Rating: 
Summary: TOLD, AND TOLD WELL
Review: It disturbed me to learn, while reading Trinity, that Leon Uris passed away at the age of 78. I'm glad I was reading one of his most acclaimed novels when it did happen, so finishing it made it that much more special. I will admit I did try to read this novel about 15 years ago and couldn't due to its heavy subject matter, but I'm glad I took another crack at it.
I must say that Trinity is a wondrous and expansive novel. Uris weaves many, stories and tales over the years with seamless ease. We are presented with 3 families of different backgrounds, the Larkens (Catholics), the Hubbles (protestants) and the Weeds (Presbyterians). All have an agenda of their own, whether it be respect, money or carrying on a lineage; we are shown each side and how they play on each other. Uris paints a vast portrait of the Irish lifestyles both rich and poor. Friends made and friends lost abound.
What confused me before reading this novel were the other reviews, some went on to say that Trinity drew two dimensional characters and lacked depth, and I can say that that is furthest from the truth. These characters, such as the hero Conor, or his the love interest Shelly, or the power hungry Weed family, each has their side of their story told, and told well. We are carried from the characters' childhood till there mid thirties, and I felt as though I knew each one in and out. This is Leon Uris's most accomplished work, though not my favorite, Armageddon still holds that title, this is without a doubt a great, fulfilling and richly detailed novel about a period and piece of the Irish struggle and how a few people deal with it.
We did lose a great story teller, R.I.P Leon uris, you will be sorely missed.
Rating:
Summary: A great way to learn about the tradegy of Ireland.
Review: This book presents the Irish/British conflict very well. Although I found it to be a long read, it was a lot more readable than a history textbook would have been. I especially liked the fact that all 3 sides (Catholic, Protestant and British) were represented by real, complex, multi dimensional characters. BUT reading some of the reviews here and gauging the sentiment of the book I found it hard to stomach the blatant hipocracy of the story. Conor Larkin (the 'hero') visits Australia and his brother's homestead in New Zealand. It does not cross his mind that the Aboriginies and Maouries have been treated at least as badly as his own people. The Irish, justifiably hate the fact that they are treated as a sub species, who have a foreign religion forced upon them and are not considered fit to rule themselves. And yet the Larkins, (and thousands like them), think nothing of taking land from the indiginous people, destroying their culture, their language, their religion and their whole way of life. The British are, (rightly), condemned by Conor for suppressing the Chinese, the Indians and the Africans. Yet he very convieniently fails to care about the natives of New Zealand, Australia and America. Breathtaking arrogance and hipocracy is exhibited by ALL sides in this story.
Rating: 
Summary: have a dram and keep reading
Review: I had to read this book in high school and was daunted by the size, but once I realized it's not a preachy, symbolic novel like the ones you usually read in English classes I was totally captivated. I've recently re-read it as an adult and it only got better. The politics, families, and conditions of the era are beautifully told and gives you a glimpse into the Catholic/Protestant wars of Ireland.
Rating:
Summary: First Stopped, Then Started My Heart
Review: I read this book from start to finish while sitting on the floor of my bathroom, leaning up against the tub (it was the only room in my apartment with a heater). Around the 400th page I dropped it in a full tub of water by accident, then held the individual pages up to the light so I could continue reading. The last 15 pages took me 2 hours to get through because I was sobbing convulsively and couldn't see through my tears- the words were THAT powerful. Not only did Uris do an incredible job of helping me understand the basics of 19th century Irish history and events, but both the truth and fiction of the novel connected me to the subject like nothing I've ever experienced. The revelations I had as a result of reading "Trinity" have altered my life permanently. While I always "felt badly" for oppressed cultures, since reading "Trinity" I understand more internally how heartbreaking it can be to live as a member of a subjugated and abused people. Though I have to admit my first instinct upon reaching the last page was to try at all costs to join the IRA (as irrational and impossible as that is), when the tears finally stopped I reluctantly admitted to myself that that was an entirely inappropriate way of directing my anger and adopted pain. Instead, to this day I wish I could go a hundred years back in time and dedicate myself to one of the only causes I know in my soul to have been not only righteous- but not, as Conor feared, hopeless. Since that is impossible, I'm actively looking for a cause that grabs me in a similar way as does the Irish struggle for freedom. Somehow, after reading "Trinity", I'm not as excited as I once was when "Seinfeld" or "Gilligan's Island" comes on TV (not that they don't still make me laugh!)... and that's a good thing. As silly as it sounds, "Trinity" has helped me get a better handle on what are the more important and fulfilling things in life. If I were the ruler of the world, I would insist that every high school student take a class that picks apart this novel and the concepts it addresses. For anyone who likes to sit and ponder, or yell indignantly, or reach out with their heart, this novel is perfect. Aside from the issue that is Ireland, Uris forces into one's full consciousness the many facets of humanity's ability for evil and good, selfishness and selflessness, and all the other feelings and ideas that make the world what it is. PS. "Redemption" is the perfect title for "Trinity"s sequel. While in some ways I found it disappointing (there were some incongruities in the complete storyline, and quite a bit of repetition regarding Conor), there are several scenes that made the read very worthwhile. "Trinity" left me overflowing with emotion and a need for "more"; "Redemption" left me content- the circle was completed, and that completion gave me reason to smile. And, if nothing else, the story of Gallipoli is fascinating, horrifying, and an important chapter in the military and colonial history of British Imperialism.
Rating:
Summary: A whole new perspective.
Review: I started reading this, interestingly enough, this summer on a flight to Dublin and finished it on my flight home 6 days later. My trip, I think, had much to do with how I felt about the book once I completed it. Prior to being in Ireland, I was reading as a complete outsider. I didn't get as absorbed into the characters as I did returning. Being in Ireland...being in the places mentioned in the book...spending time in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland changed my experience in reading. I became much more passionate about the fight that was fought and the principles these men believed in. Without this experience surrounding my reading of this book I would have only given it 2-3 stars. The 4 stars are completely subjective and are reflective entirely of how I experienced this book. I recommend it but cannot promise it will change your world.
Rating:
Summary: A "bully" book, for sure
Review: A wonderful work that would make Michener proud. Any author that can write a book of this breadth, relate so much history and make it this compelling is truly a master. This book is about the painful truth of Ireland. It's depressing and hopeless and it really means to be. But not for a minute will you want to put it down. There is something romantic and enticing about a people or a culture fighting to find itself. The oppression and poverty of the Irish people is harrowing and their plight seemingly hopeless, but yet a handful of men can make a difference. The struggle for freedom is ugly and heart wrenching, but Uris makes it so worthwhile.
Rating:
Summary: An incredible book...
Review: This is by far the most incredible and entertaining books that I have ever read. Trinity, followed by the sequel, Redemption are absolute masterpieces. Leon Uris' ability to tell the fictitious tale of the Larkin family while tying in actual, historical events is amazing. I highly recommend this book!
Rating: 
Summary: NOT A TYPICAL URIS
Review: This is a good book, but it is lacking Leon Uris. The book is very slow and there is no excitment in it. I wonder if Leon Uris was excited when he wrote it. I read it, I own it, and I recommend it, but I liked his other books better.
Rating:
Summary: Another Uris Classic
Review: As his other work, The Haj, brings clarity to the struggle in the middle east, Trinity put the Irish conflict into focus for me. This is of course a classic and deservedly so. The writing is wonderful throughout and it's so comfortable to be in the hands of such an able storyteller. Don't miss out on this wonderful novel of Irelands fight for independence.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Cannot Begin To Describe
Review: I began this book thinking that it would be an interesting account of the Irish struggle for freedom. However, upon reading the book I found that it was more than a book. Uris takes you firsthand into another life. He makes your heart ach with the characters as the Irish struggle develops. The characters, notably Conor Larkin, are with you every step of the way on your journey through British treachery. Although the book centers around this one character, a country of characters bump in and out of your heart, both protestant and catholic, and leave you impacted in a way that you will never forget. This is not a quick read by any means, and if you walk away from the book without a tear in your eye and an ach in your heart then you must have read the wrong book. I was not only moved to tears in many pages of this book, but the pain that is inflicted on the characters brought me to physical sickness more than once. Do not get me wrong, Uris does not use graphic images of bloodshed to reach you; he is much too great an author to do that. The pain will be inflicted from the plight of the characters themselves. You cannot afford to miss the chance to read such an amazing piece of literature.
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