An extraordinary novel about real-life Irish chieftain Grace O’Malley from the New York Times–bestselling author of the Irish Century series.
Grania (Gaelic for Grace) is no ordinary female. And she lives in extraordinary times. For even as Grania rises as her clan's unofficial head and breadwinner and learns to love a man, she enters a lifelong struggle against the English forces of Queen Elizabeth—her nemesis and alter ego.
Elizabeth intends to destroy Grania's piracy and shipping empire—and so subjugate Ireland once and for all. But Grania, aided by Tigernan, her faithful (and secretly adoring) lieutenant, has no choice but to fight back. The story of her life is the story of Ireland's fight for solidarity and survival—but it's also the story of Grania's growing ability to love and be strong at the same time.
Morgan Llywelyn has written a rich, historically accurate, and passionate novel of divided Ireland—and of one brave woman who is Ireland herself.
“ Grania is Morgan Llywelyn’s best book yet. Her characters spring instantly to life and the reader remains captivated from first page to last.” —Jean M. Auel, #1 New York Times–bestselling author
“Grania explodes from the pages of Ms. Llywelyn's best historical novel yet as one of the most remarkable women who ever lived—brave, resourceful, passionate, tender, and, finally, in her battle with the English she-king Elizabeth, victorious. A book for all those who are Irish, or who would like to be, or who like to read about the Irish.” —Andrew M. Greeley, New York Times–bestselling author
“Mary Stewart has a worthy rival.” —The Baltimore Sun
Morgan Llywelyn was born in New York City but her father was Irish, born in County Clare. Her mother was Irish and Welsh. Thus, Llywelyn qualified for dual Irish-American citizenship. As a child, she developed an abiding passion for horses. By the time she was sixteen, she was showing horses at championship level throughout the United States. She married Charles Winter in Denver, Colorado, and they had one son, Sean. In 1976, she was shortlisted for the United States Olympic Team in Dressage, missing the final cut by .05 points. To distract her from such a major disappointment, her mother interested her in researching the family history. Her first novel, The Wind From Hastings, resulted from that research. Published by Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, the book was an Alternate Main Selection for the Doubleday Book Club.