''The Soldier's Song'' is the debut novel from

Alan Monaghan Alan Monaghan (born May 6, 1970) is an Irish novelist. He has been shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards and has won the 2002 Hennessy New Irish Writer Award. Life and works Monaghan was born in Dublin where he served his apprenticeship as a boi ...

and the first in the Soldier's Song Trilogy. Set during World War I, the novel follows the fortunes of Stephen Ryan, a gifted young maths scholar, as he enlists in the British army and leaves his native Ireland to fight in Europe. He finds his loyalties tested, however, when he returns from the front in 1916 to find Ireland in the midst of an uprising. The harsh realities of war combined with the strain of having to reflect on his own identity and allegiances take their toll as Stephen is pushed ever closer to his breaking point.

Reception

The novel was positively received upon its release and gained, for its author, a nomination at the 2010

Irish Book Awards The Irish Book Awards are Irish literary awards given annually to books and authors in various categories. In 2018 An Post took over sponsorship of the awards from Bord Gais Energy. It is the only literary award supported by all-Irish bookstores. ...

for best newcomer.Irish Publishing News: The Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards Shortlist Announced
/ref> It has also been longlisted for the 2010/2011

Waverton Good Read Award The Waverton Good Read Award was founded in 2003 by villagers in Waverton, Chester, England, and is based on ''Le Prix de la Cadière d'Azur'', a literary prize awarded by a Provençal village. Adult debut novels written by UK residents and pu ...

.Waverton Good Read Award: 2010-2011 Longlist
/ref>

References

External links

Pan Macmillan: ''The Soldier's Song''The Marsh Agency: ''The Soldier's Song''Interview with author''The Guardian'' review
2010 Irish novels Novels set during World War I Easter Rising History of Ireland (1801–1923) Novels set during the Irish War of Independence 2010 debut novels {{2010s-WWI-novel-stub