Description

Author/Contributor(s):	Flanagan, Thomas; Deane, Seamus
Publisher:	NYRB Classics
Date:	10/31/2004
Binding:	Paperback
Condition:	NEW

In 1798, Irish patriots, committed to freeing their country from England, landedwith a company of French troops in County Mayo, in westernmost Ireland. They weresupposed to be an advance guard, followed by other French ships with the leader ofthe rebellion, Wolfe Tone. Briefly they triumphed, raising hopes among the impoverishedlocal peasantry and gathering a group of supporters. But before long the insurgencycollapsed in the face of a brutal English counterattack.

Very few books succeedin registering the sudden terrible impact of historical events; Thomas Flanagan’sis one. Subtly conceived, masterfully paced, with a wide and memorable cast of characters,The Year of the French brings to life peasants and landlords, Protestants and Catholics,along with old and abiding questions of secular and religious commitments, empire,occupation, and rebellion. It is quite simply a great historical novel.

Named the most distinguished work of fiction in 1979 by the National Book Critics’ Circle.