Rating: 
Summary: a Pacifist look
Review: I picked up this book because I enjoyed Ms. Llywelyn's book on Brian Boru, the great king of Ireland. This book grabbed my attention immediately because it begins with action...By the end of the book, not all my questions about the characters were answered, and not all the situations were resolved, but I thought that was an adequate commentary on the turbulent times the characters were living in. Not knowing much about the period, I thought the book was well written and the characters were beautifully drawn--real and fictional (or were they fictional?). I had a sneaking suspicion that the author was related, somehow, to the main characters in the book---but maybe it was just coincidence that her grandparent's names were the same. Anyway, a good book...enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: a Pacifist look
Review: I picked up this book because I enjoyed Ms. Llywelyn's book on Brian Boru, the great king of Ireland. This book grabbed my attention immediately because it begins with action...By the end of the book, not all my questions about the characters were answered, and not all the situations were resolved, but I thought that was an adequate commentary on the turbulent times the characters were living in. Not knowing much about the period, I thought the book was well written and the characters were beautifully drawn--real and fictional (or were they fictional?). I had a sneaking suspicion that the author was related, somehow, to the main characters in the book---but maybe it was just coincidence that her grandparent's names were the same. Anyway, a good book...enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: great read
Review: I was browsing @ Borders when I came across Llywelyn's latest on Eire. It was a fabulous. I strongly recommend it. Llywelyn weaved the story of the uprising from 1916-1922 effectively with the story of Henry Mooney and Ned Halloran. I think this an excellent historical novel. The depiction of the struggles and rivalry between Michael Collins & Eamon DeValera were enlightening as well as the story of the civil war after 1921.
Rating: 
Summary: I wanted to love this book...
Review: I'm disappointed in this book. It still has a lot of the 'Forrest Gump'-yness of the last (the main character just so happens to be in the middle of every single historic event) but it has been toned down, almost on purpose it seems, to the point where Henry never sees anything important (except political meetings) with his own eyes; he simply writes about the battles and skirmishes. 1916 included a battle scene that had me awake until five in the morning captivated. It's not up to par, and the 1916 was nothing stunning either. The depth and gravity of the writing is adequate but nowhere near special. Historical accuracy is appreciated, but it is at the expense of fictional flair. Instead of history and fiction conversing together, comingling to form an argument, the whisper of a story is pushed aside by the booming shout of the history.
Rating:
Summary: Hindsight in Objectivity
Review: In 1921 the author achieves the highest spiritual level of the ancient celtic trade of the Bard/Shanachie. Her passion in storytelling for such a serious subject and easily the most important era and turning point in Irish History and Politics in no way prevents her from telling every side of the story. From the King of England's speech in the North of Ireland at that time to how the democratic will of American Congress in relation to subject of Irish Freedom being ignored in the interest's of international relations at the meeting of The League of Nations.
All these historical facts are firmly embodying a fictional story of romance, passion, pride, determination and the universally and purely human struggle for freedom. This combination of fiction and unrelentlessly well researched facts spins a yarn that would be fit for a High King at the Halls of Tara. The events all take place around the Life of a Journalists who has the integrity and is man enough to put his own feelings aside to report fairly and honestly his assingments to his employer's who own the papers he writes for. This in itself serves as a micrcosm for the way in which the overall story is told. A must read for sure. Also a much needed refreshing look on such a sensitve subject that is so full of conflict.
Rating:
Summary: HISTORY TELLS WHAT HAPPENED, FICTION TELLS HOW IT FELT
Review: In this sequel to her powerful novel, 1916, Morgan Llywelyn revisits the Irish struggle for independence. Although Ned Halloran, the main character in 1916, continues to be an important character in this book, this is the story of the events of 1916-1922 as seen through the eyes of Ned's friend, journalist Henry Mooney. Via a journalist's eyes the reader is treated to a very personal view of the events in the aftermath of the 1916 Easter Rising and Ireland's struggle for independence. As a journalist, Henry is privy to a lot of private information - some he isn't even able to print. In 1921 the events become more than just dates and places and the people involved more than just names. They become very real to the reader as Henry finds himself smack dab in the middle of much of the action. His friendship with Michael Collins is at the forefront of the story, but as Henry tries his best to remain neutral after the treaty is signed, it is clear it is going to be very difficult for him to do so. There's romance for Henry as well. He falls for widow Ella Rutledge, an Irish native of English ancestry, a protestant whose family allegiance lies with the British. Will he ever find true happiness with the beautiful, intelligent young woman when her family feels like they do? I was surprised to see that Llywelyn used Henry as the protagonist instead of Ned, but I applaud her for doing this as in so doing she was able to give a more objective point of view - something that might appear very difficult to do. Even though the reader may be aware of many of the historical events, he/she is still stunned at the brutality and the atrocities of war in a story which it is difficult to know which side to sympathize with as horrible, unspeakable acts of brutality were carried out by both sides. It becomes clear it isn't as simple as Catholics vs. Protestants. By the time the reader finishes these two novels (1916 and 1921) they are certain to have a better understanding of today's Irish "Troubles" -- although understanding doesn't mean condoning the violence. One can only hope that Llywelyn is planning to continue this series as has done such a spectacular job and as Henry tells Ned, "History tells what happened; literature tells what it felt like."
Rating:
Summary: HISTORY TELLS WHAT HAPPENED, FICTION TELLS HOW IT FELT
Review: In this sequel to her powerful novel, 1916, Morgan Llywelyn revisits the Irish struggle for independence. Although Ned Halloran, the main character in 1916, continues to be an important character in this book, this is the story of the events of 1916-1922 as seen through the eyes of Ned's friend, journalist Henry Mooney. Via a journalist's eyes the reader is treated to a very personal view of the events in the aftermath of the 1916 Easter Rising and Ireland's struggle for independence. As a journalist, Henry is privy to a lot of private information - some he isn't even able to print. In 1921 the events become more than just dates and places and the people involved more than just names. They become very real to the reader as Henry finds himself smack dab in the middle of much of the action. His friendship with Michael Collins is at the forefront of the story, but as Henry tries his best to remain neutral after the treaty is signed, it is clear it is going to be very difficult for him to do so. There's romance for Henry as well. He falls for widow Ella Rutledge, an Irish native of English ancestry, a protestant whose family allegiance lies with the British. Will he ever find true happiness with the beautiful, intelligent young woman when her family feels like they do? I was surprised to see that Llywelyn used Henry as the protagonist instead of Ned, but I applaud her for doing this as in so doing she was able to give a more objective point of view - something that might appear very difficult to do. Even though the reader may be aware of many of the historical events, he/she is still stunned at the brutality and the atrocities of war in a story which it is difficult to know which side to sympathize with as horrible, unspeakable acts of brutality were carried out by both sides. It becomes clear it isn't as simple as Catholics vs. Protestants. By the time the reader finishes these two novels (1916 and 1921) they are certain to have a better understanding of today's Irish "Troubles" -- although understanding doesn't mean condoning the violence. One can only hope that Llywelyn is planning to continue this series as has done such a spectacular job and as Henry tells Ned, "History tells what happened; literature tells what it felt like."
Rating: 
Summary: Llywelyn offers up a compelling history but little else
Review: Morgan Llywelyn has made a franchise out of Irish history and mythology, providing fictionalized accounts of many major events and figures. "1921" continues in this vein, another painstaking blend of history and fiction. Llywelyn picks up almost where her prequel "1916" left off and follows the Irish struggle for total independence from the United Kingdom. Told from the perspective of newspaper reporter Henry Mooney, Llywelyn gives an insider's view of the efforts to secure an Irish Free State. She does well characterizing historical figures such as the enigmatic Eamon de Valera and the complicated, charismatic Michael Collins, but where she falters is in her original creations. The same cliches that plagued "1916" abound in "1921"--the plucky Irish speak in cadences heard more often in Hollywood than Limerick and the fictional subplots quickly devolve into predictable melodrama. Henry Mooney is a bit of a wet blanket hiding behind a byline, which he uses to spread anti-British sentiment without taking arms. His good friend, Ned Halloran (who was the focus of "1916") becomes deeply involved in the IRA, encouraged by his wife Sile Duffy, a red-haired stereotype of the fiery Irish woman. Henry's wooing of the rich Anglo-Irish widow Ella Rutledge is a meandering, ultimately unsatisfying distraction, and the cloyingly precocious, one-dimensional Ursula "Precious" Halloran, Ned and Sile's adopted daughter, does little more than annoy. Making Henry Mooney the eyewitness to history is quite helpful, if a bit coincidental, but the subplots involving these characters add little to the novel. Llywelyn sprinkles the book with carefully-footnoted Irish slang and expressions as well as historical citations, perhaps to establish her credibility, a gesture that seems a bit excessive. Llywelyn has already shown her gifts as an historian. Her meticulous recreation helps clarify a dense, complex chain of events. Where she needs help is in the writing itself. When not recreating history, Llywelyn seems out of her depth. Anyone who seeks a narrative-driven account of the Irish fight for independence will likely find this book informative and enjoyable. Those expecting Llywelyn to create a work that is as poetic and artful as it is exhaustively researched will probably be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Llywelyn offers up a compelling history but little else
Review: Morgan Llywelyn has made a franchise out of Irish history and mythology, providing fictionalized accounts of many major events and figures. "1921" continues in this vein, another painstaking blend of history and fiction. Llywelyn picks up almost where her prequel "1916" left off and follows the Irish struggle for total independence from the United Kingdom. Told from the perspective of newspaper reporter Henry Mooney, Llywelyn gives an insider's view of the efforts to secure an Irish Free State. She does well characterizing historical figures such as the enigmatic Eamon de Valera and the complicated, charismatic Michael Collins, but where she falters is in her original creations. The same cliches that plagued "1916" abound in "1921"--the plucky Irish speak in cadences heard more often in Hollywood than Limerick and the fictional subplots quickly devolve into predictable melodrama. Henry Mooney is a bit of a wet blanket hiding behind a byline, which he uses to spread anti-British sentiment without taking arms. His good friend, Ned Halloran (who was the focus of "1916") becomes deeply involved in the IRA, encouraged by his wife Sile Duffy, a red-haired stereotype of the fiery Irish woman. Henry's wooing of the rich Anglo-Irish widow Ella Rutledge is a meandering, ultimately unsatisfying distraction, and the cloyingly precocious, one-dimensional Ursula "Precious" Halloran, Ned and Sile's adopted daughter, does little more than annoy. Making Henry Mooney the eyewitness to history is quite helpful, if a bit coincidental, but the subplots involving these characters add little to the novel. Llywelyn sprinkles the book with carefully-footnoted Irish slang and expressions as well as historical citations, perhaps to establish her credibility, a gesture that seems a bit excessive. Llywelyn has already shown her gifts as an historian. Her meticulous recreation helps clarify a dense, complex chain of events. Where she needs help is in the writing itself. When not recreating history, Llywelyn seems out of her depth. Anyone who seeks a narrative-driven account of the Irish fight for independence will likely find this book informative and enjoyable. Those expecting Llywelyn to create a work that is as poetic and artful as it is exhaustively researched will probably be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Llywelyn offers up a compelling history but little else
Review: Morgan Llywelyn has made a franchise out of Irish history and mythology, providing fictionalized accounts of many major events and figures. "1921" continues in this vein, another painstaking blend of history and fiction. Llywelyn picks up almost where her prequel "1916" left off and follows the Irish struggle for total independence from the United Kingdom. Told from the perspective of newspaper reporter Henry Mooney, Llywelyn gives an insider's view of the efforts to secure an Irish Free State. She does well characterizing historical figures such as the enigmatic Eamon de Valera and the complicated, charismatic Michael Collins, but where she falters is in her original creations. The same cliches that plagued "1916" abound in "1921"--the plucky Irish speak in cadences heard more often in Hollywood than Limerick and the fictional subplots quickly devolve into predictable melodrama. Henry Mooney is a bit of a wet blanket hiding behind a byline, which he uses to spread anti-British sentiment without taking arms. His good friend, Ned Halloran (who was the focus of "1916") becomes deeply involved in the IRA, encouraged by his wife Sile Duffy, a red-haired stereotype of the fiery Irish woman. Henry's wooing of the rich Anglo-Irish widow Ella Rutledge is a meandering, ultimately unsatisfying distraction, and the cloyingly precocious, one-dimensional Ursula "Precious" Halloran, Ned and Sile's adopted daughter, does little more than annoy. Making Henry Mooney the eyewitness to history is quite helpful, if a bit coincidental, but the subplots involving these characters add little to the novel. Llywelyn sprinkles the book with carefully-footnoted Irish slang and expressions as well as historical citations, perhaps to establish her credibility, a gesture that seems a bit excessive. Llywelyn has already shown her gifts as an historian. Her meticulous recreation helps clarify a dense, complex chain of events. Where she needs help is in the writing itself. When not recreating history, Llywelyn seems out of her depth. Anyone who seeks a narrative-driven account of the Irish fight for independence will likely find this book informative and enjoyable. Those expecting Llywelyn to create a work that is as poetic and artful as it is exhaustively researched will probably be disappointed.
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