Remembrance Sunday

Remembrance Sunday is a powerful and nuanced novel that explores the aftermath of the Enniskellen bombing and the complexity of trauma. It is written by award-winning author Frank McCourt and is based on his own experiences growing up in Ireland during the Troubles. The book follows the lives of two boys, Michael and Simon, who grow up in a small village on the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Michael is a Catholic, while Simon is a Protestant, and the two boys become friends despite their differences.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 18 May 2023
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

A profound and contemplative work of art that delves into the intricacies of trauma in the aftermath of the Enniskellen bombing, Remembrance Sunday by Paul McKeon is a literary masterpiece. McKeon's writing is characterized by its sensitivity, elusiveness, and philosophical depth, as it relentlessly pursues an elusive truth at the heart of the Troubles.

The imaginative storytelling and exquisite prose of Remembrance Sunday elevate McKeon to the realm of accomplished writers. The Irish Times praises his exceptional talent, stating that his work "puts McKeon in the big leagues." The Sunday Times further acclaims him as a supreme storyteller, while the Irish Independent describes him as a poignant and delicately composed novelist who does not shy away from depicting the wreckage of violence. The Daily Mail praises Remembrance Sunday as beautifully written, and the Sunday Independent commends it as a poignant and delicately composed novel that does not stint on the devastation caused by violence.

Set in Chinatown, New York, Remembrance Sunday follows the journey of Simon Hanlon, an Irish architect, as he grapples with the onset of seizures after a chance encounter with an old friend, Simon. As he awaits a brain operation, Simon reflects on his childhood on a farm near the Irish border. At fifteen, he witnessed the devastating impact of an IRA bomb explosion at the Remembrance Sunday parade in Enniskillen, which marked the beginning of his seizures.

Driven by a desire to confront the remnants of his past and understand the reasons behind acts of harm, Simon embarks on a quest to find the bomber who caused him so much pain. Through his introspection and conversations with those close to him, he delves into the complex web of emotions, ideologies, and historical circumstances that shaped the Troubles. Remembrance Sunday is a timely and poignant evocation of the havoc wreaked by the Troubles, not just on the streets but on the souls of those affected.

McKeon's writing seamlessly weaves together the forensic and the lyrical, the meditative and the dramatic, the personal and the political. He animates a stoic protagonist, Simon, with a depth of emotion and introspection that allows readers to empathize with his struggles and understand the complexities of the Troubles. The novel's themes of love, empathy, and the enduring impact of history are explored with finesse and depth, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

In conclusion, Remembrance Sunday by Paul McKeon is a remarkable work of art that explores the complexity of trauma in the wake of the Enniskellen bombing. McKeon's writing is characterized by its sensitivity, elusiveness, and philosophical depth, as it relentlessly pursues an elusive truth at the heart of the Troubles. Through his imaginative storytelling and exquisite prose, Remembrance Sunday elevates McKeon to the realm of accomplished writers and leaves a lasting impact on the reader.

Weight: 400g
Dimension: 144 x 223 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780241999158