Havoc, in its Third Year by Ronan Bennett

Havoc, in its Third Year by Ronan Bennett

England in the 1630s: turbulent times, with fears of foreign invasion and Catholic conspiracies rife. John Brigge, a farmer and coroner, is respected in his North Country community, but harbours a dangerous secret: he is also a Catholic. When he is called to adjudicate on the murder of a new-born child, Brigge finds himself drawn into matters he would rather avoid. Katherine Shay, an Irishwoman, is accused of killing her baby, and the town's powerful Puritan faction demands her immediate death. Brigge suspects their haste has little to do with a quest for justice. What are they hiding? And does he really want to know?

'As uncompromising as a biblical text, Bennett's drama captures life in the raw -- both in the dock and the chamberA modern parable in historic guise' Independent, 24/6/05 -- Independent 20050624 'This is a gripping novel, its narrative staggered with betrayal and intrigue and suffused with the hot threat of violence. Bennett's prose is economical, powerful, and often poetic' -- The Times 20040911 'Bennett's evocation of a corner of England on the edge of apocalypse is wonderfully done! the novel's language is flowing yet exact, marked with a wonderful strangeness' -- Kathryn Hughes, Guardian 20040904 'An accomplished and ambitious work of fiction! HAVOC is Bennett's best novel to date, and deserves a significant place in the modern canon' -- Observer 18991230 'Superb! already long-listed for the Booker, HAVOC, IN ITS THIRD YEAR has the pedigree of a novel that can, and should, go further. It is a thrillingly satisfying piece of work' -- Sunday Telegraph 20040912 'Both an atmospheric thriller and a consternating study of the horrors of fundamentalism! grim, compelling and ultimately bracing reading' -- Irish Independent 20040912 'Searingly powerful! a fable and parable for all times -- and ours in particular! sublimely written' -- Stevie Davies, Independent 20040903 'Bennett is a gifted writer with relentless fascination for misery' Independent on Sunday, 12/6/05 -- Independent on Sunday 20050612 'Ronan Bennett's most accomplished and compelling novel to date' Observer, 16/6/05 -- Observer 20050616 'This powerful historical novel resounds with contemporary significance' Telegraph, 11/6/05 -- Telegraph, 20050611 'Powerful, atmospheric...particularly strong on evoking physical intimacy' Guardian, 16/6/05 -- Guardian 20050616 'Bennett's compelling story of an honourable man forced to choose between personal and public duty works both as historical fiction and as a subtle, oblique parable for our own times' The Sunday Times, 24/7/05 -- The Sunday Times 20050724

Ronan Bennett grew up in Belfast, and has a Ph.D. in history from King's College, London. He is the author of The Second Prison (shortlisted for the Irish Times/Aer Lingus prize), Overthrown By Strangers and The Catastrophist (shortlisted for the Whitbread Novel Award).

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780747260349
ISBN 10	0747260346
Title	Havoc, in its Third Year
Author	Ronan Bennett
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Headline Publishing Group
Year published	2005-06-06
Number of pages	320
Prizes	Short-listed for IMPAC Dublin Literary Award 2006
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable