Rating: 
Summary: Long but definitely worth it
Review: This is the longest book I've ever read, but it was worth every page! I loved how there were so many storylines going on at once. But they were easy to follow. Great love stories---it only gets better. I actually learned a lot about Ireland, too. =)
Rating: 
Summary: A Fictional Tale Rich in Historical Facts
Review: Young Irish-American Dermot Coyne, an inspiring writer, travels to Ireland to find his roots. His grandparents fled Ireland in 1922 during the troubles and with them they took a secret that could change history. Dermot's innocent probing into his family's past turns treacherous as members of an unknown network attempt to put an end to his investigation. Might Dermot solve the great twentieth century mystery: who killed Michael Collins? Were there millions in gold that disappeared after the Easter uprising and where might it be now? Could present peace in Northern Ireland be at stake because of political maneuvers of the past? Author Andrew Greeley skillfully blends history, romance, adventure, and mystery into this story that examines these questions.This novel is not without its flaws. Case in point, sugarcoated Irish dialogue and a budding romance between Dermot and the flawless Nuala McGrail that is too idealistic to grasp. Still, the thoroughly researched facts make up for the minor shortcomings of the book. Greeley himself describes the story as an exercise in historical speculation. The result of combining fiction with truth is that it adds a new dimension to critical thought. What one may have blindly accepted as bona fide becomes scrutinized. Greeley deserves praise for writing a book that captures the essence of a culture and a generation, while achieving in the reader a sense of self-debate.
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