Shaun Francis makes a powerful literary debut with Reconciliation. This novel confronts the emotional wreckage of political violence through a deeply personal lens. Set in Northern Ireland, Francis tells the story of Michael Doherty, a former IRA gunman, who is forced to confront the mother of the British soldier he killed twenty years earlier. The result is a raw and emotionally charged narrative that explores themes of guilt, memory, and the human cost of ideology.
Blending sharp, reflective prose with unflinching honesty, Reconciliation is not a tale of political statements or historical summaries—it is about the people who live with the consequences. The novel spans two decades, bridging a brutal act in 1996 with its emotional aftermath in the present day. When Michael agrees to meet Martha, the soldier’s mother, what follows is not a courtroom drama or a story of forgiveness, but a powerful reckoning between two broken lives.
Reconciliation is about what happens when the violence ends, but the pain doesn’t. It’s about asking the questions we’re often too afraid to face: Can someone be redeemed? Can truth exist without forgiveness? Can healing begin when nothing feels resolved?
Critics and early readers have praised the book’s emotional honesty and restraint, comparing it to The Kite Runner and The Things They Carried. With scenes that range from hauntingly quiet to violently chaotic, such as the unforgettable attack at O’Neil’s Bar, Francis grounds his storytelling in the reality of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances.
The novel has already begun resonating with readers worldwide, drawn to character-driven fiction and stories that navigate grief, loss, and the possibility of connection after devastation. Martha, in particular, stands out as a testament to quiet strength. Her meeting with Michael is one of the most emotionally powerful scenes in contemporary literary fiction—delivered not with sentimentality, but with the weight of lived experience.
Reconciliation is available now in paperback and ebook formats through major online retailers and select independent bookstores. It is a must-read for those interested in Irish history, literary fiction, and stories that go beyond the headlines to capture the heart of conflict.
Order your copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1967441421.
About the Author:
Shaun Francis was born in Dartford, Kent. He has a HND in Professional Writing from North West Kent College and a BA (Hons) degree in Humanities from the University of Greenwich. Reconciliation is his debut book that promises to engulf you within its pages. It will showcase his credibility and passion as a writer and will hope to captivate readers, especially those who enjoy history with a knack for thrill, suspense, and emotional drama.
Book Name: Reconciliation
Author Name: Shaun Francis
ISBN Number: B0F317B2KP
Ebook Version: Click Here
Paperback Version: Click Here
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