Trinity (Paperback)

We are presented with 3 families of different backgrounds, the Larkens (Catholics), the Hubbles (protestants) and the Weeds (Presbyterians). All have an agenda of their own, whether it be respect, money or carrying on a lineage; we are shown each side and how they play on each other. Uris paints a vast portrait of the Irish lifestyles both rich and poor. Friends made and friends lost abound.
What confused me before reading this novel were the other reviews, some went on to say that Trinity drew two dimensional characters and lacked depth, and I can say that that is furthest from the truth. These characters, such as the hero Conor, or his the love interest Shelly, or the power hungry Weed family, each has their side of their story told, and told well. We are carried from the characters' childhood till there mid thirties, and I felt as though I knew each one in and out. This is Leon Uris's most accomplished work, though not my favorite, Armageddon still holds that title, this is without a doubt a great, fulfilling and richly detailed novel about a period and piece of the Irish struggle and how a few people deal with it.
We did lose a great story teller, R.I.P Leon uris, you will be sorely missed.

Not only did Uris do an incredible job of helping me understand the basics of 19th century Irish history and events, but both the truth and fiction of the novel connected me to the subject like nothing I've ever experienced. The revelations I had as a result of reading "Trinity" have altered my life permanently. While I always "felt badly" for oppressed cultures, since reading "Trinity" I understand more internally how heartbreaking it can be to live as a member of a subjugated and abused people. Though I have to admit my first instinct upon reaching the last page was to try at all costs to join the IRA (as irrational and impossible as that is), when the tears finally stopped I reluctantly admitted to myself that that was an entirely inappropriate way of directing my anger and adopted pain. Instead, to this day I wish I could go a hundred years back in time and dedicate myself to one of the only causes I know in my soul to have been not only righteous- but not, as Conor feared, hopeless. Since that is impossible, I'm actively looking for a cause that grabs me in a similar way as does the Irish struggle for freedom. Somehow, after reading "Trinity", I'm not as excited as I once was when "Seinfeld" or "Gilligan's Island" comes on TV (not that they don't still make me laugh!)... and that's a good thing. As silly as it sounds, "Trinity" has helped me get a better handle on what are the more important and fulfilling things in life.

If I were the ruler of the world, I would insist that every high school student take a class that picks apart this novel and the concepts it addresses. For anyone who likes to sit and ponder, or yell indignantly, or reach out with their heart, this novel is perfect. Aside from the issue that is Ireland, Uris forces into one's full consciousness the many facets of humanity's ability for evil and good, selfishness and selflessness, and all the other feelings and ideas that make the world what it is.

PS. "Redemption" is the perfect title for "Trinity"s sequel. While in some ways I found it disappointing (there were some incongruities in the complete storyline, and quite a bit of repetition regarding Conor), there are several scenes that made the read very worthwhile. "Trinity" left me overflowing with emotion and a need for "more"; "Redemption" left me content- the circle was completed, and that completion gave me reason to smile. And, if nothing else, the story of Gallipoli is fascinating, horrifying, and an important chapter in the military and colonial history of British Imperialism.