On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, Fall From Ireland, Andrew Sherlock’s evocative novel, vividly captures the humor, resilience, and struggles of Liverpool’s Irish community in the 1920s, blending rich historical storytelling with the enduring spirit of two homelands.
Fall From Ireland
Liverpool-born writer and playwright Andrew Sherlock has released Fall From Ireland, a compelling historical novel that breathes new life into the Irish-Liverpool experience. Adapted from his critically acclaimed 1990s stage play Fall From Grace, the novel weaves a vivid tapestry of migration, faith, and survival against the backdrop of 20th-century history, capturing the heart and soul of a community that shaped Liverpool’s identity.
At the center of the story is Mary Dolan, a young Irishwoman who arrives in Liverpool in 1928, carrying the weight of secrets from her past. Alongside her husband, Pat Deasy, Mary navigates the challenges of poverty, anti-Catholic prejudice, and the struggle to build a new life in a foreign city. When circumstances force the couple back to rural Ireland, they confront family tensions and a nation still wrestling with its own turbulent history. Through Mary’s journey, Sherlock explores the complexities of identity, belonging, and the enduring pull of two homelands.
Fall From Ireland masterfully blends personal struggles with broader political and social currents, offering an unflinching yet unsentimental look at the Irish diaspora’s impact on Liverpool. The novel celebrates the humor, resilience, and fighting spirit of a community that built the city’s docks, enriched its music and culture, and persevered through displacement and hardship. Sherlock, drawing from his own Irish Catholic and Liverpool Protestant heritage, infuses the story with authenticity and warmth, creating characters that resonate with readers.
The novel’s lyrical prose, rooted in Irish storytelling traditions, merges seamlessly with the gritty energy of Liverpool’s working-class life, creating an immersive and evocative read. Building on the legacy of Fall From Grace, which was praised by The Guardian for recognizing “the personal is also the political” and by The Sunday Express for its exploration of faith, war, and economic hardship, Fall From Ireland expands the narrative for a new generation. The novel tackles themes of emigration, religious conflict, and family resilience, set against the economic depression and sectarian tensions of the era.
Fall From Ireland is a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction, the Irish diaspora, or the vibrant cultural history of Liverpool. It is a heartfelt tribute to a community that has left an indelible mark on the city, told through a story of hardship, humor, and enduring strength.
Andrew Sherlock
Liverpool and Ireland are bound by more than history. The Irish gave Liverpool its soul – its sharp humour, its fighting spirit, and its deep sense of community. Fall From Ireland is my tribute to those stories, to the voices of the past, and to the city itself.
–Andrew Sherlock
Andrew Sherlock, a celebrated playwright and author, draws on family stories, historical research, and firsthand accounts of the Irish diaspora to craft a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. His unique perspective, shaped by his dual heritage, brings authenticity and nuance to this powerful story of survival and identity.
Find more from Andrew Sherlock now:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3YT92mT
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3Fm1Zwh
Hardcover: https://amzn.to/44NyGNx
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