Unspoken (edit title/settings)

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• Ann Strong: Ann is a mother of five young children and Fonsie's wife. She struggles to meet the day-to-day needs of her young family in 60's Limerick. She is the anchor around which the family move and an everywoman of that era and place.
• Fonsie Strong: Fonsie is Ann's unassuming husband. His calm nature balances his wife's anxious nature. He works long, difficult hours delivering coal around Limerick city and county, he brings warmth into peoples lives.
• Ritchie Strong: The eldest of the Strong brood, Ritchie is diligent and hardworking.
• Gussie Strong: The second child, Gussie has a head full of ideas and plans.
• Marian Strong: Marian is the only daughter of the house; she is the first to benefit from the introduction of free secondary school education.
• Martin Strong: Martin is something of a scallywag; although he is never far from trouble, he shows his softer side too when events overtake his bravado.
• Francis Strong: Francis is the child-protagonist of this book. It starts on the day of his birth and traces the first decade of his life. An inquisitive, intelligent, funny little man - I hope Francis is the subject of any follow-on novels.
• Mary Storan: A neighbour of the Storans, Mary is with them through thick and thin.
• Eamonn DeValera: One of many real-life characters immersed into the novel, Eamonn DeValera is one of the founding fathers of the nation. As with most young, violently-formed nations the founding fathers face both adoration and bitter hatred. The novel is set in an era of change for Ireland, and Dev represents the old.
• Brendan Barry: We first encounter Brendan in the waiting room of the maternity hospital (with Fonsie & three other expectant fathers). He is younger than the other fathers and his marriage is six-months old. In an era before homosexuality was accepted in the mainstream, Brendan struggles to see how this new life will fit into his true feelings.
• Elizabeth Flanagan: The young wife of Brendan Barry, Elizabeth comes from a very well off family. She finds herself in a relationship with a man that she doesnt really know and is terrified of learning his secrets. Her life becomes devoted to their son, Ian.
• Gavin Bloom: Gavin is a pioneer in Irish television. He is part of RTE as it sets up and gradually rises in the media company's ranks. His flamboyant nature and open personality are tested when he meets Brendan, the closeted man he loves.
• Cormac Kiely: nother of the expectant fathers, Cormac is an architect by profession and a member of a choral group for fun. In an era when the Latin mass has been replaced by English and the priests have turned to face their congregations, he is called upon to redesign the parish church.
• George Callopy: A devoutly religious man, this expectant father has a real yearning for a son.
• Michael Liston: The last of the expectant fathers, Michael Liston is deeply aggravated. Another child is the last thing he wants. That and his wife. What he wants is escape to a job in Dublin. When he wife dies in childbirth, he is landed with raising his son alone. Liston works for Dom, an up-and-coming Limerick politician.
• Dom: A politician of the new order, Dom prides himself with being ready for the new era Ireland is growing into. An era of television. His potential would be limitless if he could only control his drinking. He frequently finds himself in situations that a sober Dom would never dream of. But then there are moments of brilliance too. Based on Donogh O'Malley, this is another character who plays a very real part in the history of Limerick.
• Baz: A cameraman with the newly formed RTE, Baz leaves the security of the national broadcaster to persue the woman and a job he loves.

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• Books › Literature & Fiction › Genre Fiction › Historical