Description

‘Ciaran McMenamin confirms his exceptional talent with this admirably powerful and authentic novel about the First World War and the struggle for Irish independence. Tremendous’ William Boyd

Longlisted for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction

Annie, Francie and Archie were inseparable growing up, but in 1914 the boys are seduced by the drama of the Great War. Before leaving their small Irish village for the trenches, Francie promises his true love Annie that he will bring her little brother home safe.

Six years later Francie is on the run, a wanted man in the Irish war of Independence. He needs Annie’s help to escape safely across the border, but that means confronting the truth about why Archie never came back….

For readers of Sebastian Faulks, Ian McEwan and Sebastian Barry

Publisher Review

[A] violent and tender story where memorable characters battle love, loyalty and the terrible truths of war -- Eithne Farry * Daily Mail * Excellent, gripping...a powerful reflection on complex loyalties, divisions and identities, a romantic drama and a page-turning thriller * Irish Times * Ambitious and powerful...superbly drawn...McMenamin's ambitious novel scores big * Sunday Times * There is a smooth grace to his prose...The tension between the compulsions of history and circumstance, and personal moral choice, are played out compellingly * Irish Independent * McMenamin writes with verve and honesty * Irish Times *