Leaving Ardglass

By William King

'One of the best novels to have come out of Ireland in a long time it chronicles not just a personal and spiritual journey but the state of a nation over 40 years. Outstanding.' John Boland, Irish Independent. 'Leaving Ardglass gives us a stunning insight into Church politics, the highs and lows of serving God, and the confusions and contradictions that modern Ireland has foisted on all of us.' Joe Duffy, Mail on Sunday. 'A finely written and brave book that throws up uncomfortable truths and interesting parallels between hidden worlds driven by ambitious men determined to survive.' Dermot Bolger, Sunday Business Post. In 1961, MJ Galvin, an Irish building contractor in London, brings over his kid brother, Tom, to join the family business. Educated, sensitive and naive, and destined for the seminary, Tom witnesses a killing, learns about dead men and the start in Camden Town, experiences drunken brawls and the excitement of dancehall nights in the Galtymore. He faces a decision that will shape his future: will he join his successful brother and make a fortune, or follow an inner voice towards the priesthood? The inner voice prevails, Tom enrolls as a seminarian, goes to Rome, becomes a monsignor and is tipped for a bishopric, only to renounce power and prestige, and be relegated to a quiet country parish disillusioned by the betrayal of principles within his Church as a new century dawns. This powerful family saga evokes the tensions and transformations within a new Ireland as traditional values give way to consumerism and one man's odyssey becomes everyman's.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Lilliput Press
• Release date: Sep 1, 2011
• ISBN: 9781843512288

William King

William King is the creator of the bestselling Gotrek and Felix series for Black Library and the author of the bestselling Space Wolf books, which between them have sold over 750,000 copies in English and been translated into 8 languages. He has been nominated for the David Gemmell Legend Award and has twice won the Origins Awards For Game Design.

Reviews for Leaving Ardglass

[arrwa_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book tells the story of a young man from Ireland who leaves to seek his fortune with his brother's construction company. Instead of becoming an engineer he finds his calling and joins the priesthood. The story tells of his struggle navigating the world of the church, it's politics, and friendships.The book overall was well written but did not excite me, nor was I particularly attached to any of the characters. I found that the story plodded along in a relatively predictable manner and ended with a lack luster finish.