Fergus obrien, behrenss protagonist, seems to be no more than a teenager. The law of dreams is a historical fiction novel about the irish potato famine by canadian author peter behrens. The law of dreams kindle edition by behrens, peter. For all of us, quotes are a great way to remember a book and to carry with us the authors best ideas. Peter behrens born 1954 is a canadianamerican novelist, screenwriter and short story writer. Peter behrens is a phenomenal artist whose imagination and memory honors the lives of millions of the irish victims including his great grandparents who suffered under english. Throughout the book, he has a series of companions and protectors who assist him when he is sick, hungry, or exhausted. The law of dreams book by peter behrens 6 available.
The law of dreams has 6 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. A novel peter behrens steerforth july 21, 2009 the law of dreams tells the story of a young mans epic passage from innocence to experience during the great famine in ireland of 1847. Peter behrenss previous book, the story collection night driving, was published in 1987. Alistair macleod, author of no great mischief i wound up loving this novel. Behrens restores to anonymous victims of the irish famine the density, complexity and dignity of. Buy a cheap copy of the law of dreams book by peter behrens. The law of dreams is structured around ferguss emotional and spiritual quest. This book was awarded the canadian governorgenerals literary award for fiction, and i suspect that much of its appeal lay in the same sentiment that gave such acclaim to kate grenvilles the secret river.
The law of dreams by peter behrens the resident judge. Sign me up to get more news about historical fiction books. He and the other characters are constantly forced to make difficult choices in order to survive. In the character of joe obrien ambitious railroad magnate and industrialist, fiercely loyal family man, brooding troubled soul he gives us one of the most compelling and complex characters to come along in years. The law of dreams ebook by peter behrens rakuten kobo. The law of dreams tells the story of a young mans epic passage.
The law of dreams book by peter behrens thriftbooks. A novel light rubbing wear to cover, spine and page edges. Each week, our editors select the one author and one book they believe to be most worthy of your attention and highlight them in our pro connect email alert. The novel follows the young fergus obrien, who lives and works with his tenant family on a potato farm in ireland. Tell us about your book club and well send you a free copy of the random house readers circle catalog. His debut novel, the law of dreams, won the 2006 governor generals award for english fiction, and was shortlisted for the rogers writers trust fiction prize, the commonwealth writers prize, the cba libris award for fiction book of the year, and the amazon. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
The law of dreams project gutenberg selfpublishing. Behrens held a prestigious stegner fellowship at stanford university. Peter behrenss bestselling novel is gorgeously written, homeric in scope, and haunting in its depiction of a young mans perilous journey from. Peter behrenss first novel, the law of dreams, won the governor generals literary award, canadas most prestigious book prize, and has been published in nine languages. We feel his sadness and love for all those he has lost, both man and animal, keenly. Possible clean exlibrary copy, with their stickers and or stamps. That he has lived long with the law of dreams is evident on every page. Peter behrenss first novel, the law of dreams, won the governor generals award, canadas most prestigious book prize, and has been published in nine languages. Read the law of dreams a novel by peter behrens available from rakuten kobo. On his odyssey through ireland and britain, and across the atlantic to the boston states, fergus is initiated to violence, sexual heat, and the glories and dangers of the industrial revolution. Almost two million people died or left ireland between.
Also 2 collection sof short stories, night driving macmillan and traveling light astoria. Peter behrens, quote from the law of dreams is courage just the awareness that gestures, journeys, lives have intrinsic shape, and must, one way or another, be completed. Peter behrens eagerly awaited second novel is the obriens. Peter behrens writes about the famine and its consequences as if he were an eyewitness. The law of dreams is a brilliant, heartfelt celebration of the capacity of the human spirit, fueled by hope, to prevail in the face of the worst life can offer. The law of dreams tells the story of a young mans epic passage from innocence to experience during the great famine in ireland of 1847. His debut novel, the law of dreams, won the 2006 governor generals award for. The law of dreams is a brilliantly written novel about one of the most underrecognized events in the lives over 80,000,000 people scattered around the globe. Speak with your favorite authors and finally ask those lingering questionswe have over 100 authors available for phone chats. The law of dreams follows fergus obrien from ireland to liverpool and wales during the great potato famine of 1847, and then beyond to a harrowing atlantic crossing to.
The law of dreams is a historical fiction novel about the great famine of ireland by canadian author peter behrens. The law of dreams by peter behrens, paperback barnes. Peter behrens is a phenomenal artist whose imagination and memory honors the lives of millions of the irish victims including his great grandparents who suffered under english domination, injustice, and cruelty for centuries. The historical detail is spot on and the language is appropriately coarse and both combine to immerse the reader in the world of young fergus. Very minimal writing or notations in margins not affecting the text.
The law of dreams is an absorbing, unsparing and beautifully written account of one young mans escape from the charnel house that ireland became. Peter behrens transports the reader to another time and place for a resonant, unforgettable experience. In peter behrenss the law of dreams, winner of the governorgenerals literary award for englishlanguage fiction in 2006, the main character, a boy, is. The law of dreams follows fergus obrien from ireland to.
The law of dreams is the best literary adventure novel ive read since lonesome dove. Impelled by his great dream, peter behrens young irish hero survives the potato famine of 1847, an allout war with his landlord, the brutalities of life on the tramp, a railroad encampment, nineteenthcentury liverpool. The law of dreams tells the story of a young mans epic passage from innocence to experience during the great famine in. Download free the law of dreams peter behrens guided dreams self healing welcome to this guided deep sleep hypnosis session with spoken words, natural rain sounds and sleeping music. The law of dreams winner of the 2006 governor generals award. A novel by peter behrens and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
Based on peter behrenss own family history, the law of dreams is lyrical, emotional, and thoroughly extraordinarya searing tale of ardent struggle and ultimate perseverance. The law of dreams npr coverage of the law of dreams by peter behrens. The law of dreams, inspired by the authors family history, puts a human face on this widespread poverty, famine, disease, and displacement. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the law of dreams. Irish paupers flee famine and pestilence in screenwriter behrenss grim first novel. Peter behrens first novel reflects his own familys experience, forced out of ireland by the potato famine. Possibly the most powerful book ive read for many years but its neither pleasant nor comfortable.
Published in 2006 by house of anansi press, it was the recipient of that years governor generals award for english language fiction plot overview. Peter behrenss bestselling novel is gorgeously written, homeric in scope, and haunting in its depiction of a young mans perilous journey from innocence to experience. The law of dreams steerforth by peter behrens tells of a young mans homeric passage from innocence to experience during the irish famine of 1847. Howard frank mosher i was amazed and moved by peter behrenss the law of dreams. The law of dreams follows fergus obrien from ireland to liverpool and wales during the great potato famine of 1847, and then beyond to a harrowing atlantic crossing to montreal. The book veers dangerously close to melodrama on more than a few occasions, and fergus, for all the. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. The storytelling is terrific, the writing lyrical, often startling. In his first novel, peter behrens writes about the famine and its consequences as if he were an eyewitness. The irish potato famine of the mid1840s killed an estimated half a million people and dislocated a million more. Peter behrens is a canadian novelist, screenwriter and short story writer. He is also the author of the more about peter behrens.
His debut novel, the law of dreams, won the 2006 governor generals award for english fiction. The law of dreams tells the story of a young mans homeric passage from innocence to experience during the irish famine of 1847. He is also the author of the novel carry me and two collections of short stories, night driving and travelling light. Published in 2006 by house of anansi press, it was the recipient of that years governor generals award for english language fiction. Peter behrens first novel the law of dreams won the governorgenerals literary award and is published in nine languages. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. The law of dreams is an absorbing, unsparing and beautifully written account of one young mans escape from the charnel house that ireland becameif his story is harsh his writing is seamless, and often gorgeous.