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Darkness Falling: A novel of the Great Famine
From 1845-1847 the British government reshaped Irish society, with disastrous results.
Ultimately, a million lives would be destroyed, and another million people would flee.
These are two stories of those lives.
A woman cursed by a priest stands alone on a clifftop trying to summon up the courage to jump.
Her brother stands accused of murder and rebellion against the state.
Accompanied by a troop of soldiers, a landlord destroys the homes of his tenants leaving them to die on the hillsides.
The British government is handed many opportunities to avoid disaster during the Irish famine.
Will they take them, or have they lost all humanity?
Ultimately, a million lives would be destroyed, and another million people would flee.
These are two stories of those lives.
A woman cursed by a priest stands alone on a clifftop trying to summon up the courage to jump.
Her brother stands accused of murder and rebellion against the state.
Accompanied by a troop of soldiers, a landlord destroys the homes of his tenants leaving them to die on the hillsides.
The British government is handed many opportunities to avoid disaster during the Irish famine.
Will they take them, or have they lost all humanity?
392 pages, Paperback
Published July 28, 2019
284 people are currently reading
4975 people want to read
About the author
Patrick MacDonald
3 books7 followersAfter a successful career as a Company Secretary with a major national charity, I ran my own consultancy for four years working mainly in the not-for-profit sector.
I’ve now stopped doing this so I can concentrate solely on writing.
The Faces That You Meet was my first novel. The second one, Darkness Falling, is described below. I am currently working on a third novel, The Invitation, which is a psychological thriller.
I have an English degree from a Welsh University, Aberystwyth: they let you in if you could spell it. I chose Aberystwyth because I had chronic asthma in my youth and I thought a coastal University might sort it out which rather miraculously it did! I also went to Aberystwyth without bothering to check it out first – this was a mistake because I hadn’t realised it took 3 days to get there. Lots of bands used to pull out of gigs once they realised how impossible it was to get there so the only ones who turned up were the one hit wonders like Led Zeppelin. In all seriousness they did play there once in a hall on the sea front because I think there was a local connection.
I’m also currently working through a very long bucket list. So far I’ve done three tandem parachute jumps (Why? Because I’m an idiot with a death wish) tried paragliding and three years ago started doing stand up.
I’ve been married for 40 years and I have two sons. My youngest is working as a doctor in Bristol, having studied medicine at Birmingham, and the eldest works for Glaxo Smith Klein as a Data Scientist, having completed a PhD at Warwick – obviously any sign of intelligence on their part is all down to my wife. The oldest of four brothers, and therefore the most downtrodden, I’m supposed to be the sensible one, but then that’s not difficult given what clowns the others are. Let’s hope they don’t read this…still no worries there; they’re all illiterate anyway. In terms of success my brother, Mick, has clearly got the jump on me there, but you’ll have to do your own research to find out why.
I’ve now stopped doing this so I can concentrate solely on writing.
The Faces That You Meet was my first novel. The second one, Darkness Falling, is described below. I am currently working on a third novel, The Invitation, which is a psychological thriller.
I have an English degree from a Welsh University, Aberystwyth: they let you in if you could spell it. I chose Aberystwyth because I had chronic asthma in my youth and I thought a coastal University might sort it out which rather miraculously it did! I also went to Aberystwyth without bothering to check it out first – this was a mistake because I hadn’t realised it took 3 days to get there. Lots of bands used to pull out of gigs once they realised how impossible it was to get there so the only ones who turned up were the one hit wonders like Led Zeppelin. In all seriousness they did play there once in a hall on the sea front because I think there was a local connection.
I’m also currently working through a very long bucket list. So far I’ve done three tandem parachute jumps (Why? Because I’m an idiot with a death wish) tried paragliding and three years ago started doing stand up.
I’ve been married for 40 years and I have two sons. My youngest is working as a doctor in Bristol, having studied medicine at Birmingham, and the eldest works for Glaxo Smith Klein as a Data Scientist, having completed a PhD at Warwick – obviously any sign of intelligence on their part is all down to my wife. The oldest of four brothers, and therefore the most downtrodden, I’m supposed to be the sensible one, but then that’s not difficult given what clowns the others are. Let’s hope they don’t read this…still no worries there; they’re all illiterate anyway. In terms of success my brother, Mick, has clearly got the jump on me there, but you’ll have to do your own research to find out why.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 30, 2021
NO SPOILERS…
Reading this book was a bitter-sweet experience - the subject matter is raw, upsetting in more places than I want to recall and yet I could not put it down. It was a page-turner which kept me reading with hope in my heart even though I knew what was coming. The potato famine of Ireland is a well-known part of history and I have visited the Kilmainham Gaol going back a few years and the place still haunts me. Reading this novel felt just and worthwhile.
MacDonald wrote with a rawness, catching the emotions and suffering of the Irish people while sharing a part of history which deserves a place in the literary world. His characters drew me in and had me rooting for them and their families at every turn. To say this was an enjoyable read is not true... it was deeply disturbing yet incredibly evocative and beautifully written.
I liked the way the historical context was woven into the narrative with some real quotes from the period between chapters and just as I couldn't bear what was happening there was a brilliant court scene which had me on tenterhooks and got me through the final pages.
Congratulations on a fabulous Indie-published book which I feel certain will go far in the book world and would make a great book club read as well as being educational.
Reading this book was a bitter-sweet experience - the subject matter is raw, upsetting in more places than I want to recall and yet I could not put it down. It was a page-turner which kept me reading with hope in my heart even though I knew what was coming. The potato famine of Ireland is a well-known part of history and I have visited the Kilmainham Gaol going back a few years and the place still haunts me. Reading this novel felt just and worthwhile.
MacDonald wrote with a rawness, catching the emotions and suffering of the Irish people while sharing a part of history which deserves a place in the literary world. His characters drew me in and had me rooting for them and their families at every turn. To say this was an enjoyable read is not true... it was deeply disturbing yet incredibly evocative and beautifully written.
I liked the way the historical context was woven into the narrative with some real quotes from the period between chapters and just as I couldn't bear what was happening there was a brilliant court scene which had me on tenterhooks and got me through the final pages.
Congratulations on a fabulous Indie-published book which I feel certain will go far in the book world and would make a great book club read as well as being educational.
September 19, 2023
This was a brilliant read. I've read a number of novels about the Irish famine (My Dad is Irish and his parents owned a small farm County Mayo, hence my fascination with this period). I was disappointed to find, though, that none of them really covered the political situation at the time and, in particular, the behaviour of the British government in the relief effort.
This novel puts that right, alternating chapters describing the policies adopted at the time, with others concentrating on the impact of the famine on the people themselves. Now, that probably makes it sound quite dull but that's far from the truth. The author has skilfully woven the political events around the quotidian lives of the villagers and the impact the British government's
policies had on their existence, somehow managing through their blind adherence to dogma to make an already grim situation even worse.
In the epilogue to the novel that author compares the laissez faire policies of the British government during the famine with those of the Margaret Thatcher era and I note that one reviewer has taken exception to this. This surprised me because I didn't feel the author's charge was entirely unjustified. In fact I could draw an even more direct parallel; there is a remarkable symmetry between Thatcher's intransigence during the Troubles towards the Maze prison hunger strikers which led directly to the death of Bobby Sands and, subsequently a further nine other prisoners, and the callous indifference of some of the most influential British politicians during the Irish famine to the horrific levels of starvation and death in its closest colony.
This novel puts that right, alternating chapters describing the policies adopted at the time, with others concentrating on the impact of the famine on the people themselves. Now, that probably makes it sound quite dull but that's far from the truth. The author has skilfully woven the political events around the quotidian lives of the villagers and the impact the British government's
policies had on their existence, somehow managing through their blind adherence to dogma to make an already grim situation even worse.
In the epilogue to the novel that author compares the laissez faire policies of the British government during the famine with those of the Margaret Thatcher era and I note that one reviewer has taken exception to this. This surprised me because I didn't feel the author's charge was entirely unjustified. In fact I could draw an even more direct parallel; there is a remarkable symmetry between Thatcher's intransigence during the Troubles towards the Maze prison hunger strikers which led directly to the death of Bobby Sands and, subsequently a further nine other prisoners, and the callous indifference of some of the most influential British politicians during the Irish famine to the horrific levels of starvation and death in its closest colony.
February 7, 2024
Set in the time of the Irish potato famine, so this was not a feel-good novel, of course. Families evicted from their cottages and the cottages burned, because the landlords could make more money grazing animals than renting to farmers. Food imports stopped so the price would be driven up to make the landlords more money and starve the villagers who were now condemned to live in the open in the snow. People slaughtered in the streets, including children, if they got in the way of the village destruction. "...the Whigs don’t want spending in Ireland to interfere with or get in the way of market forces." "...the Whigs believe in self-reliance...; "...there are strong economic reasons for pushing through change, turning the land over to grazing. "'This is disgusting,' he said. 'How can they…?' 'Very easily, I’m afraid,' said Jones, 'because there’s a ready audience for it. You do that to a people then they become subhuman and if you believe a people aren’t remotely the same as you, then it becomes easier to treat them badly–they don’t suffer the same, do you see? They’re not human after all, so how could they?'” It all sounds familiar, unfortunately.
The ending didn't really seem like a an ending. Just a prelude to more misery.
The ending didn't really seem like a an ending. Just a prelude to more misery.
May 22, 2025
As previous reviewers have stated, even if you have a little/some knowledge of this subject-you will learn a lot. I had a reasonable knowledge but this really brings home the human suffering involved and the scale of the horror inflicted. The descriptions are vivid so it is all brought to life so well...
It is a compelling story-and the characters involved ensure interest is maintained throughout. This is so well researched and interesting but the interwoven personal stories lend another aspect to the story.
Despite the harrowing content it was an easy/enjoyable read-although the outrage/regret and anger provoked meant there were a great many contrasting emotions to temper the 'enjoyment'.
I would say this is a 'must read' and I felt a small glimmer of hope at the end-which I loved. You could feel the love between the characters which was a humbling experience.
It is a compelling story-and the characters involved ensure interest is maintained throughout. This is so well researched and interesting but the interwoven personal stories lend another aspect to the story.
Despite the harrowing content it was an easy/enjoyable read-although the outrage/regret and anger provoked meant there were a great many contrasting emotions to temper the 'enjoyment'.
I would say this is a 'must read' and I felt a small glimmer of hope at the end-which I loved. You could feel the love between the characters which was a humbling experience.
April 11, 2023
This book started interestingly enough but soon devolved into a murder trial. This is a jarring change narrative that I found disadvantageous. Either stick with the tale of the Irish famine as seen through many different people or focus exclusively on the events leading up to and during the trial. I would have preferred the former, as that part of the novel is at times gripping.
I might have given this book three stars were it not for the unnecessary Socialist banter in the afterword. Comparing Margaret Thatcher to Charles Trevelyan was unnecessary, as well as absurd. It made me wonder about the accuracy of the book, and how much the author's political biases might have influenced the plot.
I might have given this book three stars were it not for the unnecessary Socialist banter in the afterword. Comparing Margaret Thatcher to Charles Trevelyan was unnecessary, as well as absurd. It made me wonder about the accuracy of the book, and how much the author's political biases might have influenced the plot.
April 20, 2023
Brutality of Greed
Darkness Falling is an excellent book. Patrick MacDonald makes the reader see, feel and even smell the rural Ireland of the potato famine.
The poor Irish tenants of the wealthy landowners had not only the failure of their main crop, potatoes, to contend with, but the utter heartlessness of the British officials who ruled Ireland.
These officials display unbelievable cruelty. They order the baillifs to force families out of their poor houses. They kill villagers who protest, including women and children. They coldly justify their actions by saying Ireland needs to reduce its population.
If you want to know some of what went on in Ireland during the potato famine, read this book.
Darkness Falling is an excellent book. Patrick MacDonald makes the reader see, feel and even smell the rural Ireland of the potato famine.
The poor Irish tenants of the wealthy landowners had not only the failure of their main crop, potatoes, to contend with, but the utter heartlessness of the British officials who ruled Ireland.
These officials display unbelievable cruelty. They order the baillifs to force families out of their poor houses. They kill villagers who protest, including women and children. They coldly justify their actions by saying Ireland needs to reduce its population.
If you want to know some of what went on in Ireland during the potato famine, read this book.
September 16, 2023
This was a brilliant read. I've read other novels about the famine but this is the first one which I thought dealt adequately with the politics of the time and, in particular, the British government's disastrous role in the crisis. The Killing Snows is claimed as the defining novel of the era and is a fine piece of work but it only touches tangentially on the politics; Darkness Falling puts it front and centre whilst still managing to wrap around it a compelling narrative of the impact of the famine on one Irish family. So, it is both a love story and an acute political analysis of the causes and effects of the famine, a history lesson and a gripping read that you will be sorry to finish. I hope the author produces a sequel because I would love to see what happens to the characters next.
May 25, 2025
A harrowing story that walks you through the heartbreak, dis-eased, filth, desperation, powerlessness, injustice and famine of the people of Ireland and England during the mid-1800s. (I feel there will be a 2nd book)
I love reading and understanding sociology in all histories and this book delivers. From tenancy, to landlords, to the elite and the political imbalance the tumultuous society endures the wrath of power and the powerlessness of rights.
MacDonald knows his content well and brings to life, and death, all social classes that impacted this time. His imagery is seen, heard, felt, smelled and tasted - it is a raw and unforgiving world. His characters are strong and relentless. His fortitude is admirable.
I love reading and understanding sociology in all histories and this book delivers. From tenancy, to landlords, to the elite and the political imbalance the tumultuous society endures the wrath of power and the powerlessness of rights.
MacDonald knows his content well and brings to life, and death, all social classes that impacted this time. His imagery is seen, heard, felt, smelled and tasted - it is a raw and unforgiving world. His characters are strong and relentless. His fortitude is admirable.
August 11, 2021
Whilst it's a story about fictional family, it incorporates all the events and main people from the time, including reference to actual events and written records.
It's an engrossing story that I found hard to actually put down.
I almost cried with them, laughed with them, and near the end prayed with them they justice was done. Whilst obviously siding with the Irish families in a time where their treatment was unbelievable, it was interesting to see portrayals of the rent collectors, landlords, and some others poi t of view as knowing it was wrong but their hands were tied.
The writing really drew you in to the story.
Literally read the book in 2 nights.
It's an engrossing story that I found hard to actually put down.
I almost cried with them, laughed with them, and near the end prayed with them they justice was done. Whilst obviously siding with the Irish families in a time where their treatment was unbelievable, it was interesting to see portrayals of the rent collectors, landlords, and some others poi t of view as knowing it was wrong but their hands were tied.
The writing really drew you in to the story.
Literally read the book in 2 nights.
February 5, 2024
Raw and compelling storytelling of this horrendous period of Irish history
Through the lives of the primary and secondary characters of this novel, one is immersed into the brutal conditions that the Irish people endured during the Great Famine of the mid-1800s. The reader also gains a sense of the genocidal prejudice against the Irish that was promulgated and condoned by key elements of the British government at the time, particularly in the views expressed by the historical government figure, Trevelyan, who seemed to thwart any attempt at relieving the desperation and starvation of the Irish people.
Through the lives of the primary and secondary characters of this novel, one is immersed into the brutal conditions that the Irish people endured during the Great Famine of the mid-1800s. The reader also gains a sense of the genocidal prejudice against the Irish that was promulgated and condoned by key elements of the British government at the time, particularly in the views expressed by the historical government figure, Trevelyan, who seemed to thwart any attempt at relieving the desperation and starvation of the Irish people.
March 12, 2024
I found the book challenging to read on a few levels. The brutality of the famine and the inhumane treatment and cruelty by the landowners was vivid and difficult. I was however enjoying the book until about three quarters through it starts to jump around with lack of development of various scenes and their outcome. It was as abrupt as turning the page and finding that the story has fast forwarded. The ending likewise was incomplete and thrown together leaving me very unsatisfied. The author certainly has the ability to do better and is excellent with imagery and character development but this felt as thought written with a deadline.
April 4, 2022
readable
A not outstanding tale set in Ireland during the famine years when many of the Irish were emigrating if they could afford it, or dying if they could not. The tale itself was hard to believe but it did sweep you along to see what happened. The ending was a bit of a non event. My main quarrel was with the style of writing, which I felt was somewhat forced and not terribly convincing, - with some spelling mistakes which really irritated me.
A not outstanding tale set in Ireland during the famine years when many of the Irish were emigrating if they could afford it, or dying if they could not. The tale itself was hard to believe but it did sweep you along to see what happened. The ending was a bit of a non event. My main quarrel was with the style of writing, which I felt was somewhat forced and not terribly convincing, - with some spelling mistakes which really irritated me.
June 14, 2023
I was really enjoying the story at first but then I don't know what happened but I got lost between the famine, the killing and burning down of the villages and the trial (which he had been set up). The cruelty was hard to read and get through. I was very disappointed in the ending. I felt it left you hanging.
Thank you to the authors Patrick Macdonald, for the free Kindle copy won in the Goodreads giveaway.
Thank you to the authors Patrick Macdonald, for the free Kindle copy won in the Goodreads giveaway.
February 17, 2024
horrific
A horrific story told with authenticity. I almost put it down early on because I couldn’t bear the horror and brutality of man’s’ inhumanity to man. People did not just die of hunger in the potato famine. I read on because I am Irish and I should know these things. And because I kept hoping for a thread of redemption. A glimmer of which did eventually come. Well written.
A horrific story told with authenticity. I almost put it down early on because I couldn’t bear the horror and brutality of man’s’ inhumanity to man. People did not just die of hunger in the potato famine. I read on because I am Irish and I should know these things. And because I kept hoping for a thread of redemption. A glimmer of which did eventually come. Well written.
July 11, 2024
Fictional story set during the Irish Potato Famine, incorporating some actual people and a composite of typical Irish who lived through this.
Would be interesting for those who don’t have awareness of this tragedy.
Unfortunately not very well written, the dialogue was anachronistic and the plot skipped around quite a bit, with more emphasis on a couple of romantic and sexual subplots than there needed to be, probably just to disguise the shallow amount of research that was done.
Would be interesting for those who don’t have awareness of this tragedy.
Unfortunately not very well written, the dialogue was anachronistic and the plot skipped around quite a bit, with more emphasis on a couple of romantic and sexual subplots than there needed to be, probably just to disguise the shallow amount of research that was done.
June 26, 2025
I wasn't aware of the causes of the Irish famine and that the fact that, unless you were a landowner, you had to give all your crops to the owner. Potatoes were what the villagers survived on and then when the potato crop failed two years in a row, the people were left with no food, and removed from their homes. No shelter, no jobs, no food...
This situation and some of the people in this book are based on real events and people.
This situation and some of the people in this book are based on real events and people.
May 19, 2023
Clumsy story of the famine. The major scene overplayed and then underdeveloped. Was that really based on reasonable historical interpretation? A trial told simplistically. Good and bad through simple stereotypes, including Charles Trevelyan. Very odd acknowledgements including some bizarre historical comparisons. It’s all a bit amateur.
March 2, 2024
This is the first historical fiction novel that I have read that is set in Ireland during the famine. It showed the lack of compassion by the aristocracy for the peasants and the great suffering of the people, a sad commentary on human nature. We will go to great lengths to try to maintain our life-style when our survival is at stake.
May 4, 2024
Irish Famine
This book is well written,a fact which made me want to read it. However, it is very dark and depressing. How historically accurate, I do not know. The worst factor is that the story is incomplete. I can only assume there is a sequel. I highly resent this, since I did not know that it would have an unsatisfactory conclusion.
This book is well written,a fact which made me want to read it. However, it is very dark and depressing. How historically accurate, I do not know. The worst factor is that the story is incomplete. I can only assume there is a sequel. I highly resent this, since I did not know that it would have an unsatisfactory conclusion.
May 31, 2024
Irish Hell
Darkness Falling is a explicit depiction of the wrath that the Irish people endured during the famine. The story is a love story, but will stir your emotions, Catholic vs Protestant, English vs Ireland, right and wrong.
The story was well written, however, the end left you in the air. Probably a set up for the next chapter, poorly done.
Darkness Falling is a explicit depiction of the wrath that the Irish people endured during the famine. The story is a love story, but will stir your emotions, Catholic vs Protestant, English vs Ireland, right and wrong.
The story was well written, however, the end left you in the air. Probably a set up for the next chapter, poorly done.
July 17, 2023
Great book set in the time of the Irish Famine. This book really grasps the desperation of the local population during this tragedy. I liked this book as it was a mix of historic events alongside a fictional tale. I would recommend this book especially to those interested in Irish history.
February 13, 2024
Accuracy in historical setting
Mr. MacDonald creates an interesting view of the various social strata suffering through the Irish famine. He shows the interests of high and low in an engaging format.
Mr. MacDonald creates an interesting view of the various social strata suffering through the Irish famine. He shows the interests of high and low in an engaging format.
February 19, 2024
The story jumped around character perspectives which made it hard to follow and therefore understand what was happening.
Historically innacurate in my opinion.
I struggled to finish and didn't really enjoy that much.
Historically innacurate in my opinion.
I struggled to finish and didn't really enjoy that much.
February 23, 2024
This book is well-written, and well researched, but devastatingly bleak. The careless inhumanity of the British ruling class in the face of the Irish potato famine will shock you. Not an easy book to read.
February 24, 2024
Bleak
Doubtless the novel has been well researched but the grim details of this time in Ireland were presented relentlessly. The opening is powerful; however, I am not sure the characterisation is as sustained as it could have been.
Doubtless the novel has been well researched but the grim details of this time in Ireland were presented relentlessly. The opening is powerful; however, I am not sure the characterisation is as sustained as it could have been.
February 26, 2024
How do you classify a book like this?
To say I enjoyed this book would be a lie. Don't get me wrong it's a well written book but The inhumanity! I knew the famine Was Horrendous
But never did I think People could do this to other people.
To say I enjoyed this book would be a lie. Don't get me wrong it's a well written book but The inhumanity! I knew the famine Was Horrendous
But never did I think People could do this to other people.
April 2, 2023
IDNF. I read 8 chapters & every chapter had new characters. I only could tell that characters from the 1st two chapters are connected. It may all connect eventually but you've lost me.
May 6, 2023
A woeful tale of what the Irish people suffered during the potato famine. Have tissues handy!
January 31, 2024
Darkness
I am not impressed by any writing that flips f-bombs around. It is not needed or appreciated. The world can do without such.
I am not impressed by any writing that flips f-bombs around. It is not needed or appreciated. The world can do without such.
February 1, 2024
Great
I enjoyed the book. There were times when the plot weakened but overall it was fantastic. The language was excellent.
I enjoyed the book. There were times when the plot weakened but overall it was fantastic. The language was excellent.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews