Havoc In Its Third Year

It is always a pleasure to read another Ronan Bennett novel. Similar to Colum McCann and Colm Tóibín he is an Irish writer who never seems afraid of adopting a totally different setting and writing style. In this novel from 2004 he does something very interesting indeed, he sets a parable for all times in 1630's England at a time when the country is descending into chaos. Enemies are all about, suspicion abounds and nobody is safe from persecution. The central character Brigge is an endearing and engaging character who is born of the wrong faith in the wrong time.

The novel is written in an affected, archaic language which is very readable but filled with quaint words and long disused idioms. The language he adopts adds wonderfully to the historical setting of the novel. Parts of the novel reminded me of John McGahern's last work where episodes of magic realism are injected into the story.

Overall I was very pleased to read such a different type of novel. I already have his next book, "Zugzwang", waiting on my bookshelf to be read but perhaps I shall wait awhile before succumbing to the sweet joy of reading another Ronan Bennett novel.