--- product_id: 49377902 title: "The Canal Bridge: A Novel of Ireland, Love, and the First World War" price: "¥5930" currency: JPY in_stock: true reviews_count: 12 url: https://www.desertcart.jp/products/49377902-the-canal-bridge-a-novel-of-ireland-love-and-first store_origin: JP region: Japan --- # The Canal Bridge: A Novel of Ireland, Love, and the First World War **Price:** ¥5930 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Canal Bridge: A Novel of Ireland, Love, and the First World War - **How much does it cost?** ¥5930 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.jp](https://www.desertcart.jp/products/49377902-the-canal-bridge-a-novel-of-ireland-love-and-first) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description “The best novel of love in the time of war since Cold Mountain .” —Howard Frank Mosher, author of Walking to Gatlinburg In 1913, before there is a rumor of war in Europe, two lifelong friends from Ballyrannel in the Irish midlands, Matthias “Matt” Wrenn and Con Hatchel, decide to see the world at the expense of the king of England and join the British army. A year later, while en route to India, their troop ship is recalled and they find themselves in the slaughterhouse that was World War I. As stretcher bearers, the two men witness the horrors of the battlefield and the waste of human life at the Somme, Ypres, and Passchendaele. Meanwhile, back home in Ireland, Con’s sister and Matt’s lover, Kitty Hatchel, yearns for their safe return and reminds them of their carefree childhood on the banks of the local canal, as well as their hopes for the future. Brilliantly and movingly narrated as a chorus of voices from the community—Matt, Con, Kitty, and others— The Canal Bridge tells the story of how the young men take Ballyrannel to war with them, and the many ways they bring the war’s devastation home. At war’s end, the Ireland the friends left in 1913 no longer exists, for the Rising against the British in 1916 has changed everything. In a land now riven with sectarian tensions and mounting bloodshed unfolds the love story of Matt and Kitty. Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade, Yucca, and Good Books imprints, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in fiction—novels, novellas, political and medical thrillers, comedy, satire, historical fiction, romance, erotic and love stories, mystery, classic literature, folklore and mythology, literary classics including Shakespeare, Dumas, Wilde, Cather, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home. Review: This book was beautifully written and historically accurate. - This story of childhood friends growing up together and the effects of the first world war on their relationships and lives was gripping and unforgettable. It is truly a love story, and also a very human story of war and loss. As difficult and painful as parts of this were, the book was honest and very real to me. A piece of history came into clear focus for me, and I will never forget this. Also I felt that the book delivered a beautiful message about redemption and healing. I would highly recommend it, but it is not for the faint of heart. Review: Good story, Great writing. - The story is told chapter by chapter by individuals involved. It takes a little while to piece together as each person adds his or her part, but it will happen and you will see how the contribution of each character in the novel comes together to add up to a great novel. I liked the book. Even if I had not liked the book the ability of the author to give us insights to the inner feelings of the various characters makes it worth reading. The descriptions of the horrors of war, in this case World War I, make you see all wars as you probably never have considered them before unless you have been personally and directly involved. It is a novel, fiction, but those descriptive pages are real enough and make you feel as though you are there in the middle of the horrors on the battlefield or back at home hoping for the survival of those who are away fighting in the trenches. There were times in reading this book that I could not put it down and then, when I did, I had to pause a while just to consider what I had read. This book isn't one where everyone lives happily ever after. It is the real real lives of people in Ireland during WWI. It is well worth reading for the story it tells and for the ability of the author to tell that story. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #3,884,143 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #5,170 in Military Historical Fiction #7,615 in Historical British & Irish Literature #15,008 in War Fiction (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.3 out of 5 stars 226 Reviews | ## Images ![The Canal Bridge: A Novel of Ireland, Love, and the First World War - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71WMDvQf7fL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book was beautifully written and historically accurate. *by A***R on January 14, 2020* This story of childhood friends growing up together and the effects of the first world war on their relationships and lives was gripping and unforgettable. It is truly a love story, and also a very human story of war and loss. As difficult and painful as parts of this were, the book was honest and very real to me. A piece of history came into clear focus for me, and I will never forget this. Also I felt that the book delivered a beautiful message about redemption and healing. I would highly recommend it, but it is not for the faint of heart. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good story, Great writing. *by S***1 on June 28, 2015* The story is told chapter by chapter by individuals involved. It takes a little while to piece together as each person adds his or her part, but it will happen and you will see how the contribution of each character in the novel comes together to add up to a great novel. I liked the book. Even if I had not liked the book the ability of the author to give us insights to the inner feelings of the various characters makes it worth reading. The descriptions of the horrors of war, in this case World War I, make you see all wars as you probably never have considered them before unless you have been personally and directly involved. It is a novel, fiction, but those descriptive pages are real enough and make you feel as though you are there in the middle of the horrors on the battlefield or back at home hoping for the survival of those who are away fighting in the trenches. There were times in reading this book that I could not put it down and then, when I did, I had to pause a while just to consider what I had read. This book isn't one where everyone lives happily ever after. It is the real real lives of people in Ireland during WWI. It is well worth reading for the story it tells and for the ability of the author to tell that story. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is an excellent story set against the background of World War 1 ... *by E***J on October 30, 2017* This is an excellent story set against the background of World War 1 that deals with one of the more disgraceful episodes in Irish history. Over 200,000 Irish Catholics served in the British Army in World War 1 and the Republic of Ireland has only recently and grudgingly acknowledged their service. This is of special interest to me as both my grandfather and a great uncle served. My grandfather took a bullet in the knee at Gallipoli and his brother was killed at Passchendale. This is the only book I have ever read which understood why they served. Some sought adventure, most were young and naive, many could not find work. Of course after the war they were branded as rogues and most kept their service to themselves. My grandfather emigrated to America and left Ireland for good. I've seen his "village" and I thank God everyday he did. By that time, of course, all of their detractors were claiming to be IRA men and deeply involved in the rebellion. This is a narrative we have all heard ad nauseam for 100 years. This book presents a different side, a story of ordinary people caught up in a horror not of their own making. I truly enjoyed this and it is a story that was long overdue. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.jp/products/49377902-the-canal-bridge-a-novel-of-ireland-love-and-first](https://www.desertcart.jp/products/49377902-the-canal-bridge-a-novel-of-ireland-love-and-first) --- *Product available on Desertcart Japan* *Store origin: JP* *Last updated: 2026-10-31*