"I'm Connor Larkin. I'm an Irishman and I've had enough".(in an English prison while being persuadedby jainneil

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September 24, 2009: Nationalism, Individuality, honour, the grim struggle for basic existence, and determination -there is enough of everything for everyone in Trinity by Leon Uris. A mini-epic in itself, Trinity is a thriller, love story and a work of historical fiction all woven into a beautiful compilation. It brings out the complexities of Ireland through the eyes of two simple Irish lads Connor Larkin and Seamus O'Neill, tracing their life and the people around them. The novel is set during the decades - the 1840s to 1916.

The book opens with the death, forewarning the reader of things to come. The opening pages set the tone for the rest of the novel with the peasants shown as living in abject poverty. The British and the Church are equally responsible - the former using colonialism and the latter- superstition and dogmas.

The author beautifully intertwines fact with fiction, and history with the story. There are three parties to the struggle - the Irish Catholic natives, Protestant immigrants, and the English who control both through a policy of divide and rule using the landed aristocracy and religion as bait. The reasons behind the Potato famine are discussed as also the plight of the people who "died with green mouths ..from eating grass."

Religion binds the Protestant Irishmen to the British and we see passions being whipped by pastors which spill over into full blown riots. The landed gentry use these priests to "keep the Catholic and Protestant mobs separated and fighting one another."

The book reaches its climax in the trial of Connor Larkin. I would be doing injustice to the book by revealing the grand finale at which the book ends. Each character in the story is dealt with beautifully and the author takes care to tie all the loose ends up in the end.

What makes this book stand out in contrast to the others? Many reasons in fact. First and foremost, this book is a work of historical fiction. He narrates the Irish history from the Potato famine to the Easter uprising of 1916 using fictional characters. Secondly, very powerful emotions are brought out in the entire book. Nationalism, bigotry, family ties, friendship, and relationships - the novel gives equal treatment to all. One is moved by Connor's struggle against the British and simultaneously his yearning to lead a normal happy married life. The dialogue delivery is excellent and makes the reader sit up and notice. The complexity of Ireland with its three cornered contest (hence the title Trinity) is simplified through the story of the three different families in the book. However it is not all philosophy and heavy weather. In the end it is a story with a storyline and plot which builds up to a climax. Some of the lines of the book are timeless valuable pieces which can be quoted even in today's global context.

On the downside,the book is voluminous and not for the fast breezy reader. Sometimes the story spins off to the many subplots. However credit goes to the author to bring back all the subplots back to the central theme. At 900 pages in small print, the book requires time and patience but the reader is in the end rewarded with an entirely satisfying experience. This book is a must read for anyone who is interested in historical fiction, drama, nationalism and revolutionary movements.

It has been learnt that HBO is planning a movie/ television series and has bought rights to the book. I hope that the eventual movie is as good as the book.

An Inspiring Irish Storyby Anonymous

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January 12, 2005: Leon Uris introduces Trinity, a novel of extraordinary Irish history and tragedy. Rarely does anyone talk about the struggles of the Irish and the fight against the British. Uris is one of the few who take people into ?the terrible beauty? of Ireland, by putting pen to paper. Trinity is an interesting story of great heroes who die trying to save Ireland from the hands of the British. However, it is also a story of love ? not only the love for another person, but also the love for one?s nation. In this book, the greatest love is the love for Ireland. Trinity invites readers on a quest to Irish history. Uris sets his novel in the mid-1800?s to the early 1900?s. This time period is the beginning of Industrialization for Ireland. At this time, Britain is in control of Ireland. Protestants and Catholics have been turned against each other. This hatred of each other leads toward violence and separation. Uris explains these feelings of resentment and hatred so vividly that the reader starts to feel them too. The battles and riots are brutal, unfeeling, and violently alive. Uris does not hide anything form his readers. He wants them to picture the tortured, bloodied bodies of the Irish. He wishes to reveal the appalling control over the Irish Catholics by the British. The inferiority of these Irish can be seen all throughout the book. These Irish are treated so badly, after the British have stolen their land under their feet that it makes the readers almost cry. The pages of Trinity are filled with pain and suffering, bringing out the reader?s emotions. The fight for Independence of Ireland is an on-going war. Reading this novel, one can ask themselves, how are the British able to steal Ireland and take over the Irish? This is a question that comes to everyone?s minds. The characters that join in this fight are the ones who have pride for Ireland. This pride keeps them fighting to the death for Independence. Some of these characters are torn between their nationalism and their feelings for their loved ones. Eventually in Trinity, nationalism wins. Trinity shows readers strong love, nationalism, and reveals martyrs. Leon Uris is a splendid storyteller who seems as if he had been in the midst of all this Irish history. He reveals the morals of characters and lessons so that the reader can learn from them. Trinity is a masterpiece written truly to inspire people to acknowledge the struggles of Ireland. It is a tribute to those who have fought for Ireland independence or died trying. Anyone who reads this book will be filled with compassion and inspiration. They will enjoy reading about how the love for one?s country can make one do crazy things. Trinity is a beautiful story that reveals the true past and sends the message to readers that a great fight is one filled with great love.