<< 1 >>
Rating:  Summary: gave 2 Stars only for Gallipoli Review:
I read 'Trinity' because I was curious about the IRA and the whole situation of Ireland & England. Just wanted to know what the hell it was all about.
And I got all the information I wanted and so much more. Trinity not only gave a complete history on the situation but told me what Ireland meant to an Irishman.
Now why am I reviewing Trinity instead of Redemption? I don't know. Maybe its because the sequel cant even hold a candle light to its predecessor .
Redemption just drags on from basically where Trinity left off. Nothing happens until Gallipoli. But there, the book completely switches pace and becomes very interesting.
The Bloody hills of Gallipoli and the British, Australian & the New Zealand forces invasion is described in vivid detail. But that's it. You have to suffer through the rest of the book to get to this part.
Give this a miss. Read Trinity instead and hold on to the memories.
Rating:  Summary: Redemption Review: As most of the readers have stated, Trinity was a very good novel. It contained three-dimensional characters, solid writing, and considerable insight into the struggles of the Irish. Redemption pales in comparison. The part on Gallipoli is really good; the rest is essentially a rehash of Trinity. If you enjoyed the characters in Trinity and want to learn more about them, and can overlook some of the author's poetic license, read this book. Just don't expect to be challeged the way you were when reading Trinity.
Rating:  Summary: Redemption Review: As other readers have noted, this book is not nearly the book Trinity is. Wish I hadn't read it, the first was so good. I guess that's the trouble with sequels.
Rating:  Summary: If you Loved Trinity, don't read this Review: I don't understand WHY the author felt he had to rehash the Trinity story. I loved that book, and was looking forward to the creation of some other three dimensional, admirable characters. There are none in this book. I wish, as someone else who reviewed this book mentioned, that I hadn't tried to read it, because I loved Trinity so much. If I could I'd rate it NO stars. Or minus three.
Rating:  Summary: If you Loved Trinity, don't read this Review: I don't understand WHY the author felt he had to rehash the Trinity story. I loved that book, and was looking forward to the creation of some other three dimensional, admirable characters. There are none in this book. I wish, as someone else who reviewed this book mentioned, that I hadn't tried to read it, because I loved Trinity so much. If I could I'd rate it NO stars. Or minus three.
Rating:  Summary: Outstanding! Review: I had to write a review after I read all the other posted reviews. I read this book as a sequel to the author's first book and simply thought it was fantastic. In fact, I just ordered the two-book set for a wonderful Christmas present for a friend. Don't hesitate to read this book - it is great!
Rating:  Summary: waste of time after reading Trinity Review: I read Trinity 10 years ago and loved it. I picked up Redemption because I enjoyed Trinity so much and because I have read and thouroughly enjoyed every Leon Uris book I read. However, half way into Redemption I felt as if I had already read it (e.g., big wrought iron screens, firemen in Baltimore). I also thought there was enough good history to write about and that Mr. Uris' focus on torid sex was pandering to marketability rather than good writing. I wish he would take one more stab at Ireland and stick to the historical theme more -- there's a lot to tell,
Rating:  Summary: the shadow of Trinity Review: Redemption is a good book that is well written with good use of language and history. The characters are well developed, real, and likable. All in all, it is an excellent book to read instead of watching television. The story follows three protagonists in their attemps to win Ireland its freedom from England. The characters are Rory Larkin, Atty Fitzpatrick, and Countess Caroline Hubble. These three honerable people face hardship and devestation in the hopesof realizing their dream of a free Ireland. Despite its many good qualities, I found this book rather disappointing. Leon Uris has written many outstanding novels. Redemption wasn't quite up to par with some of his earlier works. The main problem with it is that it is a sequel to Trinity. Trinity was one of the best books I have ever read. Unfortionly, Redemption hides in its shadow. Trinity was a magnificient tale of fighters for the freedom of Ireland. The whole story was wonderful from the first page to the last with tons of history and characters that were wonderful, believable, and just short of super human. The problem is that thte subject was so involved that it was about used up when Trinity made its triuphant ending. I think that Uris realized this when he wrote Redemption and tried to compensate. The first three hundred and fifty pages are just a summary of Trinity from different view points. Except for the first two chapters, these pages should be skipped by anyone who has read Trinity. After these pages, the novel starts to pick up where Trinity left off and succeeds with a good story line. The characters are excellent, but they are lessened in the reader's eyes because they refer so much to the greatness of the Trinity characters. They fear that they will never measure up, so that, in the reader's eyes, they don't. My suggestion would be to read Redemtion first then Trinity. The book will then seem great and the characters greater. Still, I do not mean to belittle this novel. It is very entertaining and contains excellent material. Even if it fails to overtake Trinity, it is nonetheless a masterpeice of writting.
Rating:  Summary: Powerful Highlights Scattered on a Global Tapestry Review: Whenever I think of a Leon Uris novel, I think of big themes, large-scale action, a global perspective, and Tolstoy-like interweavings of characters. Redemption has them all. Those who believe in the redeeming qualities of love and seeking forgiveness will be delighted with this book. It explores those themes in a grand fashion. Most of those who read the book will agree that the descriptions of the now little-remembered Gallipoli campaign by the British against the Turks and Germans in World War I will be permanently etched in their memories as great war (and anti war) writing. Those who would like to know more about the development of freedom in Ireland will probably be a bit disappointed. The plot heavily veers away from that subject (although it is always present as a backdrop) for much of the book. The characters are not always as appealing as are required for a great novel. You will simply want to shake them and tell them to do what is right in many cases. I have never read a book that contains so many people who are stubborn about making their lives and those around them miserable. The book would have been improved by either a somewhat simpler plot or more editing to shorten its length. After you have finished reading the book, I suggest that you think about whether there is someone you love who you have not yet told. In this month of Valentine's Day, it would be a good time to overcome that reticence . . . that was so harmful to the characters in Redemption. Live with love in your heart!
Rating:  Summary: Can't believe I spent money on this book. Review: Written like an incredibly long, high school book report, a mere rehashing of the important events of "Trinity". The book added no more dimension to and seemed bereft of any sympathy towards the characters - I found the characterizations to be flat and uninteresting. The dialogue was incredible and sophomoric - I mean, let's be frank - people getting together to plan the throwing off of the chains of 700 years of oppression aren't going to sit around a table at secret meetings, under cover of darkness, yammering things like, "And forever, nothing of beauty has ever escaped his eye. No leaf, no sound, no drop of rain, no sweet word, no scent. He finds beauty in thunderheads and raging seas, and never a woman has he seen or touched did he not find beauty in. Along with his ravenous craving for knowledge and his fury against injustice, this man has gathered in beauty more fully than any human being I know...." Puh-leeeze. Give me a break - no one talks like this. I am sorely disappointed in this poor attempt at a sequel, but I'll finish it because I'm hoping it gets better (or at least more realistic). I'm glad I read "Trinity" first, because I never would have after reading this.
<< 1 >>
|