved the cover on this one and the blurb really caught my attention, its a beautifully written story, its one of those old back to basics novels that has a good story, well formed characters and lovely setting. Its a quiet story with just enough drama to keep the reader interested and turning the pages.

A really enjoyable book and another one for my real life bookshelf.

[Helen Carolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this quiet yet simmering novel set in Ireland. Akin to Molly Keane's books, here the family of Willis Esdaile come to terms with his will and the decisions they all have to make. Lovely read.

[Caroline Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did not expect to to enjoy this as much as I did! Perhaps reading it while being back home in Ireland for a week , and having been brought up in a 'Big House', and having much ( not all!) of the content and phrases resonant for me added to the enjoyment of the story. A good read!