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Jump to navigationJump to searchThe Girls of Ennismore: A Heart-Rending Irish Saga by Patricia Falvey (view source)
Revision as of 09:16, 27 August 2020
, 09:16, 27 August 2020no edit summary
Patricia envelops us in the girls and so all history is seen from where they are emotionally and geographically. We only hear about the massive moments like the Titanic (the source of a delicious twist) and the events around the General Post Office from third parties. This could be a trip wire for some authors if readers who like to witness history feel some disappointment. There are no worries on that score here though – trip wire avoided. This story is populated with people we care about immensely and so the important thing to us as well as the writer becomes how it affects them.
Throughout this deceptively light read Patricia also effectively communicates historic nuances. For instance , the money (or lack of it) and it's connection with each person's nation of origin. It may have been centuries since the English invaded Ireland but that domination is still evident at the time along with its benefits for the Anglo-Irish and deprivations of the indigenous communities. Such realisations makes make the Irish struggle so much more understandable and so much more poignant.
This is a definite 'must read' for all of us who love sagas. If anyone is harbouring memories of the tales woven by Belva Plain or Howard Fast's ''Immigrant Saga'' thinking we may not see their like again, put down your tissues and dig in. ''The Girls of Ennismore'' is such good stuff, I'd bet on you not being disappointed.
(We'd like to thank Corvus for providing us with a copy for review.)
Further Reading: If you enjoy a good saga, then we heartily recommend [[The Son by Philipp Meyer]]. If you'd like to stick with Ireland, [[Lovers' Hollow by Orna Ross]] takes us in a historical fiction way past the Rising and into the 1920s as the ripples keep spreading. We also liked [[Fallen Angels by Tara Hyland]].
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