Book Review: "Brendan Malone" by Marina Julia Neary

Title: Brendan Malone: The Last Fenian

Author: Marina Julia Neary

Publisher: All Things That Matter Press

ISBN, PUB Date: 978-0984629749, January 15, 2011

Reviewed by: Evangeline Han for Author Exposure

Brendan Malone is a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). His dream is to see Ireland free of British rule. And needless to say, he hates the British with all his heart and soul. Brendan sends his two sons to the prestigious University College Dublin and, upon their graduation, expects them to follow in his footsteps to fight against the British. Dylan, the eldest son, only thinks of drinking and women. When his father pushes him to take the Oath of the IRB, he willingly complies. The same cannot be said of his younger brother, Hugh. Hugh excels academically and has a mind of his own. Tired of carving out his life according to his father’s wishes, he does something that will eventually earn him the wrath of his father.

Brendan Malone: The Last Fenian is based on historical events of the Irish fight against the British. Told from the Irish point of view, it is set in the early 1900s. Strangely, the language used by Neary in the story reminds me of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. The way the characters converse with each other and their manner of speech is so alike that of Pride and Prejudice’s characters!

This book does not have a happy ending and there are no hints whatsoever in the synopsis that would prepare a reader for the final tragedy. Neary does not narrate the tragedy in a way that would cause a reader to cry (that is, if you are the type who cries when reading sad stories), but the narration gives a reader the impression that although the whole tragic incident is unfortunate, life’s routine still goes on.

Apart from the phrase “Pull his head into his shoulders”, that I did not quite understand, the book’s prose is good. Scenes in the book change frequently and that might confuse some readers but other than that, it is quite an enjoyable read.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction books. If you are the type of person who remembers historical incidents through stories, this book is for you. While there are not many historical events referred to in the book, readers can glean some knowledge of how the Irish viewed their freedom fight.