Mina

Mina Duo #1

by Jonatha Ceely

In the musty attic of an upstate New York house, a woman finds a clasped box, hidden away for over a century. Inside, wrapped in cambric and tied with a green ribbon, is an old manuscript written by a girl dreaming of a better life, fighting for survival, and coming of age in a time of chaos and danger. This wondrously told tale is a stirring adventure set in nineteenth-century England, a novel of rich history and vibrant imagination.
Amid the lush fields and gardens of an English estate, in a kitchen where every meal is a sumptuous feast, a young servant called Paddy anxiously hides her true identity. Using coal soot and grease, she conceals her flaming head of red hair and covers her body, desperate to keep the job she needs to survive. But the girl, whose real name is Mina, cannot conceal from herself the pain of her past or the beauty of an Ireland she remembers with love and grief--until she meets a man who convinces her to trust him, a man hiding sorrows of his own.
To the mysterious Mr. Serle--the estate's skilled and quiet chef--Mina dares to confess her true identity and reveal a shattered past: her flight from the blighted fields of her homeland to the teeming streets of Liverpool...her memories of the family she lost and dreams for the future. And as Mina and Mr. Serle begin to know each other, an extraordinary journey begins--a journey of faith and identity, adventure and awakening, that will alter the course of both their lives.
The sights and sounds of nineteenth-century England come vividly to life in Jonatha Ceely's magnificent novel, a tale that explores the intricate relationship forged by two people in hiding. Moving and unforgettable, "Mina" is historical fiction at its finest--a novel that makes you think, feel, and marvel...until the last satisfying page is turned. "From the Hardcover edition."

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Coming Of Age, Book Club, Young Adult

ebook

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I could not put it down and actually ended up buying it, just so I could own it (having borrowed it from the library). I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

[Tatyana Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally broke through my 2021 rut and found a book that I actually enjoyed. The writing is really good, character development was beyond my expectations. I certainly did not expect some of the plot twists. Great book to read for those interested in both the Great Irish Famine and the anti-Jewish laws in 19th century Europe.

[Michele Delimont · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many details to build a picture of the 1800s & peoples lives. And it all led very well into another segment. The story is somewhat aligned with situations today as far as nationality, religion, personal features of way of life. It just makes you think with a great story to tie it all together. I'm anxious to read the second chapter as the characters head to America,

[Bud Mallar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another where it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Nothing wrong with the writing, the story, the characters, the historical perspective, the period details. Not a whole lot of plot, no excitement, just a good historical novel.

But, I started it and it just couldn't hold my interest, and I haven't had any interest in picking up where I left off 6 months ago, so time to move on.

[Kristin Komar · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Mina” is very interesting book in the historical fiction genre. It takes place in nineteenth-century Britain Mina Pigot lost her home and family in Ireland. She goes to work for the gentry, in a kitchen where every meal is a feast of delicacies. She must disguise her gender and her red hair. Her sole confidant is Benjamin Serle, who also hides a shattered past.

[DENISE HUETH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy makeral

I loved this story. Bad times in Ireland. Poor lad finds security in a least likely mentor. Throw in old history of Ireland, Italy, England and I am in heaven.
This tale shows that we should and can learn understanding of all people and religions.

[Fiiiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I breezed through this in an evening. There wasn't a whole lot of plot but I really enjoyed the way the characters were painted. It all felt very real and it was easy to get immersed in the atmosphere of the kitchen.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because Mina is my twin sister's name. The book made me think about the history of the challenges in Ireland, England and France back in the 1800's.

It had a lot of suspense and I found it interesting.

[Patricia Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not so much

Seems to lack a real focus. The basic premise is contrived, and many events are beyond the believable. Relies heavily on dream sequences.

[Cindy Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it

A great historical novel. I bought both and can’t wait to begin the next. Reminds me a little of Yentl.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful relationship

I really enjoyed the relationship between the wise and kind Mr. Serle and Mina. Both of their stories were tragic but they helped each other.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://bookwinked.wordpress.com/2021...

[Dara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 good story; slows in the middle when there is a lot of exposition.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook. This book is incomplete. It is continued in a sequel, which is not available as an audiobook.

[Bitsy]

***SPOILERS - though no more than can be suspected from the book's title***

A young servant that finds work in the kitchens of an estate in the English countryside, Paddy has several secrets that they need to keep in order to survive there: their name, their past, their heritage and even her gender. The story that unfolds is of a young girl’s attempt to escape Ireland during the potato famine and live a free life in America, unfortunately a serious of horrible events result in her being separated from her parents and then her brother, and being set on the run from the law and a couple that would have her enslaved and worse. Ending up as a kitchen hand is the first good turn she has and meeting up with the mysterious Mr. Serle her second.

Mina is a delightful and engaging novel with lots of twists and turns at a very enjoyable pace. Some people might have found it a little slow, but the fact that most of the plot came out as back story and only in fire-side chats made the story that much more interesting and gave it all a very cosy atmosphere. Surprising considering that the tales were about deaths, starvation, separation and mourning of great loss on both sides. I loved the descriptions of the work Mina did as a kitchen hand, the talk about the smells, tastes and textures of what was being prepared made my mouth water and left me hungry for more, literally!

I also enjoyed reading about the dynamic between Mina and Mr. Serle. I thought the scenes between them were well done and very touching. With their conflicting religions, ages, and backgrounds you would think they would be two characters that constantly butted heads. Instead there was some very realistic easing of tension and honest trust built up between them that was very enjoyable to read about.

As for the ending, you definitely won't be disappointed! Once the back story is out of the way the adventure really picks up and leaves you turning pages late into the night. I definitely recommend this book to people that enjoy a good, well written story that offers an endearing peak into England's underbelly, and the injustices suffered by the Irish at that time in England's history.

[Erin WV · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is that of a young, orphaned woman who disguises herself a boy to take on work in a kitchen and raise money for a passage to America. An enjoyable novel, if a bit derivative. When I finally convinced myself to quit picking the threads weaved in from Bronte and Burney and Catharine Maria Sedgwick, I enjoyed it on its own merits.

Ceely makes the refreshing choice of not forcing her two (male and female) protagonists into a romantic relationship just because they are there. She manages to knit the characters together just as intimately through their shared philosophies and intertwined fates and the book is the better for it. Interesting things to say about both gender and class, and a fine historical dramatization as well.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

i learned about the irish famine, immigration, life struggles, and prejudices inflicted on the irish. the descriptions of day to day life were quite entertaining. the cooking scenes were very accurate and the descriptions left me with the odors coming from the fireplaces and skullery wafting in my nose. i also learned about the jews in rome and the unjustices that they were forced to bear. the book provided a lot of sociology insight while presenting it in a very readable fashion. not too sappy nor too melancholy, i thouroughly enjoyed this read.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I had read this book before the sequel. I still gave it four stars because it was well written and a good story, but the sequel did a good job of recapping the first book, so none of the major plot twists surprised me. That was my own fault, not the authors. Interesting plot with good characters. Between "Mina" and "Bread and Dreams", I liked "Bread and Dreams" better, but I would still recommend reading them in order.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. What a brave girl to continue to want to make it to America even if she had to make it by herself. I love the historical background of this novel. I not only remembered some former Irish history but learned about the Jewish area in Rome. I am also about to start book two of this story in America.

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Explained in the preface as an 1848 diary of an Irish immigrant describing her trials in trying to get to America. Most reviews agree that the descriptions of kitchens and food are historically accurate. And that was fascinating, but the story moved too slowly, especially in the dream descriptions.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read Bread & Dreams by the same author & very much enjoyed it. Mina was the first novel in what appears to be a trilogy although the third novel is yet to be completed. Looking forward to digging into it.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyrical tale about a starving Irish girl during the potato famine and her fortuitous meeting, tutelage under an Italian Jewish cook in England. Their respective heartbreaking stories are both contrast and Echo. Loved this book.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. The second book is on to shelf waiting to be read.

[Jessica Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

just as addictive as "bread and dreams" -- even having read the sequel first.

[Elizabeth Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this!!If you read it don't read the back cover. It kind of ruins it. Just dive right in :)

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very nice story, though at times a little slow, it was still worth reading on to see what would happen next.

[G Gadus · Rating 5 out of 5]

My all-time favorite! I LOVE this book and its sequel "Bread and Dreams!" The beautiful and amazing story of an Irish immigrant and her protector, a cook.

[Anne Ipsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story about an Irish girl's will to survive the potato famine of the middle nineteenth century and her determination to get to America.

[Jacque Sherbak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but not as interesting and lacks the beautiful narrative and romance of the sequel "Bread and Dreams."

[Marylue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well researched novel of a Victorian England estate as experienced by an Irish girl orphaned by the potato famine. Raised a Catholic she learns to respect people of other faiths.