Mount Merrion

by Justin Quinn

Declan and Sinead Boyle are pillars of society - born into prosperous families, educated at Dublin's finest schools, dwellers in a fine house in a leafy suburb. So why are they in so much trouble?

Declan wants to serve his country - but he also wants to serve his own ambition. Sinéad wonders if she is allowed, in the Ireland of the 1960s and '70s, to have ambitions at all. Their son, Owen, seems intent on squandering the advantages of a prosperous upbringing and an expensive education. Their daughter Issie, gifted and attractive, has all the options in the world - and keeps choosing the wrong one.

Mount Merrion, the dazzling debut novel by Justin Quinn, tells the story of the Boyles from Declan and Sinéad's first meeting, in the late fifties, through decades of success, failure and tragedy. Set against the brilliantly realized backdrop of a changing Ireland, it is a page-turning drama, a biting satire and a lovingly detailed portrait of a marriage and a family.

Genres: Marriage

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2013

Reviews

[Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this novel as a remainder from Easons, having heard nothing about either it or its author, mainly because the blurb alluded to a narrative that had a similar scope to two novels that I loved, Gerard Stembridge's Unspoken and The Effect of Her. At the same time, I was a little dubious, feeling that the cover perhaps leaned a little toward the 'chick lit' genre. Having taken probably 6 months before finally reading, I'm delighted that I took the chance to buy the book, having thoroughly enjoyed the narrative.


The novel follows the lives of the Boyle family-father Declan, mother Sinead, son Owen and daughter Issie, checking in at different times of their lives at intervals from 1959 to 2002. Declan, son of a prominent barrister, has grown up in a house on Mount Merrion Avenue in south Dublin, attended the right school and surprises his father in the route he decides to take career wise. Becoming successful in an unexpected way, while remembering his family roots in Connemara, he establishes links with up and coming politicians who assist him in achieving his goals. Sinead initially struggles with her role as 1960s Irish housewife, and we see her battle played out in the chapters concerned with this decade. As the children grow, through Issie in particular, we see how things develop for the female in Irish society, her life completely different from her mothers, yet with its own strain. Indeed the author is pretty damning of the ugliness pervading in Ireland as the novel reaches its conclusion in 2002, on the crest of the property boom.


I'm a sucker for this type of novel based on social history, particularly in Ireland, my love for the two Gerard Stembridge novels already expressed above. While this one is a lot more sparse, therefore dealing with a lot less, it does a great job in raising very important issues from the times it covers, including political issues like corruption and greed, as well as social and personal issues, like belonging, depression, grief etc. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to relate to the well heeled characters, but I did identify with the Boyles (though not perhaps some of their associates quite so much). The novel does veer the odd time, establishing a link with Germany that I'm not sure of the reasoning behind (there may be an historical explanation that I'm not aware of), but overall, I found that it far surpassed my initial expectations for it, and that Quinn has done an excellent job in weaving the narrative of the family through the decades.


Definitely a book that I'd recommend to anyone with an interest in the social and political history of Ireland in the late 20th century!

[Trish at Between My Lines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mount Merrion is a challenging and original debut novel from Justin Quinn.

It spans from 1960's Ireland to more contemporary times with flair and intrigue. It takes on the difficult task of mixing a family saga with a political and cultural background and does an admirable job of it.

The change in characters pov was a great way of experiencing the changing times as we moved through the decades.

The reason for my 3 star reading is more down to personal taste than any flaw with the book. I prefer more of chick lit feel to my books and this book is a lot more serious and political than I was expecting.

I still enjoyed it though and it made a refreshing change from my usual reading menu.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

[Carol Griffiths · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable story of an Irish family from the 1950s until almost the present. The characters were well drawn and it was interesting to see how their situations changed over the years. There was a little political and social comment which gave some insight into recent Irish history.

[Ec · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this in an op shop and with it’s proximity to home had to grab it. A good way of exploring modern Ireland from the 1950s to the Celtic tiger. The plight of the housewife, the role of status, the generational differences, .

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me kind of sad but in a good way. A story of a relationship enduring the tests of time.

[Marion Grassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Big thanks to Justin Quinn! The following is my considered review of the book.
The setting for his family saga is a changing Ireland moving through several decades. It reflects the differing expectations, standards and aspirations of life in the home, in education and at work throughout the various times. It depicts the changing politics of the period, the economic growth and foreign investment; the behaviour, corruption and political practices considered acceptable during these times. It also illustrates the vast social and cultural differences between the established Dublin class system and the rural communities. Despite this, it remains at heart a story of a family through good times and bad.
I enjoyed this book very much. It was well written, and did not seem like a first novel. While informative, it was easy to read. Characters were likeable and the dialogue between them was so well written I couldn’t help but ‘hear’ it in an Irish accent.
Throughout each period, the author manages to create authentic background and atmosphere - from its start in a quiet rural hospital via a turbulent Europe through to the satisfyingly rounded-off conclusion.

[Lily Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mount Merrion is about the Boyle family, the parents Sinéad and Declan and their children Owen and Iseult. It spans the history of modern Ireland, from the 1950s where Declan and Sinéad meet. To the Celtic tiger where their business is booming, with some consequences.

I enjoyed this book, it was a nice story of family set with the backdrop of a changing Ireland. From time to time you are left wondering, between alcoholism, deaths, depression, loneliness and the like, can this family never just have a lucky break? Anyway this story was an interesting way of discussing Irish history and family life all in the one nice story.

The reason for the dropped stars is mostly due to what I said above, about how very few happy things happen to the point where it is almost unrealistic.

But on the whole, I enjoyed this book and thought it was a solid read.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won the book as part of a Good Reads giveaway and was really looking forward to reading it.

Although, the story is a 'panoramic portrait' (saga) following a family over a generation it wasn't in your traditional style. The story is told through a series of vignettes, providing glimpses of key points in the life of Declan Boyle and his wife and children.

Each 'mini story' is well written, but for me the style was challenging. A slightly more traditional style would have suited the tale, given the serious story telling. The story deserves 4 stars, but the style detracts from the over-arching story.

[Shu Zhen Cheong-Dinc]

Mount Merrion is about Declan and Sinead Boyle, both born into middle class society. It is a fascinating and gripping family saga and how they go through decades of success, failure and tragedy spanning through forty-odd years of Ireland's changing history. It described both personal dramas, the altering political landscape in Eastern and Central Europe and the rise and fall of a society.

This book is both beautifully written, easy to understand and a refreshing change from my usual choice to books.

I received this book for free through a GoodReads giveaway but only just got to finish the book. Thank you.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two generations of a family across 50 years, each decade capturing a very different moment in time. Wonderfully done - from a haunting opening scene in a hospital in rural Ireland in the 50s to boozy Celtic Tiger Dublin in the 90s via a russian tank driven around Prague at night. Moving, surprising, ambitious.

[Michael Seery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read and well written. I didn't really warm to any characters though, and felt the final third of the family saga let it down a bit. That said I liked its scope and I think it captured nicely a type of background of a family that got caught up in the Celtic tiger.

[Slávek Rydval · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ukázka života irské téměř smetánky v minulém století. Úděl žen, mužů a děti. Popis práce Západu s komunistickým režimem, problému s alkoholem a dospíváním. Doporučuji pro zájemce o irskou literaturu, běžný čtenář si může hvězdičku umyslet.

[Margaret Madden · Rating 4 out of 5]

See full review below
http://bleachhouselibrary.blogspot.ie...

[Jazz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read with lots of twists and turns along the way. a brilliant plot that left you wanting more, couldn't put it down!