The Collegians

By Gerald Griffin

Book Overview

A romantic melodrama set in rural Ireland in the early 19th century, this complex story of love, rivalry, secrecy, and betrayal, based on a real case of 1829, was one of the most successful thrillers of its day Young Hardress Cregan is a collegian and a rogue, with a wicked, roving eye. Although he is courting his wealthy cousin Anne, he has also embarked on a passionate love affair with the lowly--but very beautiful--Eily O'Connor. Hardress knows that his family would never approve of this match and he should abandon his new fancy, but his lust overwhelms his conscience and he embarks on a fatal deception--secretly marrying Eily, while succumbing to his mother's machinations and becoming engaged to Anne. How will Hardress extricate himself from this dilemma? Together with his hunchback half-brother, Danny Mann, he hatches a deadly conspiracy. Originally published in 1829, and inspired by a celebrated criminal case, this novel was a sensation in its day, making Killarney a tourist attraction, and its thrilling plot--involving love, rivalry, secrecy, and betrayal--inspiring many imitations.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1843548550
• ISBN13: 9781843548553
• Release Date: April 2011
• Publisher: Atlantic Books (UK)
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.0" x 7.7"