Tipperary

A Novel of Ireland

By: Frank Delaney

Narrated by: Frank Delaney

Length: 16 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

“My wooing began in passion, was defined by violence and circumscribed by land; all these elements molded my soul.” So writes Charles O’Brien, the unforgettable hero of best-selling author Frank Delaney’s extraordinary novel - a sweeping epic of obsession, profound devotion, and compelling history involving a turbulent era that would shape modern Ireland.

Born into a respected Irish-Anglo family in 1860, Charles loves his native land and its long-suffering but irrepressible people. As a healer, he travels the countryside dispensing traditional cures while soaking up stories and legends of bygone times - and witnessing the painful, often violent birth of land-reform measures destined to lead to Irish independence. At the age of 40, summoned to Paris to treat his dying countryman - the infamous Oscar Wilde - Charles experiences the fateful moment of his life. In a chance encounter with a beautiful and determined young Englishwoman, 18-year-old April Burke, he is instantly and passionately smitten - but callously rejected. Vowing to improve himself, Charles returns to Ireland, where he undertakes the preservation of the great and abandoned estate of Tipperary, in whose shadow he has lived his whole life - and which, he discovers, may belong to April and her father.

As Charles pursues his obsession, he writes the "History" of his own life and country. While doing so, he meets the great figures of the day, including Charles Parnell, William Butler Yeats, and George Bernard Shaw. And he also falls victim to less well-known characters - who prove far more dangerous. Tipperary also features a second "historian": a present-day commentator, a retired and obscure history teacher who suddenly discovers that he has much at stake in the telling of Charles’ story.

In this gloriously absorbing and utterly satisfying novel, a man's passion for the woman he loves is twinned with his country's emergence as a nation. With storytelling as sweeping and dramatic as the land itself, myth, fact, and fiction are all woven together with the power of the great 19th-century novelists. Tipperary once again proves Frank Delaney's unrivaled mastery at bringing Irish history to life.

Praise for Tipperary

“The narrative moves swiftly and surely.... A sort of Irish Gone with the Wind, marked by sly humor, historical awareness, and plenty of staying power.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Another meticulously researched journey...Delaney’s careful scholarship and compelling storytelling bring it uniquely alive. Highly recommended.” (Library Journal, starred)

©2007 Frank Delaney (P)2007 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Delaney's confident storytelling and quirky characterizations enrich a fascinating and complex period of Irish history." ( Publishers Weekly)

We enjoyed Tipperary!

My wife and I listen to a lot of audio books in the car as we travel. This was another fantastic story that lead us through "Ireland". With enjoyable characters and a plot that thickens as Ireland changes. We think you should hear this book and also the authors other book Ireland which is also wonderful!

A Very Enjoyable Listen

Ditto to what Kathy wrote about this book. This is one of those great audio books that some of spend so much time looking for. I will surely listen to it again.

Disappointed

I loved "Ireland" by this author. "Tipperary" was a rambling mish-mash of storylines intertwined and repetitive. The author might have given the task of reading to an actor more capable of presenting an inspiring rendition. As it was, the overall impression was one of boredom. I'm hoping that the author will redeem himself in "Shannon". "Tipperary" would have encouraged me to pass it by, had I not already purchased it!

brilliantly read by author

the reading by the author makes this a truly enjoyable listening experience! He ought to have done voice acting, as well as write!

Emerald Magic!

Such a gifted Irish author and a thoroughly enjoyable book. As I embark on a trip to Tipperary, I couldn’t of had better inspiration. This is truly wind upon my sails.

simply wonderful!

Some many stories within a story. A master story teller! A must read! Especially if are of Irish descent.

Could not put the book down

What did you love best about Tipperary?

I felt like I was experiencing history as it was happening.

What other book might you compare Tipperary to and why?

Trinity the way both books made me feel like I was living and walking in Ireland and experiencing history as it was happening.

not a good audiobook

this book had several "voices" and although it was a good story, being an audiobook it was difficult to determine whose "voice" was speaking in each chapter.

very insightful

insightful and deep it gives a, broad history while holding your attention to the core of the story.

Learned more about Irish history

Through this interesting, though a bit contrived, story, I learned some things I didn’t know about Irish history.The story was engaging and the characters interesting. There were some plot devices that seemed a bit too far-fetched. Perhaps, in fact, the main character Charles O’Brien was not believable. But overall, I did enjoy the book. The author’s narration was good, but I think a professional reader would have done better. I know Frank Delaney is considered a great eloquent author, but the different characters were sometimes hard to distinguish and the reading could have flowed more smoothly. I can think of several Audible readers who would have gotten 5 stars rather than 4.