The Country of Our Dreams. Mary O'Connell

In 19th century Ireland – just one generation after the Great Famine had left a million dead and scattered the Irish across the globe – a new crop failure threatened the land and its people. This time round, a radical idea began to take hold: that famine was neither divine nor natural in origin but a political event, based on unequal power relations. From this, the globally based Irish Land League was born, led by the visionary Michael Davitt. Fanny and Anna Parnell's Ladies Land League would soon follow. Ireland, and the world, would never be the same again. In 21st century Sydney, preparations are under way for Loyola Ryan's 50th birthday. Protective older brother of Vianney, Xavier and their sister Siena, Loyola wants his family around him on the big day – even their difficult mother Kate. But Xavier has gone missing. Given his history of addiction, the family are worried. Vianney's partner Hilary fears yet another Ryan family drama. Only Vianney is unconcerned. He says Xavier is busy working on his novel about their glorious ancestor, Michael Davitt. But he won't tell them anything more.