This is a lengthy story, but that certainly doesn't make it a bad one. It is certainly and emotional roller coaster if nothing else.

The story starts our with Sir Thomas going to inspect some recently acquired lands. He finds a manor in bad shape and a boy named Ian who would have been the next lord of the lands now belonging to Sir Thomas. Sir Thomas raises Ian a son right along side his own son, Rob, who is about the same age.

Rob and Ian are the best of friends even after Ian wins the heart of Sheila who is the woman they both loved. Rob marries a woman named Katherine out of duty, and even though she knows it is Sheila that he loves she none the less loves him.

This book is full of heart ache and above is only the beginning. In the end there is a triumphant ending for these families, but it isn't the one you would expect. I cried an awful lot throughout the reading of this novel.

The author has written a story that is very in depth as it traverses four generations before it comes to a close. The length is necessary however, and allows the reader to get as caught up in the characters lives as they would if it were about their own family. This is truly a work of art, and a wonderfully spun tale.

I read Gone the Rainbow, Gone the Dove when I was in college in the early 70's. It was a beautiful, heart-wrenching and realistic tale of 2 brothers who were on opposite sides of the Irish conflict. They loved and were loved by the same woman. It was not the standard melodramatic romance novel but a historic fiction that so enthralled me I could not put it down. I foolishly leant it to my sister-in-law who proceeded to lose it. Not wanting to alienate my husband's family, I did not strangle her. But I have since been looking for this book so I can let my daughter read it. If anyone knows where I can find a copy, I would greatly appreciate it! msjandonn@aol.com

I am of Irish decent on my mother's side and as my maternal grandparents were the two most wonderful people in my life as I was growing up I have always had a fascination with all things Irish ! This book was recommended to me by a co-worker who had always cherished it as one of her favourites . I read like a fiend and heartily accepted the offer to read her cherished old copy .This book was originally published in 1973 and according to the front cover was made into a movie that I would love to see if it exists on video ! The story which chronicles the coming-of-age of a group of Irish youngsters is so poignant and heart-wrenchingly realistic that I was hard-pressed to leave it alone for a moment once I started reading . I will not give the story away but as a person who normally reads more hard-boiled story lines and isn't normally prone to being affected by "romantic" dramatisations I found myself sighing heavily at times and being quite emotional . It is an incredibly well-told story that has plenty of action and romance and manages to convey the full spectrum of the human experience from joy to heart-break without any of the crude profanity or cheap thrills prevelent in todays literature . In short this is indeed a classic and is well worth hunting down !

This book is both funny and sad and perfectly depicts Ireland's struggle against the British.It is full of surprising twists, and the author covers old themes with a refreshing skill. I am personally not moved by books or movies but this one got to me!! I read it five years ago and it is unforgettable.Highly recommended...