The novel I chose to read was 'How many miles to Babylon' by Jennifer Johnston. I decided to read this book because it had been recommended to me and it is also the Leaving Certificate course.
The novel is set in 1914 and it centres on the lives of two boys. Alexander Moore and Jerry Crowe. Alec is the son of two Anglo-Irish parents who grew up lonely and friendless on his parents' estate on the outskirts of Dublin. His parents have a difficult relationship and their only meeting point is centred around 'The Child'. Alec meets a local boy named Jerry and they both share their love of horses. Jerry is part of the Catholic underclass, two very different cultures. Alec's mother, who believes strongly in the class system of early twentieth century Ireland, discovers the friendship and forbids him to spend any more time with Jerry. Alicia, Alec's mother plans a trip to Europe for her and her son n the hope that when they return Jerry and Alec's relationship would be over, far from it.
Their friendship continued, much to Alicia's dismay and at this point in the novel war breaks out in France. Alicia's final attempt to keep Alec and Jerry apart she decides to send Alec off to war, this would mean that Alec would socialise with people of his own status and would become an officer and although Jerry also has plans to go to war to earn money for his family she believes that social status will separate them.
Alec and Jerry find themselves back together again and are both under the rule of the cruel and evil Major Glendinning. Although the Major doesn't take a liking to either Alec or Jerry their friendship remains strong up until the end when Jerry receives a letter which forces him to leave the trenches in search for his father. When he returns the consequences are brutal under the guidance of Major Glendinning, Jerry is sentenced to death, making Alec take command of the firing squad that will carry out Jerry's execution.
Alec cannot go through with command and on the night of Jerry's execution Alec visits Jerry in his cell and shoots him with his own pistol. At the end of the novel, Alexander himself is waiting for his own execution.
The character that I admire in this novel is Alec. Although the difference in class between himself and Jerry is oblivious he remains faithful to his only friend and doesn't let class or in his case family come in his way.
I really enjoyed this book. I was enthralled by how Alec and Jerry remained friends after everything. It was also very interesting to see the differences in social class in 20th Century Ireland. I also found this book an easy read and I could also understand the language used in the novel and it became almost impossible to put down. I would highly recommend this book to everyone as I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Ciara :)
