Famine (O'Flaherty novel)

Famine is a 1937 historical novel by Irish author Liam O'Flaherty. The novel vividly depicts the Great Famine in Ireland (1845-1849), focusing on the Kilmartin family and their struggles for survival in rural western Ireland.

The narrative details the progressive devastation of the potato blight, the primary food source for the impoverished Irish peasantry. O'Flaherty explores the complex social, economic, and political factors that exacerbated the famine's impact, including absentee landlords, the corn laws, and government policies perceived as inadequate and indifferent to the suffering of the Irish people.

The novel highlights the themes of starvation, disease, eviction, and death, portraying the immense hardship faced by the Kilmartin family and their community. Characters grapple with moral dilemmas as they confront the desperate circumstances, leading to social breakdown and individual acts of both compassion and brutality.

Beyond the immediate suffering, Famine examines the long-term consequences of the event, including emigration, the reshaping of Irish society, and the enduring legacy of resentment towards British rule. O'Flaherty's work is considered a significant contribution to Irish literature, offering a powerful and unflinching portrayal of one of the most devastating periods in Irish history.