Parnell A Novel
Parnell A Novel by Brian Cregan, published by History Press Ireland in 2014, is a historical fiction work that explores the life of Charles Stewart Parnell, a pivotal figure in Irish politics. The narrative begins in Dublin in March 1874, where a young Parnell, at just 26 years old, faces a challenging public speaking debut as a candidate for Ireland’s Home Rule Party. This initial setback propels him on a journey to find his voice and assert his influence, ultimately reshaping the political landscape of Ireland and England.
The novel is presented through the perspective of Parnell’s loyal secretary, James Harrison, providing a unique lens on the events that defined Parnell’s life. Readers will encounter significant moments, from the tumultuous debates in the House of Commons to the struggles faced in the impoverished villages of Ireland. The story delves into the complexities of political power and personal ambition, illustrating how one man’s character could profoundly impact the fate of two nations. With 441 pages, this edition offers a detailed exploration of Parnell’s remarkable journey and the historical context surrounding his legacy.
Official synopsis Publisher
Gladstone paused for a moment, reflecting on the verdict he was about to deliver. “I have thought on this for some time,” he said, “and I would say that Mr. Parnell was the most remarkable man I ever met … He was a phenomenon. He did things quite unlike other men. He said things quite unlike other men … I would say that he was a genius – a genius of a most uncommon order.”
Dublin, March 1874: Charles Stewart Parnell, only 26 years old, speaks in public for the first time as a candidate for Ireland’s Home Rule Party. Hesitant and nervous, he stumbles through his speech to the sound of booing and leaves the platform humiliated. He vows that in future he will find his voice–and make it heard. Within three years of this speech, Parnell made the House of Commons unworkable; within six years he had destroyed the landlords in Ireland; and within a decade he controlled the House of Commons and put English Prime Ministers in and out of government at will. Parnell: A Novel charts the life of this most enigmatic and remarkable of men, as seen through the eyes of his loyal secretary James Harrison. From the Houses of Parliament to the blighted villages of the West of Ireland, from the courtrooms of the Royal Courts of Justice to the cells of Kilmainham Gaol, this is the story of how the character of one man could alter the fate of two nations.
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