Louise Kennedy's Trespasses has garnered praise for its emotive storytelling and complex characters set against the backdrop of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Critics applaud its vivid portrayal of historical and social tensions. However, some found its pacing uneven and character development lacking depth at times. Overall, it's a compelling but occasionally flawed narrative.

Fans of Trespasses by Louise Kennedy will appreciate intricate character development and richly depicted settings. Ideal for readers who enjoy exploring complex social dynamics and historical tensions, similar to The Troubles by J. Bowyer Bell or The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry.

In the historical novel Trespasses by Louise Kennedy, set in a town near Belfast during the 1970s amidst the violent sectarian conflict known as "the Troubles," young Catholic schoolteacher Cushla Lavery's quiet life is disrupted by a passionate affair with Michael Agnew, a married Protestant barrister who defends IRA suspects, leading her to navigate a complex web of societal expectations, religious divides, and personal desires. The book addresses wartime violence, homicide, and alcohol addiction.

Dark / Mysterious / Emotional / Challenging / Gritty

Louise Kennedy

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

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Trespasses Summary and Study Guide

Background

Trespasses Background

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section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “The Irish for No”

Prologue-Part 1

Trespasses Prologue-Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Dúil”

Part 2 Trespasses Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Chiaroscuro”

Part 3 Trespasses Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “In Calvary’s Flow”

Part 4 Trespasses Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “When I Move to the Sky”

Part 5-Epilogue

Trespasses Part 5-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Trespasses Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Trespasses Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Trespasses Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Trespasses Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Trespasses Essay Topics

Trespasses

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