BOOK BRIEF

A Long Long Way

Sebastian Barry
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A Long Long Way

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005

Book Brief

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Sebastian Barry

A Long Long Way

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005
Book Details
Pages

292

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Historical Fiction

Irish Literature
Period
World War I
Setting

Ireland • 1910s

Topic
Military & War

World History
Publication Year

2005

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

A Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry follows Willie Dunne, a young Irishman who enlists in the British Army during World War I. As he experiences the brutality of war, Willie also faces personal and political challenges shaped by the tumultuous relationship between Ireland and Britain, exploring themes of identity, loyalty, and the impact of conflict.

Melancholic

Dark

Emotional

Bittersweet

Mysterious

Reviews & Readership

4.3

10,929 ratings

81%

Loved it

13%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Sebastian Barry's A Long Long Way is celebrated for its lyrical prose and deep emotional resonance, vividly portraying the trauma and human cost of war through its protagonist's journey. Its poignant exploration of identity and loyalty captivates, though some readers find the pacing uneven. The novel offers a hauntingly beautiful yet challenging narrative experience.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Long Long Way?

A reader who enjoys historical fiction centered on WWI, exploring themes of identity and loyalty, would appreciate Sebastian Barry's A Long Long Way. Fans of Pat Barker’s Regeneration trilogy and Michael Ondaatje’s The English Patient might find it particularly engaging due to its lyrical prose and emotional depth.

4.3

10,929 ratings

81%

Loved it

13%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

292

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Historical Fiction

Irish Literature
Period
World War I
Setting

Ireland • 1910s

Topic
Military & War

World History
Publication Year

2005

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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