53 pages • 1 hour read
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
259
Novel • Fiction
United States • 1850s
2016
Adult
18+ years
Days Without End by Sebastian Barry follows the story of Thomas McNulty, an Irish immigrant, and his companion John Cole as they navigate love, identity, and survival while serving in the American Indian Wars and the Civil War. The novel explores themes of camaraderie, gender identity, and the harsh realities of 19th-century America.
Melancholic
Gritty
Mysterious
Bittersweet
Emotional
35,740 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Sebastian Barry's Days Without End has garnered widespread praise for its evocative prose and deep emotional resonance. Critics applaud its vividly rendered historical settings and complex characters. However, some find its violence and bleakness challenging. Overall, Barry's storytelling and lyrical writing elevate the narrative, offering a poignant, albeit intense, experience.
Readers who enjoy deeply emotional historical fiction with rich, lyrical prose will be captivated by Days Without End by Sebastian Barry. Fans of novels like Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry and The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien will appreciate the vivid storytelling and exploration of complex human experiences against a backdrop of war and survival.
35,740 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
John Cole
Thomas’s love interest and steadfast companion, who is involved in the narrative primarily through his relationship with Thomas and their family life. He has some Native American heritage but experiences limited racial discrimination, likely due to being white-passing.
Major Neale
Thomas’s and John’s commanding officer, initially committed to justice and opposing excessive violence against Native Americans, but experiences moral conflict after personal tragedy.
Winona Cole
The adopted daughter of Thomas and John, originally from the Oglala Sioux community, known for her intelligence and kindness as perceived by her adoptive parents.
259
Novel • Fiction
United States • 1850s
2016
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.