Frank Delaney delved into the depths of human experience and Irish history with his writing. His prose is characterized by rich language and a penetrating gaze into the complex relationships between people and their past. Delaney explored themes of identity, memory, and the constant negotiation between tradition and modernity. His work resonates with timeless power, offering readers a profoundly moving experience.
Set in 1950s Ireland, the narrative immerses readers in a richly detailed landscape filled with vibrant characters. The story explores the intricate political and personal relationships that shape the lives of its inhabitants, offering a compelling blend of historical context and emotional depth. Delaney's vivid descriptions create an engaging atmosphere that brings the era to life, making it a captivating read.
One evening in 1951, an itinerant storyteller arrives unannounced and mysterious at a house in the Irish countryside. By the November fireside he begins to tell the story of this extraordinary land. One of his listeners, a nine-year-old boy, grows so entranced by the storytelling that, when the old man leaves, he devotes his life to finding him again. It is a search that uncovers both passions and mysteries, in his own life as well as the old man's, and their solving become the thrilling climax to this tale. But the life of this boy is more than just his story: it is also the telling of a people, the narrative of a nation, the history of Ireland in all its drama, intrigue and heroism. 'Ireland' travels through the centuries by way of story after story, from the savage grip of the Ice Age to the green and troubled land of tourist brochures and news headlines. Along the way, we meet foolish kings and innocent monks, god-heroes and great works of art, shrewd Norman raiders and envoys from Rome, leaders, poets and lovers. Each illuminates the magic of Ireland, the power of England and the eternal connection to the land.
The powerful new thriller from one of Britain's most skilled and wide-ranging novelists and broadcasters, featuring Nicholas Newman, the hero of The Amethysts, the pscyhological thriller acclaimed by the Sunday Telegraph as 'harrowing, absorbing ... unforgettable'. Played out in the arena of football, Pearl is a compelling story in which the past rises to dominate the present and perhaps the future. Nicholas Newman, affluent, successful, but emotionally unresolved, is a reluctant discoverer of events that took place during the Second World War. Placed under huge moral pressure by the terms of a dead friend's bequest, he stumbles upon a secret that directs the violence on the football terraces of Europe. One of his clients holds the key. Johan Pearl -- 'the Black Pearl' -- a Dutch international footballer, has commissioned Newman to design his house. With the plans comes extraordinary violence, and Nicholas Newman is once again at the centre of a psychological mystery that he can resolve only by examining his own life.
A tale of love and revenge told in the alternating voices of the two main characters.
Set against the backdrop of January 1932 Ireland, the story follows young Ben MacCarthy as he embarks on a quest to retrieve his father, who has abandoned the family for a life with the captivating Venetia Kelly of a traveling variety troupe. This journey transforms into a coming-of-age odyssey, filled with a rich cast of characters, including Venetia's enigmatic family and a truth-telling ventriloquist's dummy. The narrative explores themes of abandonment, identity, and the quest for belonging over a decade of tumultuous change.
This book aims to trace the origin, growth, flowering and eventual decline of the Celts, a people who are traditionally portrayed as wild, excitable, warlike, ferocious and uncivilized. In truth, despite their numerical smallness they made a major contribution to Western civilization.
Set against the backdrop of World War II, a man named Ben MacCarthy grapples with the mystery of his missing wife while collecting stories for the Irish Folklore Commission. His journey leads him to the intriguing Miss Kate Begley, the Matchmaker of Kenmare, sparking a deep friendship. However, the arrival of an American officer complicates matters, as they embark on a dangerous espionage mission in London. The novel explores themes of love, neutrality, and the complexities of war, blending history with myth in a compelling narrative.
After the slaughter of his girlfriend by an unknown assassin, Nicholas Newman wants only to start afresh. However, when a link is made between killings across Europe, he reluctantly agrees to help the police again. When attempts are made on his life, he realizes his nightmare has only just begun.
