The Sunken Road - A powerful authentic novel about First World War William Boyd

'Ciarán McMenamin confirms his exceptional talent with this admirably powerful and authentic novel about the First World War and the struggle for Irish independence. Tremendous' William Boyd

Longlisted for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction

Annie, Francie and Archie were inseparable growing up, but in 1914 the boys are seduced by the drama of the Great War. Before leaving their small Irish village for the trenches, Francie promises his true love Annie that he will bring her little brother home safe.

Six years later Francie is on the run, a wanted man in the Irish war of Independence. He needs Annie's help to escape safely across the border, but that means confronting the truth about why Archie never came back....

For readers of Sebastian Faulks, Ian McEwan and Sebastian Barry

About the author

Ciaran McMenamin was born in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, in 1975. A graduate of the RSAMD, he has worked extensively for the past twenty years as an actor in film, television and theatre. His acclaimed first novel, Skintown, was a WHSmith Fresh Talent pick.

Summary

A powerful and gripping novel about love, loyalty and obsession set during WWI and the Irish War of Independence. Annie, Francie and Archie were inseparable growing up, but in 1914 the boys are seduced by the drama of the Great War.

Report

A powerful reflection on complex Irish loyalties, divisions and identities, a romantic drama, and a page-turning thriller. Irish Times

Product details

• Authors: Ciaran McMenamin, McMenamin Ciaran
• Publisher: Vintage UK
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback
• Released: 17.02.2022
• EAN: 9781529112221
• ISBN: 978-1-5291-1222-1
• No. of pages: 272
• Dimensions: 129 mm x 198 mm x 18 mm
• Subjects: Fiction > Narrative literature; FICTION / War & Military, Historical fiction, FICTION / Cultural Heritage, FICTION / Historical / World War I, Northern Ireland, War & combat fiction, First World War fiction, Narrative theme: Love and relationships, War, combat and military adventure fiction, 1922–1923 (Irish Civil War period)