What happens when your best friend ought to be your enemy?
Liam and Nora form an unlikely friendship when he lends her a helping hand during a music competition. Liam's father, a mechanic, is a proud trade union member, while Nora's father is a prosperous wine importer.
When Jim Larkin takes on the might of the employers in 1913, resulting in strikes, riots and lockouts, Liam and Nora's friendship is challenged and their loyalties torn.
Caught up in events that they don't fully understand, the two come face to face with hardship and danger, but also find humour and generosity as they set out on an adventure that may make or break their friendship, but will definitely change their lives forever.
The historical events of the Dublin 1913 Lockout vividly portrayed through the lives of two young friends.
Author Brian Gallagher talks about writing his novel:
Brian reads the prologue from the novel. Liam is waiting for James Larkin's promised appearance on Sackville St -- along with hundreds of police, determined to stop him!
Extract available: read some of this book now ... Chapter 19
'Across the Divide is an intelligent look at a particularly turbulent piece of Irish history from a young person’s viewpoint.' Books Ireland
'an interesting blend of fiction and history in a tale set against the backdrop of Jim Larkin’s labour movement and the 1913 Lockout' Irish Examiner
'a compelling historical novel set against the backdrop of the Dublin Lockout of 1913 ... The author ‘breathes life into characters who in lesser hands could become stereotypes ... well researched ... a skilful, satisfying read ...should appeal to boys and girls in the 10-12 age group and older' Inis Magazine
'a very good read ... The book deals with a number of historical issues and raises questions of values.' Teachers Union of Ireland News
'the atmosphere of a troubled Dublin city awash with tension and poverty is excellently captured' Irish Examiner
'an imaginative take on one of the most famous events in Dublin history ... Gallagher weaves an engaging plot' Books Ireland
'In a fairy story, Liam and Nora might have stayed together and lived happily ever after, but rightly enough, Brian Gallagher brings their eight-month friendship to a more realistic and consequently a more satisfying conclusion.' Books Ireland
'brought the turbulence of the 1913 lockout alive for young readers' Sunday Independent
'Gallagher manages to deal with the historical issues of the day like social injustice, industrial unrest and women’s suffrage in a story that is exciting, gripping and occasionally humourous' Books Ireland
'provides a good historical account of a still topical subject in a style that will have young readers eagerly turning the pages to see what happens next ... Highly recommended' Bookfest
'written in a nice simple style and is suitable for fourth, fifth or sixth classes ... could also be used as a teaching aid in history, art or geography' InTouch
'interesting and very realistic' InTouch Reader reviews
'I really enjoyed this book. How the fiction of the characters mixed with non-fiction of the backround is really orignal. I live in Dublin too, and I learned about the 1916 lockout myself. I really liked learning about it and my favourite books are fiction books so this really was my kind of book' Jamie
'Probably the best book I've ever read' Jayesh
'I liked the book because it was a really good story. Why can't two people be friends no matter what the backround? I think their friendship was really good' Kieran
'Absolutely amazing! A great book and a must have read for anyone that loves a forbidden friendship. A capturing tale of a rich girl and a young boy from the slums in Dublin. When their paths collide at a choir practice, both their lives are changed forever' Joanne
'It is honestly one of the best books I have ever read' Ryan
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Congratulations to Anna Carey, winner of the Irish Book Awards Specsavers Children's Book Of The Year (senior category) award for The Real Rebecca, beating a highly-competitive field. Well done, Anna!
