The Devil’s Own: Maria McDonald
Historical fiction can be hit or miss and it’s always great to find a tantalising read that takes you back in time. The Devil’s Own is one of these books and the dual time perspective is one many authors choose to now write in, and this is a successful example. The story arc is engrossing and full of twists along the way. One thing in particular I enjoyed about the storytelling was the ability to show compelling personalities and experiences of different generations. This can frequently become contrived when writing/ reading historical fiction but I feel that McDonald does a fabulous job of portraying the generational gap and how they literally are worlds apart.
The characters and their depth are the true heroes of the story and are the main attributes to the success of the novel as a whole. The writing and creation of the characters show how well McDonald understand people. Her characters are full of depth, emotion and above all, relatable. Trauma plays a bit part in both the storytelling and characters, which is also represented through the brilliant use of the journals. McDonald shows talent for immersing us into vivid locations while keeping us in suspense all the while being historically accurate. I had very little knowledge of the history between the British Empire and splitting of Ireland and that adds a further tick in the box for a reason to read this novel.
The diaries are obviously the focal point of the novel and the voice that McDonald gives each character (Arthur, Edith and Henry) is so poignant and true to the tone of the book that you feel every emotion, pain and suffering they endure. It is also interesting to see the juxtaposition between the marriage of Brian and Jean and that of Arthur and Edith. The diaries create authenticity and is an advert for wonderful storytelling.
Despite the pain, betrayal and deprivation, this thriller also covers loyalty, adoration and love. It is gripping and a superb piece of literature that deserves all the success that will come its way.