Mortal Friends

by James Carroll

From the author of the National Book Award-winning An American Requiem and the classic bestseller Constantine’s Sword comes the story of Colman Brady, an Irish farmer who involves himself in the Irish rebellion of the early 1920s and later escapes to Boston where he rises to and falls from political power and seeks a second chance through the life of his son.

Richly imagined scenes, a complex plot and masterful writing combine fact and fiction; characters like Mayor Curley of Boston and the Kennedys come to life in this classic saga of Irish-America as seen through the eyes of one revolutionary as he makes the daring choices that will shape his, and his son’s, fate.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Irish Literature, Ireland

894 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1978

About the author

James Carroll was born in Chicago and raised in Washington, D.C. He has been a civil rights worker, an antiwar activist, and a community organizer in Washington and New York. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1969 and served as Catholic chaplain at Boston University. Carroll left the priesthood to become a novelist and playwright. He lives in Boston with his wife, the novelist Alexandra Marshall, and their two children.

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't have as much time to read this one as I'd hoped, so it took longer. But the story is excellent, especially the way fathers pass their legacies down to sons and grandsons. Excellent!

[Michael Purcell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brady had not noticed how rough the sea was. As long as one stood with one’s back to the ocean — as he had, waiting — it did not exist. When one faced it, nothing else existed. - 271

A realistic 4.25 stars, but for the Irish Catholic New Englander progeny of mick harps it gets a 5 start sentimental treatment. Engrossing historical epic covering 3 generations of Irish men, and how the sins and struggles of one Colman Brady, Irish revolutionary, Boston immigrant, politician, business man, and his efforts to not only himself make it, but, more importantly, enable his son, nephew and grandson able to breach the Protestant elite barrier is wonderful storytelling. Sins of the father can beget sins for the son and try as one might, we may not escape that which made us, try as we might. From pre 1920’s Irish revolution through the Kennedy presidency, a 4+ decade story of the strife, struggles, sacrifices, successes and failures was quite lengthy but worth powering through, a book I was always excited to sneak away and finish a chapter.

I’m a sucker for Irish heritage, and stories about fathers and sons, and this was both, as well as a history of Boston, and my beloved District of Columbia at times. If historical fiction is your bag this is well worth the pick up

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

At 850+ pages (why did I do that?), there's a lot to unpack. Colman Brady has worked to earn his own land and is getting married, just as the Brits show up to take it back in the Irish Revolution. This radicalizes him, and brings him close to Michael Collins. The Irish Civil War takes the life of his wife, but he saves little "Micko" Collins Brady and starts anew in South Boston. His next mortal friends are the infamous Mayor Curley, a North Boston Italian mobster, his nephew the future Bishop, various Washington DC functionaries who help his son's career, and the Kennedys. Of course, the deals and wiretaps, bribes and forged signatures on a Catholic dispensation for a mixed marriage, all come back to haunt both the father and son in this complex multigenerational saga. Maybe there's hope for the half-Sicilian grandson.
This could have been divided into a more readable trilogy.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Carroll's novel "Mortal Friends" is an epic 865 page fictional account of Irish farmer Colman Brady's life as he tends his inherited land in Northern Ireland, fights for the IRA in the 1923 Irish Civil War and soon migrates to Boston. Recruited to support and then join Boston's Democratic party in the late 20's, Brady sets out to establish himself as a feared backroom enforcer of Democratic control of Boston politics. Full of passion, revenge and romance, " Mortal Friends" is both a dramatic story of Boston's flamboyant history as well as the grim underworld brutality that was so much of every American cities 20th century culture. A very long book but still engaging and tough to put down.

[Richard Gruner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical context

A tragedy unfolds (perhaps finally averted) across generations, as the sins of the father consumes the life of his son. The inner workings of the Irish troubles, city of Boston, American politics, and the Roman Catholic Church are sources for the author's plot development.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Mortal Friends" would be a throwback to those sweeping generational/historical novels so popular in the 1970s -- think "The Thorn Birds" or anything by James Michener -- if it actually wasn't one of them. James Carroll's 1978 epic follows Colman Brady as he evolves from a young and idealistic Irish rebel in the 1920s into a jaded major player in the political and criminal worlds of 1960s Boston. Along the way, there are affairs, power grabs, betrayals and killings as he crosses paths with such real-life figures as Irish freedom fighter Michael Collins, Boston mayor James Michael Curly, Catholic Cardinal Richard Cushing and, of course, the Kennedys. It's long and hardly a page turner -- honesty compels me to admit that I twice put it aside to read non-fiction books -- but readable enough if you don't mind the deliberate pace and frequent passages of agonizing introspection (i.e., Catholic guilt) by the main characters. Fans of the genre have a head start.

[Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book. Author's style is very fluid and exact. I love the way he describes relationships amoung his very well developed characters. Did not know that Kennedy was the first Irish-American elected President, although I did n\know he was the first catholic. Didn't realize how those two traits characterize an entire American culture, and the Boston MA scene in the 30'2 through the 50's and early 60's.
Am reading another of his now, American Requiem. Already hooked after the first 5 pages. Even more succinct character definition and relationship dynamics expressed like I have not read another author match. Great writing style.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up used. I had not heard of it but it looked like a good historical novel about Irish immigration to America through the Kennedy years. I got bogged down in a couple places due to some of the political situations but other parts read quite easily. I'm glad I finished it. It covers three generations and ultimately shows that love trumps hatred in spite of bad decisions and situations.

[Lillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

family saga that starts in the 1920's in Ireland and brings the main character to Boston , wonderful look at boston as it changes during those early years. The author lives in massachusetts and so the area is seen through more than one generations eyes, will have to get this book for my mom for xmas!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strangely unmoved by a pretty dramatic story. Three generations of Irish men in Boston who get involved with politics, organized crime, the Catholic Church, Harvard and the Protestant "Brahmins" of the city. Bogged down in many places. Should have been a more engrossing story. I guess I should have left it on the used book shelf. 731 pages is a lot of wasted reading time.

[Jeff Yeager · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent generational story about the Boston Irish immigrant experience mid to late 20th century, but as others have mentioned, gets reeeeally slow in places.

Started off strong. Middle was grueling. End was Ok.
Overall pretty easy to put down, and on many occasions I considered just quitting...but I didn’t.

A bit too depressing for me.

[Amanda Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC NOVEL! ! The writing is exquisite, making you feel as if you know the characters very well & are fighting their fights, grieving along w/ their sorrows & rejoicing in their triumphs & their happiness! It's historical fiction, my favorite kind of novel!

[Vanessa Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real favorite, especially if you are Irish, Catholic, a political junkie or from Boston.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling story weaved into the history of Irish in Boston. Not my usual kind of vacation read, but I enjoyed it quite a bit.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliantly-told tragic tale stretching from Europe to America and back again.

[Sue Kozlowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction. I learned a great deal about Boston, its early Irish history, and its crime. Much of it centers around Boston mayor James Michael Curley.

[Mary Spencer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not worth time nor money.

[Sandy Lezon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical novel about three generations of Irish immigrants who come to Boston- a lot of early Boston history- politics and negative stuff about Kennedys

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written story of the Irish Mafia.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1980. Starting in the Irish rebellion in the 1920's to the United States in the Kennedy years. A sweeping saga of one man's ambition and lust for power.

[Billy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just came back to me as I was discussing things with friends over lunch. Now I need to read a plot summary to bring it back. It connects with one C and I are reading for a book club in November.