South Carolina, 1781: the American Revolution. An enslaved man escaping to his freedom saves the life of Lord Edward Fitzgerald, a British army officer and the younger son of one of Ireland's grandest families. The tale that unfolds is narrated by Tony Small, the formerly enslaved man who becomes Fitzgerald's companion—and best friend. In this gripping narrative, his character considers the ironies of empire, captivity, and freedom, bringing Neil Jordan's inimitable storytelling ability to the revolutions that shaped the eighteenth century.