Terrible Beauty

By Peter T. King

Book Overview

Bernadette Hanlon, a Belfast housewife, strives to keep her children apart from the violence that surrounds them. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1568332254
• ISBN13: 9781568332253
• Release Date: April 2001
• Publisher: Roberts Rinehart Publishers
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

An excellent bird's-eye view of the Troubles

Speaking as someone who has lived through the Troubles since 1984, and lived through 8 bombings, including the world trade center, I can fully identify with the characters and the predicaments they find themselves in. If anyone wants to grasp just a few of the reasons why the struggle has gone on so long, and how human rights can so easily be denied people even in the late 20th century, even at the present time, they must read this book. My only complaints are that he has not quite got the 'dialect' of Belfast totally correct, and some of the speeches, rather than the dialogue, go on for far longer than they should. The book lacks a certain visual richness one would expect from a novel about Ireland, Belfast in particular, with the gorgeous loch and hills and some of his geography is a bit off. Also, I am not so sure that making the main character commit an atrocity herself was necessary, given the huge success she has later in telling the world about the atrocities the British carry out.Still, a remarkable achievement which reminds us that we can never take freedom for granted.

A great focus story on the troubles

Peter King does a great job of giving the reader a tase of life in northern Ireland by focusing mainly on the story of one family. The book offered tremendous perspective on the troubles. Also, the use of language was well done and gave the reader a taste of the local dialect. Very enjoyable.

Not just another work by just another politician

Pete King, in this wonderful novel, tells of the struggles of those seeking freedom from oppression in the North of Ireland. He fights for Northern Ireland because that is his heritage. He fights for America because this is his home. I wish that all leaders would display the same courage, integrity and honor that Congressman King displays. I highly recommend this novel.

Not just another work by just another politician

"Terrible Beauty" is not just another work by just another politician. This is a work by a true and honest man. He wrote "Terrible Beauty" to show the world the oppression faced by those in the North of Ireland. He speaks his mind and votes his conscience. This country needs more leaders like Pete King. Pete King stands for honesty, integrity, pride and most importantly humility. He fights for the Northern Irish because that is his heritage. He fights for America because that is his home.

This is a well-written, fast-paced novel.

In this terrific novel, King clearly describes the lives and motivations of republican Catholics in the north of Ireland. The author does an excellent job expressing their hopes and fears.