Red Sky in Morning: A Novel
It's 1832 and Coll Coyle has killed the wrong man. The dead man's father is an expert tracker and ruthless killer with a single-minded focus on vengeance. The hunt leads from the windswept bogs of County Donegal, across the Atlantic to the choleric work camps of the Pennsylvania railroad, where both men will find their fates in the hardship and rough country of the fledgling United States.
Language and landscape combine powerfully in this tense exploration of life and death, parts of which are based on historical events. With lyrical prose balancing the stark realities of the hunter and the hunted, Red Sky in Morning is a visceral and meditative novel that marks the debut of a stunning new talent.
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Community Reviews
Coll kills a man and goes on the run, leaving behind his pregnant wife and family. This story primarily follows his escape and time on the lam.
Occasionally I got confused over who the narrator was, as it kept changing perspectives. It would just say “she”, and I’d have to try and figure out who “she” was.
The writing was so stilted that it read like one of those movie scenes of chaotic imagery, flashing from one scene to another with very little dialogue.
This book reminded me of “The Wake of Forgiveness” by Bruce Machart, I recognize that this novel is well-crafted, but I found myself a bit bored at times. As stated earlier, it is primarily a narrative novel, and I enjoy dialogue.
My final word: There is a fair bit of vulgarity, but it stays true to the Irish culture and characters. I didn't really like Coll. There were few times that I really viewed him as a vulnerable and likable man, but most of the time he was just a selfish coward. Overall I liked this story, but it was a little slow for me.
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