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Involved
When Kitty Fitzgerald falls for Danny O'Neill it seems nothing could spoil their perfect relationship. Not even their very different backgrounds. But the carefree Danny Kitty knows in Dublin is not the person she finds when they both travel North to meet his family.
The O'Neills - Ma, the formidable matriarch, her daughter Monica, and the disturbed and menacing eldest son Eamon - are bound by blood and history to the past thy can never forget. As time goes on long-kept secrets rise to the surface and Kitty finds herself locked into a bitter struggle for the possession of Danny's soul ...
A superb debut, Involved is an extraordinarily powerful novel about love and obsession, the intricate pull of family and blood, and the dangerous arrogance of those who seek to loosen the ties that bind.
The O'Neills - Ma, the formidable matriarch, her daughter Monica, and the disturbed and menacing eldest son Eamon - are bound by blood and history to the past thy can never forget. As time goes on long-kept secrets rise to the surface and Kitty finds herself locked into a bitter struggle for the possession of Danny's soul ...
A superb debut, Involved is an extraordinarily powerful novel about love and obsession, the intricate pull of family and blood, and the dangerous arrogance of those who seek to loosen the ties that bind.
202 pages, Paperback
First published August 18, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 23, 2015
Dermot Bolger says that this book is, "a striking debut by an original and strong writer," and I'll tell you why I might agree with that statement.
The way I see it, this is a story about redemption, not of just one individual, Danny, but of his country and his family. Danny has Kitty. She loves him, but when they go to his home in Belfast, it's like all the ghosts and nightmares he buried come to light, and it does not help that he's got a brother, Eamon, who could be the devil himself.
And in their area, Eamon, is the guy people turn to when they want things done, but Kitty has one encounter with a boy, Liam, who is a victim of these acts, and it's enough to shatter their relationship.
I will hand it to Kate for being intense. She strips her characters down to their naked souls and shows the reader just how brutal or true a person can be.
I do not know whether it was betrayal or an understanding, but I did not take the ending kindly. It was as though a long time had passed between the pages, and I was unaware of it.
I did enjoy this book, and I only wish that the leap in time towards the end did not exist, because let's face it, Danny should have taken the chance and redeemed himself, if not for Kitty, but for the sake of hope.
The way I see it, this is a story about redemption, not of just one individual, Danny, but of his country and his family. Danny has Kitty. She loves him, but when they go to his home in Belfast, it's like all the ghosts and nightmares he buried come to light, and it does not help that he's got a brother, Eamon, who could be the devil himself.
And in their area, Eamon, is the guy people turn to when they want things done, but Kitty has one encounter with a boy, Liam, who is a victim of these acts, and it's enough to shatter their relationship.
I will hand it to Kate for being intense. She strips her characters down to their naked souls and shows the reader just how brutal or true a person can be.
I do not know whether it was betrayal or an understanding, but I did not take the ending kindly. It was as though a long time had passed between the pages, and I was unaware of it.
I did enjoy this book, and I only wish that the leap in time towards the end did not exist, because let's face it, Danny should have taken the chance and redeemed himself, if not for Kitty, but for the sake of hope.
January 30, 2023
I discovered this book recently, read the description on the back cover & I had to buy it. Ma & Eugene were as terrible as promised but fascinating as well. Kitty's mother was another nasty damaged person as well. Very exciting to read & highly recommended.
April 22, 2012
Kate O'Riordan's impressive first novel is about Northern Ireland - a complex and disturbing issue especially if you live in Ireland, as I do, having arrived five years ago. There are no easy answers, only many ruined and lives and much despair. Kate O'Riordan understands the dynamics (being Irish herself) and examines them courageously. I gave the book three stars because I find the subject so depressing and divisive.
June 19, 2012
I read this book some years ago and I really enjoyed this tense love story that was set in a part of London I know but also the author managed to 'tie' in the troubles of Northen Ireland. But as one review said, the author never detracts from the love story as if to say, that love can overcome anything. Very powerful.
March 30, 2008
A disappointment after the other books by this author. It was interesting but I found no rhyme or reason for the plot.
September 28, 2014
It was a long time ago that I read this book but I remember thinking it was really atmospheric and well written
January 29, 2013
The ending just left me shaking my head.
September 6, 2015
The story was boring when it started. But once Danny and Kitty got introduced the plot became strong. However, Danny's character came out to be very weak in the end which was not expected.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews