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Rating: 
Summary: Historical Fiction at its Best!
Review: 1916 is one of those books that you will remember for the rest of your life! It's long lenght may deter some from wanting to read it, but once you start it is hard to put down! This book gives any reader a comprehensive idea of the history of Ireland's 1916 REbellion (the key people involved, the events leading up to it, the actual standoff itself and the poigant aftermath), yet does so in a very unconventional, non-text book-like way. Following the life of a fictional teenage boy who becomes embroiled in the midst of the rising revolutionary movement, actual historical figurs weave in and out of the story, with fictional players as well. Even if you are not interested in Irish history (which you may be after reading this book), 1916 will enthrall you w/ its easy, conversational writning style and entertain you with its adventurous twists in the plot. Llwellyn masterfully blends history with fiction to give readers a sense of that era- a time of strife, hope,fear and change in Ireland that parallels the time of the American Revolution, with the Irish insurrectionist being as wise and admirable as the American forefathers. Although 1916 does not end rosy and happy (people die - and there's also a sex scence- be foretold, it brings up many needed messages about persistance, human nature and "lost causes", as well as enthralling the reader in a seldom-told Irish history lesson. It also has some great one-liners. So if you're up for an epic read, but one that will go by quickly and leave you interested in more, 1916 is a book for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Painful
Review: If tortured prose is to your taste, by all means pick up this exemplary model of how to bore a reader to tears with forced, plodding, contrived exposition. The historical facts are razor sharp; the writing style underwhelms with dullness.
Rating: 
Summary: Read it for the history, not for the prose
Review: If you've ever wondered about what happened during the Irish Rebellion of 1916, but you don't want a boring textbook re-telling of the events, then this is the book for you. 1916 mixes fact with fiction in a way that makes the events of the Irish rebellion lifelike and engaging. Fans of historical fiction will truly relish this novel.The story begins predictably enough on board the Titanic, on which (fictional) protagonist, County Clare farmboy Ned Halloran and his parents are headed to New York City for his sister Kathleen's marriage. We all know what happens next, so long story short, Ned survives and his parents don't. Llewelyn uses Ned's experience onboard the ill-fated ship as his sounding board for every single challenge he faces in the book. I don't know how many times he says, "I know I can get through this, I survived the Titanic!" Some may scoff at the fact that Ned is a first-hand witness of two major historical events of the 20th century, but thankfully for the reader, the Titanic episode doesn't occupy much of the novel. The remainder of the book is a painstaking, detailing, fascinating retelling of the few years leading up to the 1916 rebellion. Ned enrolls at St. Enda's School near Dublin, where Padraig Pearse is headmaster, and soon finds himself in the company of the future rebellion leaders. He joins forces with them and eventually becomes embroiled in the Irish movement toward Home Rule. All the while, he interacts with countless famous faces, a veritable Who's Who of Irish history. The book takes the reader to the front lines, allowing him to see the events through the eyes of someone who experienced them. Llewelyn strives to convey what various historical figures such as Joe Plunkett, Countess Markievic, Sean MacBride, Sean Heuston, and numerous others were like in their daily lives and how they came to be part of the rebellion that paved the way for (partial) Irish freedom. As an historian, Llewelyn receives high marks. Every event is painstakingly researched. Even minor occurrences and biographical information are footnoted, and the novel boasts an impressive bibliography. Llewelyn makes the history accessible to the common reader, and for this she deserves praise. 1916 is an excellent historical novel. Where she falters is in the fiction she weaves into the fact, and the prose she uses to convey it. Although she bases them on historical record, many of the characters seem flat and even stereotypical. The plucky Irish always have cute, brogue-laden one-liners to offer, and the British are sufficiently stuffy and callous to make you roll an eye. The novel seems more interested in driving the plot along than in dazzling the reader in the way the author can turn a phrase. Many of the events not directly associated with historical fact (such as Kathleen's romance with a sensitive priest) seem trite and conventional, and the love scenes (yes, there are love scenes) are riddled with borderline ridiculous imagery. But these missteps can be overlooked, as Llewelyn has given us an engrossing work that transports us into the history as it occurs. Students of Irish history as well as those with a casual interest can appreciate this book for the way it opens up history to the reader.
Rating:
Summary: Llywellyn once again brings Irish history alive!
Review: Morgan LLywellyn departs from her customary ancient Ireland and Gaul to show us the early twentieth century. From County Clare to the Titanic to New York to Dublin, the character of Ned Halloran lets us live vicariously through all of these places. While he comes of age, learning of family, friendship, tradjedy, honor, loyalty, and, of course, love, we experience it all as if we were following him around ourselves. Padraic Pearse, Michael Collins and the other historic figures from Ireland's fight for freedom during the Great War are not the mythic heroes Llywellyn fans are used to; but they are great men who work in the modern era to try to free a united Ireland from subjugation. It is difficult to compare 1916 to Morgan Llywellyn's previous novels, simply because she isnt showing us heroes who've become mythological (Cuchulain, Amergin, Finn MacCool, Brian Boru, etc.). She now shows "real" men (and women) who did what they thought had to be done in a much more modern setting. A "must-read" for those interested in all aspects of Irealand's long & glorious history.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for All!!
Review: This is a story that takes you through the 1916 Rising in Dublin like no other book can. The characters are so completely developed and enjoyable you just wish you could know them in real life. Pearse is a man who was truly dedicated to a cause - yet Ms Llywelyn brings out the humanist not forgetting to delve into his family life (a fact so often left out of the history books.) This is the stuff of good detailed history - with a love story beautifully permeating throughout. It is also available as an audio book (Brilliance Corporation) in authentic Irish accent. Now Who could resist that? However you decide to enjoy this marvellous piece; just make sure to do it soon!
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