Fontenoy (novel)
Encyclopedia
Published in 2005, Fontenoy is the third novel by the Irish novelist Liam Mac Cóil
, and a winner of the Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin award in 2006.
The novel centres on a box of printers' proofs in a Gaelic font found recently by the author in an archive in the French city of Chartres
. The pages contain an account of the Battle of Fontenoy (1745), during the Austrian War of Succession, written by a fictional Irish captain of the Irish Brigade, known as the Wild Geese
. While on one hand, Fontenoy is a fictional account of the French victory told from the perspective of an Irishman serving in the army of King Louis XV of France, on the other hand it is a novel that explores perspectives in general, and in the writing of history in particular.
In his review in The Irish Times
, Alan Titley praised the novel highly, singling out for special mention the author's artistry and clarity of style.
Liam Mac Cóil
-Career:Born in Dublin in 1952, Liam Mac Cóil lives in the Gaeltacht of Ráth Cairn, County Meath. He has written three novels, An Dochtúir Áthas , An Claíomh Solais , and Fontenoy, as well as a writer's journal, Nótaí ón Lár , all published by Leabhar Breac...
, and a winner of the Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin award in 2006.
The novel centres on a box of printers' proofs in a Gaelic font found recently by the author in an archive in the French city of Chartres
Chartres
Chartres is a commune and capital of the Eure-et-Loir department in northern France. It is located southwest of Paris.-Geography:Chartres is built on the left bank of the Eure River, on a hill crowned by its famous cathedral, the spires of which are a landmark in the surrounding country...
. The pages contain an account of the Battle of Fontenoy (1745), during the Austrian War of Succession, written by a fictional Irish captain of the Irish Brigade, known as the Wild Geese
Flight of the Wild Geese
The Flight of the Wild Geese refers to the departure of an Irish Jacobite army under the command of Patrick Sarsfield from Ireland to France, as agreed in the Treaty of Limerick on October 3, 1691, following the end of the Williamite War in Ireland...
. While on one hand, Fontenoy is a fictional account of the French victory told from the perspective of an Irishman serving in the army of King Louis XV of France, on the other hand it is a novel that explores perspectives in general, and in the writing of history in particular.
In his review in The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
, Alan Titley praised the novel highly, singling out for special mention the author's artistry and clarity of style.
External links
- Leabhar Breac website
- http://www.ambafrance.ie/article.php3?id_article=579