Seek the Fair Land

by Walter Macken

Book Overview

The first novel in Walter Macken's epic trilogy following one family through 300 years of Irish history This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0330303279
• ISBN13: 9780330303279
• Release Date: January 1988
• Publisher: Pan
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.8" x 1.2" x 5.1"

Customer Reviews

Irish History

This was one book in a trilogy. I have since ordered the other two and the condition of the books was exactly as described. If you have any interest in Irish history, this trilogy, by a fantastic author, is well worth reading. Loved it!!!!

a classic in the style of Steinbeck

This is on my list of the top ten best books of all time. It's historical fiction at its finest. The author knew a great deal about the way people lived in the seventeenth century, so he shows us a world none of us have ever known in our technological age. The characters are true to life in a way that would have done justice to any of Steinbeck's books.

Well Written and Easily Read

Walter Macken, a native of Galway, was born in 1915 and died in his home city at the age of 51. A writer, an actor and a playwright, he is perhaps best known for his novel "Flight of the Doves" - which was adapted for the cinema - and his "Irish Trilogy". "Seek the Fair Land" is the first book of this trilogy, and is set at the time of the Cromwellian Invasions. Although the book itself is a work of fiction, many of the 'background' events are true. Opening in 1641, the book's central character is Dominick McMahon - having previously lost everything in the Plantation, he now lives in Drogheda. A merchant by trade, he is a husband and a father when he first meets Murdoc - a warrior from the west of Ireland. Dominic himself has little appetite for fighting - though eight years later, he is forced to defend his town against Cromwell's invading army. Within two days of Cromwell's arrival, the town had fallen, with women, children and priests among the estimated 4000 dead. Dominic, however, survives the attack and is forced to flee the city. While his wife, Eibhlinn, is killed in the siege, his son - Peter - and daughter - Mary Ann - also survive. However, the soldier who killed Eibhlinn also left Peter mute with a blow to the head. Joining the family on their escape is a member of the clergy, Father Sebastian, who was rescued by Dominic in the town. They move westwards, towards an area Murdoc had described to Dominic eight years previously - where he hopes he'll be able to raise his family in peace. I've read a number of Walter Macken's books, and I've found each one very easy to read - like Michael McLaverty, he's a natural storyteller. It isn't always a cheerful book - life for Dominick, his family and Sebastian is a genuine struggle. However, it is a book I'd highly recommend. The remaining books of the trilogy are "The Silent People" and "The Scorching Wind" - well worth reading if you've enjoyed this one.

Good historical fiction from 17th century Ireland

As a fan of Fantasy/Sci-Fi, this book was a good read during a recent trip to Ireland. Mr. Macken weaves a terrible time in Irish history (Cromwell's march through the Ireland sacking and looting) into a work of fiction that is part heroic epic, part Catholic religious teaching, and part pure allegorical myth-making. As a non-Catholic and only part Irish American, this was interesting for it's descriptions of the role the church played during these times and the descriptions of day-to-day life in the Connemara countryside during the mid to late 17th centruy. This is more Michael Moorcock than it is Oxford History, though... If you could lie on a beach on Galway Bay and read a novel, this would be a great choice. This is part of a trilogy Mr. Macken wrote before his untimely death at age 52(?). The other two novels cover more recent periods in Irish history.