1921

After a fat handful of Irish historicals about legendary figures like Finn Mac Cool, Llywelyn strode into modern times and Ireland’s Easter Rising in 1916 (1998) and now in 1921 chronicles the separation of Ireland into two states, basing much of her narrative on reportage by her own journalist grandfather. She includes as well source notes for each chapter and a lengthy bibliography. Narrator Henry Mooney, based on Llywelyn’s grandfather, joins other real-life people as he seeks the truth behind bloody events, then falls for Ella, a Brit who has been taught Irish history by Ireland’s conquerors and thinks Henry unwise to follow about Michael Collins and the rebels. The love story stays afloat with Ella getting pregnant, while Llywelyn supports her lively pages with hundreds of daily clippings pasted throughout.

A nation’s agony, with sequels forthcoming.