Across the Divide

by Brian Gallagher

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.

Genres: Historical Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 20, 2010

About the author

Brian Gallagher is a full-time writer whose plays and short stories have been produced in Ireland, Britain and Canada. He has worked extensively in radio and television, writing many dramas and documentaries. He collaborated with composer Shaun Purcell on the musical, Larkin, for which he wrote the book and lyrics, and on Winds of Change for RTE’s Lyric FM.

His first book of historical fiction for young readers was Across the Divide, set in the 1913 Dublin Lockout, followed by Taking Sides, set against the background of the Civil War, and Secrets and Shadows, an exciting spy novel that begins with the North Strand bombings during World War II.

Brian lives with his family in Dublin.

Reviews

[Shannon]

Amazing. Really gives an idea of both sides of the Dublin lockout.

[Ille]

'Across the Divide' by Brian Gallagher is a very good book.

I would recommend this book to/for young readers who enjoy historical fiction books.

[nate ⁕]

me when historical fiction

[Colm]

Teaching kids about the labour movement. Class.

[Aoife Friary]

I loved this book i think it created a clear picture of what the Dublin lockout was like and the story was really interesting especially seeing how all the families were effected differently by it.
i do think the ending was a bit anti-climatic because with a big plot i expected a big ending but it was just a bit of an "oh.. okay" ending. the ending wasn't bad it just wasn't exiting. but i still loved this book and loved the characters.
also i read this for school.

[Greysun Angel]

I like very much this book. I think Secrets and shadows and Across the divide is my favourite books.

[TashoTheLegend]

This was a really great take on the lives of people in Dublin at the time and I found it a really great read for people who like historical fiction and friendship.