Star of the Sea.

I approached this book with some scepticism but I have to say I was blown away.

Anyone else read it??

A really amazing book about a time which is neglected in modern novels.

Anyone else have any good books to suggest??

This one will be a hard act to follow.

While we're at it. What are your favourite books??

hurlinspuds (Cork) - Posts: 1494 - 19/10/2010 10:59:50    799299

I thought "A star called Henry" was excellent
Stephen Kings "Hearts in Atlantis" is one I couldn't put down.
Any of John Connollys or the "Harry Bosh" series if you like a detective book.
"Birdsong" by Stephen Faulks. I think you either love it or hate it. I have read it several times, over the years.

RAM85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 978 - 19/10/2010 12:30:02    799365

Its a great book alright hurlingspuds - his follow ups are not in the same league. But its an excellent window into the famine, landlords, etc, as well as a great story.

In terms of stuff out now, I highly highly recommend Thomas Bartlett's new book, Ireland: A History - its easily the best single volume history of Ireland ever, but doesn't read like an academic textbook - its a very good read, and provides an easy to understand way of looking at history.

In terms of literature, there isn't a huge amount of good material out now (Irish in any rate) - have you read Carlos Ruis Zafon's book The Shadow of the Wind? If you like Starof the Sea I reckon you might like that.

Just finished rereading Fatherland by Harris last night myself - great book!

abhainn (Galway) - Posts: 1000 - 19/10/2010 13:01:40    799388

Just read The Kite Runner there, a very good read I thought. Very well written.

Reading "The Builders" at the minute. Its ok just, feel it goes into too much detail at times which isnt required to get the point accross.

Derry_ledd (Derry) - Posts: 2093 - 19/10/2010 13:03:55    799389

I'm currently reading Frederick Forsyth's latest thriller, "The Cobra". I'm a big fan of Forsysth's stuff (The Day of the Jackal, Avenger, The Afghan, Dogs of War) but I'm finding it hard to get into this one for some reason.

Fatherland by Robert Harris is another favourite. He provides an alternative history in which Nazi Germany actually won World War 2.

Also, anything by Irvine Welsh - black humour at its best.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10035 - 19/10/2010 14:14:57    799473

Ram85,

If you like detective books you should read any of the Swedish writer Henning Manklell's books !!

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 19/10/2010 15:25:37    799550

I like Ken Bruens books about Jack Taylor Ex Guard/PI in Galway - The guards/ Magdelen Martyrs etc.
Light enough reading but at the same time well written and the pub crawls would make you thirsty.

Common themes of battling with drink, dislike of the church, garda Corruption, dislike of celtic tiger etc.

Omar.d (Cavan) - Posts: 1141 - 19/10/2010 16:11:26    799600

Lockjaw
County: Donegal
Posts: 1477

I love all of Welsh's stuff. Funny and very dark. 'Glue' my personal favourite.

In terms of historical books. "How the Irish saved Civilisation" by Thomas Cahill is very interesting and a story that is not widely known.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13840 - 19/10/2010 16:55:54    799660

Thanks Slasher. I read Michael Conneely's "Angels Flight" when it came out and have been hooked on his stuff
ever since.

Never heard of your guy to be honest. I'll look him up.

RAM85 (Westmeath) - Posts: 978 - 19/10/2010 16:57:15    799664

Whats Star of The Sea about?

dammon (Meath) - Posts: 1291 - 19/10/2010 17:30:31    799709

dammon,

Its about whats happening now (almost) famine and emigration !!

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 19/10/2010 17:39:37    799721

Dammon, it is indeed set during the famine. It takes the different strands of irish society at the time and shows how their lives have all been intertwined for years in the lead up to the famine. The landed class are represented, as are landless Irish peasants starving. Much of the writing is shocking. I have to say it is extremely well written. Most of the action takes place on a coffin ship - the star of the sea - as it sets out from cobh ("queenstown") bound for NY.

hurlinspuds (Cork) - Posts: 1494 - 20/10/2010 21:11:05    800676

Star of the Sea is a great read but a very slow burner. Irvine Welsh's offerings are depressing to me and sometimes I feel he is being disguisting for the sake of it. That said I have read three or four of them from cover to cover so there must be something there. Recently read a decent book, Child 44, by a young English chap called Tom Rob Smith, it isn't very high brow but it is a real page turner, the same can't be said for the second part of the series, The Secret Speech, it was awful. The hype surrounding Steig Larsson's Millenium series is justified in my opinion and although I understand some people detest his works I recently read a Stephen King book, Dolores Claiborne, which was very good indeed. At the moment I am reading a booked by a man called Tim Brannigan called 'Growing up Black in Belfast' its very interesting.

CheFinny (UK) - Posts: 1358 - 21/10/2010 08:28:11    800718

Most recent novel I read was called 'Dark Fire' by author called CJ Sansom. It's kind of a 'whodunnit' set in Tudor England just after the reformation. Concept doesnt sound overly exciting but it's actually a very good book.

Goodfella, Tir (None) - Posts: 1652 - 21/10/2010 10:09:55    800777

Chefinny,

agree about Child 44 (nice, compelling read) and The Secret Speech (not up to scratch). They were his debut novels so there's definitely potential there.
As a story, very most likely exaggerated, Papillon is hard to beat.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10035 - 21/10/2010 10:40:32    800805

Goodfella, Tir
County: All
Posts: 529

800777 Most recent novel I read was called 'Dark Fire' by author called CJ Sansom. It's kind of a 'whodunnit' set in Tudor England just after the reformation. Concept doesnt sound overly exciting but it's actually a very good book.

This is the second book in a series written by Sansom. They are all based on the events during and immediately after the reformation and I found them to be excellent reads. They are the shardlake series . To date i have read the first 3 but there are 2 more. Also anything by Conn Iggulden is worth aread if you like historical novels.

derryman (Derry) - Posts: 3246 - 21/10/2010 10:54:15    800822

the millenium triology- stieg larsson

3 books- 5 stars

hornytoad (Cavan) - Posts: 141 - 21/10/2010 11:47:19    800872

hornytoad
County: Cavan
Posts: 115

800872 the millenium triology- stieg larsson

3 books- 5 stars


Almost finished the second book. Brilliant, would recommend anyoune to read it.

Dr.Shephard (Leitrim) - Posts: 2187 - 21/10/2010 12:00:44    800892

Thanks for the tip derryman. I knew Dark Fire was pert of a seris but must check out that other author you've mentioned.

Goodfella, Tir (None) - Posts: 1652 - 21/10/2010 14:39:42    801067

Dr.Shep

great read....am just finishing second book too......

after i finished first book i went and watched the dvd to help clear up confusion over characters!!!
gonna do the same arter finish second book makes things easier!

Hollywood are making a version of the movies now too...

hornytoad (Cavan) - Posts: 141 - 21/10/2010 17:04:03    801264