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ashes In The Wind
Two boys are growing up in County Kerry, Irish Tomas Sullivan and Anglo-Irish John Burke, close friends from different tribes. This is Ireland in 1919, and their friendship will be torn apart in the War of Independence and in the Civil War that follows. The entwined fates of the Burkes and the Sullivans are played out over three generations, in Kerry, Spain, Northumberland, Mount Athos and finally back in Kerry, where the two families meet again. Subtle, gripping, beautifully written, ashes In The Wind is rooted in the history of Christopher Bland's own Anglo-Irish family, and brings to vivid life the people and places of 20th-century Ireland in a story of love, violence and redemption.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 11, 2014
10 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Bland
7Ìýbooks6ÌýfollowersChristopher Bland was a former Chairman of the BBC, BT and the Royal Shakespeare Company. He was Anglo-Irish and married with a son and four stepchildren. He lived between London and Wiltshire.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 29, 2017
It reads like a fantastical autobiography. Nobody could live one life that interesting, but here we have generations of two families living lives filled with dashing adventure and surprise reversals in fortune. The most central character, James Burke, born a landed noble, loses everything and lives the life of a champion racehorse trainer, before dying a monk on Mount Athos in Greece. Incredible, and yet it's all so carefully detailed it's hard to believe it's not real.
It's a wonderful read, gripping at times, but it assumes knowledge of relatively obscure matters, such as the Troubles and horse breeding. It's an epic book, rich in detail, that will leave you wiser and more knowledgeable in so many ways, but sometimes the greater context is lacking.
It's a wonderful read, gripping at times, but it assumes knowledge of relatively obscure matters, such as the Troubles and horse breeding. It's an epic book, rich in detail, that will leave you wiser and more knowledgeable in so many ways, but sometimes the greater context is lacking.
August 5, 2014
When I started reading this I wasn't expecting a great deal from it in all honesty: the first few chapters seemed to be largely a potted history of the troubles in Ireland during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with the author seeming to assume that we are able to keep up with the names and places he rushes us through, being as familiar with the background details as he is after however many months of detailed research. Combined with the rapidly appearing and expanding cast of characters in these opening chapters, I couldn't help but feel slightly confused and unable to find my feet.
Once we get past this rush however, and the two central protagonists find their place in the real plot of the novel, then the story really takes off. To play on the novel's title, all this political and military history acts as kindling for the plot, somewhat hastily piled up, eventually going up in flames along with Derriquin Castle, and it is from this smouldering heap that the story drifts away across the years. Emanating a peaty smell of turf and horses, blood and gunpowder, we follow John Burke down his path into the lively world of horse breeding and racing, and Tomas Sullivan along his troubled road from one side of the law to the other, and back again.
The story is one of endless setbacks and personal destructions, and the countless ways and new directions in which life can be diverted, for better or worse. This is nowhere better demonstrated than in the final part (my favourite bit of the book), with one of the characters literally veering off his destined track and attempting to build a new life for himself. Although this does not turn out in quite the way he planned, from this impulsive act yet more paths are revealed which ultimately lead him back to Kerry where it all began. Despite such artistic devices and deus ex machinas as these, as well as the relentless family tragedies and heartbreaks, there remains a refreshing realism about romance and relationships, and the inherent complications that can arise.
Although we are taken all over the world, from Civil War-era Spain to Liverpool, and even to a monastery on a remote Greek island, the heart of the story, as well as many of its characters, is in Ireland. The author's love and feeling for his ancestral country come through in the vivid descriptions, as well as in the vibrant and fully-realised characters that populate his version of the town. Despite my initial (and only brief) misgivings, this is a wonderful and evocative book, teeming with life amongst the ruins of family history, and I was sorry to have reached the end...
Once we get past this rush however, and the two central protagonists find their place in the real plot of the novel, then the story really takes off. To play on the novel's title, all this political and military history acts as kindling for the plot, somewhat hastily piled up, eventually going up in flames along with Derriquin Castle, and it is from this smouldering heap that the story drifts away across the years. Emanating a peaty smell of turf and horses, blood and gunpowder, we follow John Burke down his path into the lively world of horse breeding and racing, and Tomas Sullivan along his troubled road from one side of the law to the other, and back again.
The story is one of endless setbacks and personal destructions, and the countless ways and new directions in which life can be diverted, for better or worse. This is nowhere better demonstrated than in the final part (my favourite bit of the book), with one of the characters literally veering off his destined track and attempting to build a new life for himself. Although this does not turn out in quite the way he planned, from this impulsive act yet more paths are revealed which ultimately lead him back to Kerry where it all began. Despite such artistic devices and deus ex machinas as these, as well as the relentless family tragedies and heartbreaks, there remains a refreshing realism about romance and relationships, and the inherent complications that can arise.
Although we are taken all over the world, from Civil War-era Spain to Liverpool, and even to a monastery on a remote Greek island, the heart of the story, as well as many of its characters, is in Ireland. The author's love and feeling for his ancestral country come through in the vivid descriptions, as well as in the vibrant and fully-realised characters that populate his version of the town. Despite my initial (and only brief) misgivings, this is a wonderful and evocative book, teeming with life amongst the ruins of family history, and I was sorry to have reached the end...
June 19, 2022
Ashes in the Wind begins with two boyhood friends from different backgrounds - one Irish, one Anglo-Irish - in County Kerry. Drifting apart as they grow up, the War of Independence and ensuing Civil War sound the death knell of their friendship as they find themselves on opposing sides. Across the continent and across generations, this novel follows their families' paths through the better part of the 20th century until they cross again, right back where the story began.
Much as I like epic generation-spanning tales, I had difficulties staying engaged with this one over 400+ pages. The uneven pacing and big jumps in time without offering much room for character development played a role in this, as did the fact that I couldn't quite warm up to any of the protagonists. The strongest part of the book for me were the Irish settings, vibrantly brought to life, and being immersed in the history of the region in the earlier part of the 20th century.
Much as I like epic generation-spanning tales, I had difficulties staying engaged with this one over 400+ pages. The uneven pacing and big jumps in time without offering much room for character development played a role in this, as did the fact that I couldn't quite warm up to any of the protagonists. The strongest part of the book for me were the Irish settings, vibrantly brought to life, and being immersed in the history of the region in the earlier part of the 20th century.
March 25, 2018
Ireland from the point of view of the Anglo-Irish. But completely fair to the 'other' side.
Felt as if the latter part of the book was written first and the earlier story added to put it in context. A lot about horse racing!
Felt as if the latter part of the book was written first and the earlier story added to put it in context. A lot about horse racing!
June 11, 2018
Christopher Bland portrays a capable skill in providing the reader with an understanding of the early years of the Anglo-Irish way of life. The story flows nicely but with little impact. A nice story with some detail, but rather slow in my opinion coming to no real end at all.
June 1, 2023
A very interesting book but I did find it a bit slow. I also felt that when we came to the modern day it felt a bit like a completely different book to the first part. I did enjoy it though!
February 25, 2017
To be honest I struggled with this book and truthfully only enjoyed the last third. I enjoyed finding out more about the struggle for independence in Ireland but I feel the book left much to the readers own devices to find out more outside of the novel. Could have included expansion on various themes and a little less detail on the characters themselves. Most of the novel is written in the present tense which I struggle with, I found it didn't help the flow of the story line.
November 24, 2014
'Ashes in the Wind' is an intriguing mix of the fictional and the historical. Derriquin Castle in County Kerry, ruined by fire in 1922, in this book becomes the Burke family seat, but was actually built by one of Christopher Bland's forebears. The main characters are drawn from two families, the Catholic Sullivans and the Protestant Burkes, who find themselves on opposing sides in the Irish War of Independence. The action advances across three generations of battling and begetting, onward to more modern times when the banks become the new enemy, their dangerously risky lending in the property market resulting in the demise of the Celtic Tiger.
Christopher Bland writes with authority and skill, the breadth of his grasp and insight into the history of twentieth century Ireland evident on every page. This is more than a war novel interspersed with (usually) illicit sex. The language the author uses, at times, spare, is suitably leavened by occasional passages of lyric poetry which shed light on the inner life of his main protagonists. He makes good use of the historic present in much of the narrative, giving an immediacy to events as they unfold.
An underlying theme in the book is one of displacement. As an Anglo-Irishman, James Burke, like his father John, feels that he 'never quite fitted ', either in Ireland or England.
In his poem, 'Remorse For Intemperate Speech', Yeats sees the native Irishman's sense of injustice as bred in the bone: 'Out of Ireland have we come. Great hatred, little room, maimed us at the start. I carry from my mother's womb a fanatic heart.'
Despite being of Anglo-Irish descent, Christopher Bland is very even-handed in his treatment of Ireland's 'Troubles' and is to be congratulated for this.
Christopher Bland writes with authority and skill, the breadth of his grasp and insight into the history of twentieth century Ireland evident on every page. This is more than a war novel interspersed with (usually) illicit sex. The language the author uses, at times, spare, is suitably leavened by occasional passages of lyric poetry which shed light on the inner life of his main protagonists. He makes good use of the historic present in much of the narrative, giving an immediacy to events as they unfold.
An underlying theme in the book is one of displacement. As an Anglo-Irishman, James Burke, like his father John, feels that he 'never quite fitted ', either in Ireland or England.
In his poem, 'Remorse For Intemperate Speech', Yeats sees the native Irishman's sense of injustice as bred in the bone: 'Out of Ireland have we come. Great hatred, little room, maimed us at the start. I carry from my mother's womb a fanatic heart.'
Despite being of Anglo-Irish descent, Christopher Bland is very even-handed in his treatment of Ireland's 'Troubles' and is to be congratulated for this.
November 24, 2014
'Ashes in the Wind' is an intriguing mix of the fictional and the historical. Derriquin Castle in County Kerry, ruined by fire in 1922, in this book becomes the Burke family seat, but was actually built by one of Christopher Bland's forebears. The main characters are drawn from two families, the Catholic Sullivans and the Protestant Burkes, who find themselves on opposing sides in the Irish War of Independence. The action advances across three generations of battling and begetting, onward to more modern times when the banks become the new enemy, their dangerously risky lending in the property market resulting in the demise of the Celtic Tiger.
Christopher Bland writes with authority and skill, the breadth of his grasp and insight into the history of twentieth century Ireland evident on every page. This is more than a war novel interspersed with (usually) illicit sex. The language the author uses, at times, spare, is suitably leavened by occasional passages of lyric poetry which shed light on the inner life of his main protagonists. He makes good use of the historic present in much of the narrative, giving an immediacy to events as they unfold.
An underlying theme in the book is one of displacement. As an Anglo-Irishman, James Burke, like his father John, feels that he 'never quite fitted ', either in Ireland or England.
In his poem, 'Remorse For Intemperate Speech', Yeats sees the native Irishman's sense of injustice as bred in the bone: 'Out of Ireland have we come. Great hatred, little room, maimed us at the start. I carry from my mother's womb a fanatic heart.'
Despite being of Anglo-Irish descent, Christopher Bland is very even-handed in his treatment of Ireland's 'Troubles' and is to be congratulated for this.
Christopher Bland writes with authority and skill, the breadth of his grasp and insight into the history of twentieth century Ireland evident on every page. This is more than a war novel interspersed with (usually) illicit sex. The language the author uses, at times, spare, is suitably leavened by occasional passages of lyric poetry which shed light on the inner life of his main protagonists. He makes good use of the historic present in much of the narrative, giving an immediacy to events as they unfold.
An underlying theme in the book is one of displacement. As an Anglo-Irishman, James Burke, like his father John, feels that he 'never quite fitted ', either in Ireland or England.
In his poem, 'Remorse For Intemperate Speech', Yeats sees the native Irishman's sense of injustice as bred in the bone: 'Out of Ireland have we come. Great hatred, little room, maimed us at the start. I carry from my mother's womb a fanatic heart.'
Despite being of Anglo-Irish descent, Christopher Bland is very even-handed in his treatment of Ireland's 'Troubles' and is to be congratulated for this.
December 15, 2016
A beautiful book about Ireland. 9 out of 10.
April 23, 2015
Loved this book, but for me the first half was much more interesting/gripping than the second. Also the author seems to have a problem with his main characters having positive relationships with women beyond their mothers. Or perhaps I should say that the author creates characters who just can't pick the uncomplicated type!
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June 23, 2015A brilliant study of the fate of two families in the context of the tumultuous events of the early twentieth century in Ireland - and elsewhere. Rather stronger on the Anglo-Irish side than the indigenous Irish, but that's Bland's background. Touching and personal, but also very well researched.
September 18, 2015
To big a period covered without really developing the character and story at each stage
June 22, 2015
Interesting view on the Anglo Irish.
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