The Years

‘The Years’ is a 'faction' novel - some would even call it the 'non-fiction novel' (see Wikipedia). The first chapter outlines, in graphic detail, the facts of Bloody Sunday on January 30th 1972 when fourteen men - many of them teenagers - were shot dead and twenty seven injured by British paratroopers. The rest of the story is part fiction, with fictitious characters but as impeccably researched as a history book. Told in the forceful language of Derry’s streets, The Years is a roller coaster ride down forty years of the town’s history. Francie, released from jail after a long sentence, is trying to come to terms with the changes peace has brought, as well as dealing with what he did – and didn’t – do on Bloody Sunday.
Meanwhile, the unnamed paratrooper who killed a man on Bloody Sunday, is having to return to the nightmare he left behind decades earlier.