A rebellion to be never forgotten

Synopsis

A country rebelling
It’s 1916 and, as war rages in Europe, Gráinne leaves her job in a department store to join Countess Markiewicz’s revolutionary efforts. It is a decision which will change her life forever. A rebellion is brewing, and as Dublin’s streets become a battleground, Gráinne soon discovers the personal cost of fighting for what you believe in…

A forgotten sacrifice
Decades on, student Nicky is recovering from a break-up when a research project leads her to her great-grandmother’s experiences in revolutionary Ireland. When Nicky finds a long-forgotten handkerchief amongst her great-grandmother’s things, it leads to the revelation of a heartbreakingstory of tragedy and courage, and those who sacrificed everything for their country.

Inspired by a heartbreaking true story, this emotional historical novel will sweep you away to the Emerald Isle. Perfect for fans of Jean Grainger, Sandy Taylor and Fiona Valpy.

My review

In 1998 Nicky is looking for inspiration for a research project. She wants to find something original and worth talking about. And even is her relationship with her parents is strained, as they (and specially her mother) sees her as a rebel, it’s the family past that gives Nicky the right subject.
Because it’s her own great – grandmother Gráinne that joined in 1916 the revolutions in Ireland. Gráinne left her job in a department store to join the cause, but also learns the hard lessons that during rebellions that fighting for what you believe comes at a high cost… 

I have to admit, that my knowledge of the Irish history is rather limited… Of course I am aware of the fact it was not an easy fight for Ireland to gain their independence. But ask me for any kind of details, years, important characters, and all I could come up with is the famous U2 song… 

So in this matter, this was a very enlightening book, as I learned something completely new, fascinating and inspiring, but also about the hardships and sacrifices. But also about growing up (too fast perhaps in Gráinne’s case), maturing and understand yourself and your family’s history better. 

Gráinne is a young woman in 1916 living in an Ireland that still is under British ruling. An Ireland that dreams of being independent and the Irish people trying to fight for their country.
I admired how Gráinne feels that becoming joins the revolutionary efforts, something I cowardly have to admit wouldn’t be sure to be as courageous as Gráinne…
While things are escalating to its climax, we see how Gráinne goes from a young, perhaps a bit gullible woman, and grows, matures into a woman who sees and understand the sacrifices a fight brings. I liked it how we see how she starts to question not the rebellion, but if the cost is all worth it… Especially if in the end, the goal is only achieved years later… 

Having read several books of this author, with dual timelines, it’s often that the main characters never meet in real life. So I found it a nice change to see how Gráinne and Nicky are related to each other. and not related in a far away, as Gráinne is Nicky’s great – grandmother. 

I found that Nicky is somehow also having her own, personal rebellion. She is finding her own path, breaking up with her boyfriend, starting something with someone total different, and finds it difficult to have an easy relationship with her parents.
Of course, both main characters are fighting for total different things, but somehow that rebellious streak is something they have in common. 

Since Nicky visited Gráinne, there is a change in Nicky. She starts to that the people who love her will always have her back, even if they don’t always understand each other.
And Nicky starts to appreciate the family she has, and should show her appreciation more.  

After finishing this book, I found myself browsing on the internet, eager to learn more about the Easter Rebellion. And I was a bit flabbergasted when I realized that some of the characters present in the story, were actual people who participated in the rebellion (again, only because of my own ignorance…).
And seeing how the author managed to blend reality with fiction, yet staying true to known facts, gave me goosebumps (in a good way). It’s easy to re-write a story of people with your imagination, but it’s harder to stick to the facts and let the readers get involved with the history. 

This story shows us that in the past many people made sacrifices to let us have the present we have now. And with remembering that past, with people we know, we get to see our sometimes own selfish ways, and the remembrance will let us mature and understand who we truly are.