Maybe even better than his later The Secret Scripture (bwl 63) and On Canaan's Side (bwl 65) Irish Willie Dunne joins the British army in 1914. On leave from the trenches, he finds Dublin in turmoil over independence and his profound loyalties are shaken. His closest comrade is revealed as having betrayed his one sexual infidelity to his beloved. On one side life-saving camaraderie, on the other progressive loss of certainties, love, life. Heartbreaking but with the prefect poise of Greek tragedy.
(Annabel Bedini - bwl 68 Spring 2013 ) |
