The Promise of Light: A Novel

by Paul Watkins

It is 1921, and young Ben Sheridan's Irish-American father mysteriously dies in their small Rhode Island town. Determined to learn the truth about his family's cloudy past, he sets sail for Ireland, and quickly becomes involved in a struggle between soldiers of the newly formed Irish Republican Army and the brutal British troops. Amidst the lush and rugged Irish countryside, and the horrible violence unfolding across it, Ben must search for the truth of his identity, and the ties of his family's blood.

Genres: Fiction, Literature, Ireland, Historical, Historical Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 7, 1992

About the author

Paul Watkins is an American author who currently lives with his wife and two children in Hightstown, New Jersey. He is a teacher and writer-in-residence at The Peddie School, and formerly taught at Lawrenceville School. He attended the Dragon School, Oxford, Eton and Yale University. He received a B.A. from Yale and was a University Fellow at Syracuse University, New York. His recollections of his time at the Dragon School and Eton form his autobiographical work Stand Before Your God: An American Schoolboy in England.

Writes crime fiction set at the birth of Stalin's Russia under Sam Eastland.

Reviews

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

grew up next door to the author and his family, listening to his stories, and am now reminded of how captivating and dire they felt. to do that in writing !!! i read somewhere that cormac mccarthy didnt understand or care for stories where life and death weren’t at stake and as much as i love my novels of manners, i’m inclined to agree.

[Lu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read quite of few books about the troubles in Ireland and even visited the Emerald Isle six years ago. So, I looked forward to this book. The book held my interest for about 3/4 of the plot. However, the main character’s “daring do” and ability to absorb physical punishment became unbelievable to me. This super hero actions almost reduces the character to a video game avatar. Too bad because this macho man attitude almost became laughable and I started picking at the plot. I had had the same problem with the book “Cold Mountain” with the bear attack plot point. Unbelievable.

If you like graphic novels and if you might like this book.

[Lysergius · Rating 3 out of 5]

The year is 1921. Ben Sheridan, a young American, sets out for Ireland to track down his true family, and walks straight into the savagery of the Black-and-Tan war. The Promise of Light is an unforgettable novel of action, a remarkable study of youth, and a work of immense literary distinction by one of Britian's finest young writers.

[Valentina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and pensive at the same time. I've loved and followed Paul Watkins (aka Sam Eastland) ever since.

[Grace]

entering some books from pre Goodreads tracking.
This one had a review on the old blog.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Watkins' style, reminding me somewhat of Hemingway. His prose seems very laid-back, almost lethargic, yet his action sequences of fighting in the war take your breath away.

I love the set up...the father dying because what would seem to be a straightforward blood transfusion fails because Ben is not the real son -- something he never knew.

Becoming involved in the IRA through deception and circumstance works well, but I do feel that Watkins missed out on giving us (and Ben) the information we were looking for about his American father. The meeting between Ben and his real father happens after the book ends, and that works, but without the information that we were off to learn, I feel cheated.

To be fair, information does come about, but it seems (even to Ben, I think) romanticized fondness or jealous anger and I never felt that the truth was anywhere in there.

I like Paul Watkins and will seek out more of his work, but this is not one I'd recommend to a new-comer.

[Bill Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful book and a very good read. Tight, descriptive prose, intriguing characters and a well-constructed plot made this a memorable journey. An Irish American gets sucked into his father’s past in Ireland and finds himself a wanted man, involved in the struggle of the IRA. Secrets are learned that I won’t divulge here. A bit of violence, which was part of presenting the reality of the world Watkins is wanting the reader to experience.

A trip to Ireland, a stroll through history and across cultures, family secrets, love, war and self discovery.

Read this book!

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read and enjoyed this book - I can't say I loved it, but considering how quick I would be to jump on anyone misusing the history or times when this story is set, it clearly has a lot going for it. In fact I think rather highly of the way he has handled the immense complexities of life in Ireland at that time. I would rather like to reread this novel as well as read for the first time a number of Mr. Watkins other novels.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Rhode Island USA and the west of Ireland a young mn tries to find himself and his true identity and family and unravel family mysteries. He gets caught up in the war in Irelnd and has to choose sides -- the IRA or the Black and Tans.

It is well written and the mny details about Ireland and the war and treatment of the Irish.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Watkins is the best! A young man travels to Ireland when he learns his family came from there. He gets involved with the IRA fighting the British troops. Great characters and juxtoposition of his "safe life" in the US vs. the madness and killing in Ireland.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another impressive work by Watkins, but not quite flawless. As in "The Blue Light of African Dreams," the characters lean towards the shallow side and the plot at times reads like a screen play, particularly in male-female interactions. Still, overall, a good adventure yarn.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't remember a thing about reading this (ten years ago) ... and it seems like the type of book I would remember. Strange

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this Paul Watkins novel. Good writing and storytelling. Wish a larger reading audience would find Watkins novels.