— Publisher's Weekly from Patricia Falvey's website
As I am a fanatic about anything Irish, when I was approached to receive a copy The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey, I was delighted. I read the reviews and I couldn't wait to get my copy.
This is a novel about Ireland and takes place during the years 1900- 1924 during a time of strife and upheaval due to WWI and during the Home Rule in Ireland. The main character Eileen O'Neill is a very strong woman. After the birth of a baby brother her mother takes off and goes home to Eileens grandfather, but has a breakdown and ends up in an asylum for the insane. Eileen, takes her infant brother and lives with a friend of the family and his wife after the family home (The Yellow House) burns down and they lose everything, including her father. She is forced by circumstances at a young age to be both a mother and father to her little brother. She promised herself that she will get The Yellow House back and reunite her family.
Eileen had a sister that died, and she also has an older brother Frank who goes to live with their grandfather.The grandfather had disowned their mother because of a scandal that ultimately changes every one's lives in the O'Neill household.
Eileen eventually goes to work in the mill owned by the Owen Sheridan, son of a well to do Quaker family. Eileen is very vocal on the working conditions at the mill. Owen is British and against violence of any kind but does eventually go to fight in WWI. Eileen finds that she has feelings for Owen, but ends up marrying James Conlin whom she met while she did her part in a movement proclaiming an independent Irish Republic in the south of Ireland.
The story is full of history during this famous time in Ireland's past that shaped the country to how it is today. It is a heartbreaking story of a family torn apart by secrets, war, religion and class distinctions. This book was thoroughly researched and maybe even a bit of the authors own past wound through the story. The characters are very well thought out. It tells the history of Ireland, but does not overwhelm you with the details. It tells about the anger and the hatred between the Catholics and the Protestants. Michael Collins, an Irish revolutionary leader and member of the Irish delegation during the Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations is part of the story.
I loved this book to say the least. It was an easy and fun read, when the families and neighbors would get together and have their music sessions, I could almost hear the sad songs of love and loss. Irish fiction at it's best.
I would like to thank Miriam at Hatchette books for sending me a copy of The Yellow House. I received this book for read and review and I did not receive any monetary compensation for my honest review.
..now on to the giveaway.. Miriam is graciously providing three copies of this wonderful book. U.S and Canada only. No P.O.Box's please...
To enter:
+5~~ be a follower of Blog O'The Irish / Celtic Lady Reviews
+5~~ post on your blog / Facebook/ or Twitter~~ let me know what you did.
+5~~visit authors website (listed above) and view book trailer
Leave email address please!!
Giveaway ends 3/10/10
View book trailer here
http://patriciafalvey.com/trailer.html
Author Bio from Hatchette Book Group
"I was born in Newry, Northern Ireland. At the age of eight I went to live in England and at twenty I immigrated to America. I enrolled as an English major at Suffolk University. However, due to lack of money I switched my major to Business. Although I progressed very successfully in my profession, I never lost my desire to write. It was only after years of struggle and doubt and yes... fear... that I eventually took the leap of faith, quit my profession, and devoted myself full time to finishing my first novel, The Yellow House."
