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The Girls of Ennismore: A Heart-Rending Irish Saga by Patricia Falvey (view source)
Revision as of 12:01, 30 May 2017
, 12:01, 30 May 2017no 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 the 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 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.
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[[Category:Women's Fiction]]