City of Bohane: A Novel by Kevin Barry

City of Bohane, a novel by Kevin Barry, is a complex and captivating tale, steeped in the dynamic culture of the fictional city of Bohane on the West Coast of Ireland. Set in an alternate reality, it is the story of a fierce battle between two rival gangs, who have controlled the city for many years. The story centers on Logan Hartnett, the leader of the Hartnett Fancy, the dominant gang in the city.

The atmosphere in Bohane is an intense and volatile one, inhabited by a diverse and eclectic mix of people from very different backgrounds, with each trying to find their place in the city. On one side is the Old Hare Crosbie clan, a long-established mob of crooks and gangsters. They are locked in a decades-long rivalry with the Hartnett Fancy, and it's Logan’s mission to preserve the Fancy’s hold on Bohane.

Logan’s closest allies, the MacCarthy family, help him maintain his hold on the city. His half-sister Jenni is a beautiful, powerful presence in the city, while his brother Gant is a wild but loyal friend, who serves as Logan’s advisor. However, they are threatened by the emergence of the upstart Backway gang, led by the charismatic Jeni C, a recent arrival to Bohane.

With the insidious influence of the old gods of Bohane (known as the Sheemas) always looming in the background, the two sides become locked in a destructive war for control of the city. In order to protect Bohane from the encroachments of the Backway and the Sheemas, Logan must rely on the backing of the mysterious forces of Alkali, a strange figure who appears to have influence over the city’s underworld.

At its heart, City of Bohane is a story of tormented loyalty and shifting alliances between the factions. The novel is infused with vivid, often poetic, language, capturing the unique atmosphere of the city, as well as the intensity of the relationships between its inhabitants. The action moves at a fast pace, fuelled by a darkly humorous energy, and often shadowed by a palpable sense of violence.

The novel has been generally well-received, with reviewers commending Barry’s powerful storytelling, and his ability to explore deeply troubling themes in an entertaining fashion. City of Bohane successfully brings to life a world of flamboyant characters, intense relationships and an atmosphere of suspense, never quite letting us know who will be victorious in the struggle for control of the city of Bohane.