The Bottom Line: A welcome respite from monotonous historical thrillers, Born of Bombs and Bullets delivers a fresh, hard-hitting take on Northern Ireland’s Troubles as seen through the eyes of a vulnerable American.
After failing to stop a preventable murder in the American prison where he worked, psychologist Aaron Thornton moves to his wife’s native city of Belfast, Northern Ireland, for a fresh start. Thornton specializes in psychological trauma, including vicarious trauma and transgenerational trauma, which is the psychological impact of trauma experienced by previous generations on their descendants.
His specialty is particularly relevant in the context of Northern Ireland’s violent 20th century history, known as The Troubles, which has led to significant psychological issues in the population. Charged with overseeing the release of the Irish Republican Army’s deadliest bomb maker, Thornton, who is quite vulnerable and insecure himself, seems on the verge of doing the exact opposite of what he intends.
Author David A. Dummer has structured Born of Bombs and Bullets in an unconventional style that, while risky, works well. While the story belongs to Aaron Thornton, it’s as much about The Troubles as it is about our hero’s plight. Accordingly, Dummer doesn’t simply stick with a linear narrative featuring Thornton as the nucleus among a core group of characters. Instead, Dummer tells the story, in part, through a series of vignettes featuring a large cast of characters that, taken together, form a powerful lens through which to see the world.
The chapter titled “1972” focuses on an 18th birthday celebration for Liam O’Malley, only to end in violence as his sister – who organized the festivities – watches as her brother hurls a petrol bomb at British soldiers. Elsewhere, the chapter “Matthew 7:15” – a reference to the bible verse warning of false prophets – documents the murder of a priest who dared to dream of reconciliation. Meanwhile, “Undercover” tells the story of MI5 agent James Dwyer, who, while imprisoned, makes a deal to work for the UK government. He seduces rising IRA star Brianna Donovan and, through both cunning and luck, manages to infiltrate the organization as its technology guru.
At times, the weight of Dummer’s unusual structure seems on the verge of collapse. Miraculously, Dummer stitches it all together quite well. Much like the structure of a Miles Davis-style jazz composition, the sections featuring Aaron Thornton feel like home base, while vignettes with surrounding characters feel like risky, yet wholly satisfying, solos. The effect is one readers won’t soon forget.
