Easter Rising 1916 A Family Answers The Call For Ireland`s Freedom

Irish men and women joined the Easter Rising on April 14, 1916. They did so for true Irish independence, an end to prejudice against minorities and freedom from British rule. The Easter Rising began when the Proclamation was read by Patrick Pearse outside the GPO declaring Ireland`s right for independence and equality for all her people. The Rising ended with vicious violence, the executions of the leaders along with 90 other people all buried an an unmarked mass grave. More than 3,430 men and 79 women were arrested across Ireland after the event. 420 people died. The Ireland of 1916, after two weeks, would change forever.

This book describes the story of two brothers and one sister of the McGowan family. These were real life Irish men and women of principle and they had a belief in Ireland`s freedom. The family were determined to gain independence for Irish people under the leadership of Padraig Pearce and James Connolly. Discover the fate of the two brothers and one sister and find out if their vision of Ireland was achieved.

The author Gabriel Woods has researched in detail the occurrences of Easter Week 1916 from various sources. The events of the Easter Rising 1916 are factual. The stories about Charlie, Claude and Josephine McGowan are true events recorded by Gabriel Woods from a surviving relative.

Easter week 1916 was a time of violence and death as the people of Dublin and Ireland were thrown into disarray and fear. It was also a time of heroic deeds. This book takes you on an informative, well researched and dramatic journey through the events of the Easter Rising 1916. The aftermath is also described and whether the principles of the Men and Women of 1916 Rising were achieved.

Review:
When writing a book review, I am always very conscious of simply rewriting or repeating the synopsis. I find this unnecessary and unhelpful to other readers. So … without analysing too deeply (or giving the plot away) ‘Easter Rising 1916: A Family Answers The Call For Ireland’s Freedom’ is a good read and, I believe, accessible to all readers.

The author has blended social issues at the roots of The Rising with historically factual events and human emotions to create a powerful novel. I found the cast of characters effective, believable and engaging. I cared about the characters and found myself wanting to know what happened to them as the story and the drama unfolded. I experienced a range of emotions and I felt very moved by the plight of the characters.

The author effectively contrasts two very different worlds that co-exist and collide, highlighting suffering and social injustice. The hidden, dirty, grey, poverty-stricken, suffering, helplessness and sickness of Mary’s life is juxtaposed with Paul’s privileged and picturesque life in Dublin, by the sea, where castles and gardens are covered in roses and rhododendrons. Despite the differences, their paths cross in an unimaginable way and their lives are forever changed by the events that unfold before them.

The imagery is very descriptive and haunting and there are supernatural elements as Mary is prophetically gifted and seems ‘ghostly’ in her ‘long white dress’ that ‘almost seemed to glow’. Interesting also, that Mary and her family are devoutly religious and have a strong faith that ‘kept them alive’ – despite their suffering. I love Mary’s character and strength.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend it. It was interesting from the beginning to the end and I found it informative.

Book Reviewer: Kelly