Fiddler's Quest

by Patricia Lynch

When talented young fiddler Ethne Cadogan's father goes to America, she goes to Dublin until her grandfather, King Cadogan of Inishcoppal, comes for her, but in the meantime she moves in with the lively Raffertys, works in a shop, plays in an orchestra for dancing, and helps two wounded young rebels elude capture

309 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1957

About the author

Patricia Lynch (c. 1894–1972) was an Irish writer of children's literature and a journalist. She was the author of some 48 novels and 200 short stories. She is best known for blending Irish rural life and fantasy fiction. [From wikipedia]

Reviews

[Louise Culmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ethne Cadogan has been at school in England, but her father Miles is off to America to seek his fortune, and wants to send Ethne to live with her grandfather on Insichcoppal. Miles must be one of the most careless fathers in fiction. He puts Ethne on a boat to Dublin, with his only instruction to her to go to a friend of his called Andy Cadogan who keeps a grocer’s shop, where she is to wait for her grandfather. He then goes off to America and takes no further part in the story. Ethne finds her way to Andy Cadogan’s shop and he is friendly enough, but his sister Celia does not want Ethne staying at the shop. Fortunately Andy finds her a place to stay, with a family called the Raffertys. Mrs Rafferty’s husband Tim went off to America some years before,leaving Mrs Rafferty to raise their five children alone. He hasn’t been heard of since. Ethne is welcomed by the Raffertys, especially as she has a great gift for playing the fiddle which is much valued in the local community. She writes to her grandfather but hears nothing from him. She doesn’t mind too much as she is happy with the Raffertys, but there is trouble looming as the oldest boy, Eammon, has got involved with the IRA.
This is a charming story with vivid descriptions of riverside Dublin and the close community in which the Raffertys live. Ethne is a resourceful heroine who copes well with the strange situation in which she finds herself and adapts to every change easily, with her music helping to carry her through every difficulty.

[Dustin Strite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found a copy of this book at a used book store and bought it because it had promising artistry. The story is as endearing as they come.