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Children of the Famine #3
Fields of Home: Children of the Famine
The final book in the famine trilogy
For Eily, Michael and Peggy the memory of the famine is still strong. But Mary-Brigid, Eily's first child, has the future to look forward to. What kind of future is it?
Ireland is in turmoil, with evictions, burnings, secret meetings, fights over land. Eily and her family may be thrown off their farm. Michael may lose his job in the big house. And Peggy, in America, feels trapped in her role as a maid. Will they ever have land and a home they can call their own? Eily, Michael and Peggy have once shown great courage. Now this courage is called on again …
The other titles in the Famine trilogy are Under the Hawthorn Tree and Wildflower Girl. A study guide to Under the Hawthorn tree is also available.
For Eily, Michael and Peggy the memory of the famine is still strong. But Mary-Brigid, Eily's first child, has the future to look forward to. What kind of future is it?
Ireland is in turmoil, with evictions, burnings, secret meetings, fights over land. Eily and her family may be thrown off their farm. Michael may lose his job in the big house. And Peggy, in America, feels trapped in her role as a maid. Will they ever have land and a home they can call their own? Eily, Michael and Peggy have once shown great courage. Now this courage is called on again …
The other titles in the Famine trilogy are Under the Hawthorn Tree and Wildflower Girl. A study guide to Under the Hawthorn tree is also available.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 1996
45 people are currently reading
575 people want to read
About the author
Marita Conlon-McKenna
30 books220 followersBorn in Dublin in 1956 and brought up in Goatstown, Marita went to school at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Mount Anville, later working in the family business, the bank, and a travel agency. She has four children with her husband James, and they live in the Stillorgan area of Dublin.
Marita was always fascinated by the Famine period in Irish history and read everything available on the subject. When she heard a radio report of an unmarked children's grave from the Famine period being found under a hawthorn tree, she decided to write her first book, Under the Hawthorn Tree.
Published in May 1990, the book was an immediate success and become a classic. It has been translated into over a dozen languages, including Arabic, Bahasa, French, Dutch, German, Swedish, Italian, Japanese and Irish. The book has been read on RTÉ Radio and is very popular in schools, both with teachers and pupils. It has been made a supplementary curriculum reader in many schools and is also used by schools in Northern Ireland for EMU (Education through Mutual Understanding) projects. It was also filmed by Young Irish Film Makers, in association with RTÉ and Channel 4. This is available as a DVD.
Marita has written more books for children which were also very well received. The Blue Horse reached No. 1 on the Bestseller List and won the BISTO BOOK OF THE YEAR Award. No Goodbye, which tells of the heartbreak of a young family when their mother leaves home, was recommended by Book Trust in their guide for One Parent Families. Safe Harbour is the story of two English children evacuated from London during World War ll to live with their grandfather in Greystones, Co Wicklow and was shortlisted for the BISTO Book of the Year Award. A Girl Called Blue follows the life of an orphan, trying to find who she really is in a cold and strict orphanage. Marita has also explored the world of fantasy with her book In Deep Dark Wood.
Marita has won several awards, including the International Reading Association Award, the Osterreichischer Kinder und Jugendbuchpreis, the Reading Association of Ireland Award and the Bisto Book of the Year Award.
Marita was always fascinated by the Famine period in Irish history and read everything available on the subject. When she heard a radio report of an unmarked children's grave from the Famine period being found under a hawthorn tree, she decided to write her first book, Under the Hawthorn Tree.
Published in May 1990, the book was an immediate success and become a classic. It has been translated into over a dozen languages, including Arabic, Bahasa, French, Dutch, German, Swedish, Italian, Japanese and Irish. The book has been read on RTÉ Radio and is very popular in schools, both with teachers and pupils. It has been made a supplementary curriculum reader in many schools and is also used by schools in Northern Ireland for EMU (Education through Mutual Understanding) projects. It was also filmed by Young Irish Film Makers, in association with RTÉ and Channel 4. This is available as a DVD.
Marita has written more books for children which were also very well received. The Blue Horse reached No. 1 on the Bestseller List and won the BISTO BOOK OF THE YEAR Award. No Goodbye, which tells of the heartbreak of a young family when their mother leaves home, was recommended by Book Trust in their guide for One Parent Families. Safe Harbour is the story of two English children evacuated from London during World War ll to live with their grandfather in Greystones, Co Wicklow and was shortlisted for the BISTO Book of the Year Award. A Girl Called Blue follows the life of an orphan, trying to find who she really is in a cold and strict orphanage. Marita has also explored the world of fantasy with her book In Deep Dark Wood.
Marita has won several awards, including the International Reading Association Award, the Osterreichischer Kinder und Jugendbuchpreis, the Reading Association of Ireland Award and the Bisto Book of the Year Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
April 28, 2018
Read by Caroline Lennon
Book: 4.5/5 stars
Narration: 5/5 stars
Fields of Home is the last book in the Under the Hawthorn Trilogy and the children from the original novel are now all grown up. Peggy is still making her way as a housemaid in America but is starting to think more about her long-term future, Michael is content in the ‘Big House’ working with the horses but soon a tragedy will tear his plans to pieces, and Eily is now a mother of two and worrying about raising rent prices and being able to keep a roof over her family’s heads and food on the table.
As usual, this was a really well-told book about points in Irish history that is so accessible to children but a really worthwhile read for adults as well. I loved the different world views in this book from each member of the family, as they are all in such different places in their lives but all struggling in one way or another.
I have a massive soft spot for Peggy, and I had forgotten what became of her as it’s been a very long time since I read this book but I loved being reminded of her happy ending, which is one of the best things about this trilogy - because it’s aimed at kids, the endings are normally wrapped up really well and happy.
I loved Michael with the horses and I did enjoy seeing the relationship the English landlord had with his staff, and that it was a good one. It’s good to show that not every landlord was a bad one, and some were decent to their tenants and staff but sometimes history and bad memories still ended up punishing them.
Eily’s was probably the story that was most focused on actual historic happenings, and I feel like her despair and panic were really portrayed well in this book about their rent being raised and getting evicted (I do think, for me, she became a bit hysterical at times and it annoyed me because she had been so strong in Under the Hawthorn Tree and I didn’t like seeing her so over the top).
I really enjoyed listening to these on audiobook and really recommend Caroline Lennon as a narrator as she did an excellent job.
Book: 4.5/5 stars
Narration: 5/5 stars
Fields of Home is the last book in the Under the Hawthorn Trilogy and the children from the original novel are now all grown up. Peggy is still making her way as a housemaid in America but is starting to think more about her long-term future, Michael is content in the ‘Big House’ working with the horses but soon a tragedy will tear his plans to pieces, and Eily is now a mother of two and worrying about raising rent prices and being able to keep a roof over her family’s heads and food on the table.
As usual, this was a really well-told book about points in Irish history that is so accessible to children but a really worthwhile read for adults as well. I loved the different world views in this book from each member of the family, as they are all in such different places in their lives but all struggling in one way or another.
I have a massive soft spot for Peggy, and I had forgotten what became of her as it’s been a very long time since I read this book but I loved being reminded of her happy ending, which is one of the best things about this trilogy - because it’s aimed at kids, the endings are normally wrapped up really well and happy.
I loved Michael with the horses and I did enjoy seeing the relationship the English landlord had with his staff, and that it was a good one. It’s good to show that not every landlord was a bad one, and some were decent to their tenants and staff but sometimes history and bad memories still ended up punishing them.
Eily’s was probably the story that was most focused on actual historic happenings, and I feel like her despair and panic were really portrayed well in this book about their rent being raised and getting evicted (I do think, for me, she became a bit hysterical at times and it annoyed me because she had been so strong in Under the Hawthorn Tree and I didn’t like seeing her so over the top).
I really enjoyed listening to these on audiobook and really recommend Caroline Lennon as a narrator as she did an excellent job.
January 2, 2019
به جرئت می تونم بگم که از بهترین کتابهایی بود که تا به حال خوندم.
تصویرپردازی هاش فوق العاده قوی بودن و همه چیز کتاب کاملا ملموس و واقعی بود، حتی برای فردی مثل من که نه با فرهنگ شخصیت ها آشنایی داره و نه با وضع زندگیشون.
تصویرپردازی هاش فوق العاده قوی بودن و همه چیز کتاب کاملا ملموس و واقعی بود، حتی برای فردی مثل من که نه با فرهنگ شخصیت ها آشنایی داره و نه با وضع زندگیشون.
October 27, 2014
The finale of the trilogy. It was an amazing time in my childhood and I cherish these books.
Go read this series!
Go read this series!
September 28, 2018
I wish these books were movies, all the dramatic scenes in this book I just kept thinking how great they would all look on the big screen.
This book made me so happy and proud to be Irish. I was so glad to be able to read about all three of the O'Driscoll children. This book made me bawl and laugh and giggle because it was so cute.
Such a great series, so much happened in this book it was fantastic. So so so good and action filled.
So glad I finally read this book and this series. The series got better with every book, which is so rare. It definitely finished on a high. The last chapter is so beautiful and simple but poignant and so important to Irish history. This book puts real people to the things I learned about in history class, allowing me to fully step into their shoes and imagine how hard times were.
10/10 would recommend everyone to read this series!
This book made me so happy and proud to be Irish. I was so glad to be able to read about all three of the O'Driscoll children. This book made me bawl and laugh and giggle because it was so cute.
Such a great series, so much happened in this book it was fantastic. So so so good and action filled.
So glad I finally read this book and this series. The series got better with every book, which is so rare. It definitely finished on a high. The last chapter is so beautiful and simple but poignant and so important to Irish history. This book puts real people to the things I learned about in history class, allowing me to fully step into their shoes and imagine how hard times were.
10/10 would recommend everyone to read this series!
September 28, 2014
The 3rd and last book of The Children of the Famine series, this story was, not surprisingly, well written, interesting and quick to read. It's fun to see how the cast of characters you're introduced to in a previous book grow up and find happiness.
October 5, 2024
Such an endearing children's trilogy.. one of the only examples I have of fiction set during an Gorta Mór in Ireland. Was brilliant as a child and still slaps.
January 29, 2022
The conclusion of a wonderful trilogy which is simply a textbook example of how historical fiction for children ought to be written. We see Eily, Michael and Peggy in their new lives as young adults: Eily as a mother, Michael working in the stables of a big country house and Peggy still in America. I was delighted that Conlon-McKenna very much maintains focus on the characters we know and love, rather than switching down to the new children’s perspective.
With the directions the characters’ lives have taken, we see such a broad sweep of society through their three differing experiences. There’s the unfair treatment of tenant farmers, helpless against the unfair hikes in rent; the vulnerability of service staff to tragedy and changing times; and the continuing loneliness and difficulty of emigrant life in America. We also see the siblings’ continued love for one another, their courage and creativity in the face of challenges.
I wish I’d read these as a child because I know they would have been real favourites. Nonetheless, these are still wonderful reads as an adult and I look forward to reading more of Conlon-McKenna’s work.
With the directions the characters’ lives have taken, we see such a broad sweep of society through their three differing experiences. There’s the unfair treatment of tenant farmers, helpless against the unfair hikes in rent; the vulnerability of service staff to tragedy and changing times; and the continuing loneliness and difficulty of emigrant life in America. We also see the siblings’ continued love for one another, their courage and creativity in the face of challenges.
I wish I’d read these as a child because I know they would have been real favourites. Nonetheless, these are still wonderful reads as an adult and I look forward to reading more of Conlon-McKenna’s work.
January 9, 2012
This is the final book in the 'Children of the Famine' series by Marita Conlon-McKenna. It is a heartfelt Irish historical novel which continues the story of Eily, Michael and Peggy who are now grown-up and struggling to make ends meet in the post-famine years. Peggy is still working as a kitchen maid in Boston, Michael is a young jockey and stable-hand who runs the stables of an English landlord and Eily, married with two children struggles to pay the rent on the small holding that her husband John farms. The economic situation at the time is grim and there is talk of forthcoming trouble in the air. Many unhappy tenants wish to rise against extortionist rents being imposed by cretinous and greedy landlords. Evictions are rife and Eily and her brood fear for their future when they receive notice that their rent has been doubled. Michael also falls upon hard times when his boss' estate is set alight by revengeful tenants and he is left homeless and jobless. Peggy's life in America is simultaneously going through change; many of her friends are leaving Boston in search of their fortune and she once again finds herself alone and missing Ireland. The book expertly captures the feelings in the hearts and minds of the central characters and the author's focus on the character Mary Brigid, Eily's daughter particularly helps us to understand the anxiety and worry felt by people during this time. Similarly the detailed descriptions contained in the book aid our vision of the setting. Delightfully, the book ends on a positive note, ending a trilogy of books which accurately encapsulate a particular era of history. This book is suitable for children aged 10+.
August 22, 2022
This review is 100% my own opinion!
I had never read Fields of Home as a child so I’m glad I finally got round to finishing the series and despite this being my least favourite book in the trilogy, I do feel it was a solid finale. There were a few scenes that were quite difficult to read, even as an adult - such as the fire, families being evicted from their homes and the fight John was involved in. I did learn a lot more about political turmoil in Ireland and the challenges of packing up and moving across America. We basically follow Eily and her family as they work to survive, Michael as he works as a stable boy and learns about his talents in managing horses, and Peggy as she works and settles down more in America.
I think my rating dropped a bit for this book as I felt at times we were just told things rather than feeling immersed in the story. I noticed it a lot in Fields of Home compared to the other books which made the writing a bit jarring in my opinion. I also felt the ending was a bit rushed and sudden but it was nice to have a happier ending. So overall, I do feel this was an informative book and a lot can be learnt from it - it just wasn’t my favourite in the series.
I had never read Fields of Home as a child so I’m glad I finally got round to finishing the series and despite this being my least favourite book in the trilogy, I do feel it was a solid finale. There were a few scenes that were quite difficult to read, even as an adult - such as the fire, families being evicted from their homes and the fight John was involved in. I did learn a lot more about political turmoil in Ireland and the challenges of packing up and moving across America. We basically follow Eily and her family as they work to survive, Michael as he works as a stable boy and learns about his talents in managing horses, and Peggy as she works and settles down more in America.
I think my rating dropped a bit for this book as I felt at times we were just told things rather than feeling immersed in the story. I noticed it a lot in Fields of Home compared to the other books which made the writing a bit jarring in my opinion. I also felt the ending was a bit rushed and sudden but it was nice to have a happier ending. So overall, I do feel this was an informative book and a lot can be learnt from it - it just wasn’t my favourite in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2020
Fields of Home is my favourite book in the series, and as far as I'm concerned, a book written for adults about children, who are no longer children.
Six or seven years have passed, and the children have grown up. Peggy, the youngest, is around 19 and she is still working as a maid. Michael is still a stable boy in the Great House in Ireland. Eily is married with two children of her own and living on a farm with her husband and Great Aunt Nano.
While the story has heartbreak and struggling, hope is strong, and the siblings still show signs of strength. The story is told from all three points-of-view. We see how the carpet is pulled out from beneath all of them and then witness how they pull their lives back together. The siblings help each other even though they have barely anything to give. It warmed my heart to read this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it for so many reasons, but the most important is love.
Recommended.
Six or seven years have passed, and the children have grown up. Peggy, the youngest, is around 19 and she is still working as a maid. Michael is still a stable boy in the Great House in Ireland. Eily is married with two children of her own and living on a farm with her husband and Great Aunt Nano.
While the story has heartbreak and struggling, hope is strong, and the siblings still show signs of strength. The story is told from all three points-of-view. We see how the carpet is pulled out from beneath all of them and then witness how they pull their lives back together. The siblings help each other even though they have barely anything to give. It warmed my heart to read this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it for so many reasons, but the most important is love.
Recommended.
January 27, 2018
This was most certainly my favourite from the Children of the Famine trilogy. I honestly think that Fields of Home could have easily have been a full length novel. There was so much that could have been explored and expanded upon. The ending was merely a beginning.
What I loved about this series and Conlon-McKenna's writing is that the story gives you everything that you need to know without over-furnishing. My imagination easily filled in the blanks and I was more than satisfied with what the text gave me.
Fields of Home struck the perfect balance between Eily, Michael and Peggy and their storylines. Even though Peggy isn't featured as much, it's still the perfect amount. I loved reading this trilogy again after so many years.
What I loved about this series and Conlon-McKenna's writing is that the story gives you everything that you need to know without over-furnishing. My imagination easily filled in the blanks and I was more than satisfied with what the text gave me.
Fields of Home struck the perfect balance between Eily, Michael and Peggy and their storylines. Even though Peggy isn't featured as much, it's still the perfect amount. I loved reading this trilogy again after so many years.
July 7, 2024
Summary:
Ireland is in turmoil once again & the Irish people (which includes Eily’s young family) are now victims of tenant farming. Eily fears that they will all face eviction. Michael fears that he will lose his job as a stableboy at the big house. And in America, Peggy feels trapped in her position as a maid. Will the siblings ever reunite? Will they ever own their own land & have a place they can call their own?
My Thoughts:
The Children of the Famine trilogy is a beautifully crafted series which educates Irish children about their history & help them to really connect with what occurred back in the 1840’s-1850’s.
My Rating: * * * *
Ireland is in turmoil once again & the Irish people (which includes Eily’s young family) are now victims of tenant farming. Eily fears that they will all face eviction. Michael fears that he will lose his job as a stableboy at the big house. And in America, Peggy feels trapped in her position as a maid. Will the siblings ever reunite? Will they ever own their own land & have a place they can call their own?
My Thoughts:
The Children of the Famine trilogy is a beautifully crafted series which educates Irish children about their history & help them to really connect with what occurred back in the 1840’s-1850’s.
My Rating: * * * *
June 8, 2025
I hadn't read this one before and I think it's probably my fave one now. It's about the Land War and how the English landowners were squeezing the Irish tenant farmers by the ballz. Simultaneously Peggy and the Connollys are about to set off to acquire some land in the wild wild west USA or something.
Like the first book, it touches on parts of Irish history in a decomplexified way. The tone isn't quite 'Get yer Brits out' and it's can seem a bit, 'Let's go kill some foxes.' It's fine though. I wish I'd read this alongside learning about the Land War in history class. It's a cool way to access it. Good Job Marita!
Like the first book, it touches on parts of Irish history in a decomplexified way. The tone isn't quite 'Get yer Brits out' and it's can seem a bit, 'Let's go kill some foxes.' It's fine though. I wish I'd read this alongside learning about the Land War in history class. It's a cool way to access it. Good Job Marita!
August 2, 2018
I couldn't put this book down! I've loved each book in this series. The first was obviously the hardest to read, but they got easier each time. I love the charcters in this book. Michael and Peggy's stories are so captivating and I felt as if I were right there with them. What a beautiful conclusion to their stories.
August 31, 2020
Perfect end to the trilogy.
I really liked that it wrapped up everyone's story.
Boy, chunks of it had me so heated (down with landlords!) but I felt- I felt so proud of these children and what they made of themselves, and the wonderful people they all grew into.
And those few final paragraphs... what a powerful, emotional note to end on.
I really liked that it wrapped up everyone's story.
Boy, chunks of it had me so heated (down with landlords!) but I felt- I felt so proud of these children and what they made of themselves, and the wonderful people they all grew into.
And those few final paragraphs... what a powerful, emotional note to end on.
August 28, 2024
So sad to be finishing this 3 part series! I really enjoyed learning about my ancestors and all the struggles they’ve endured and never gave up. Really interesting books and easy to read. The end was just beautiful - Peggy getting married and staying will her best friend in America, and Michael and Eily reunited and buying their house!
November 12, 2024
Like the others in the series, Fields of Home is a wonderful book depicting the trials and tribulations of 3 youngsters after the Potato Famine. It is wonderful reading about Peggy, Eily and Michael, and how life has turned out for them. I thoroughly enjoyed this series of books and recommend them to everyone, young and old.
December 29, 2024
My preference order for the trilogy is similar to the series order, as Under The Hawthorne Tree is the favorite, next The Wildflower Girl, and third Fields of Home. I feel the third one needed to be a bit longer to give enough space for each of the three main characters. An engaging, informative trilogy.
May 16, 2019
I loved this trilogy. I loved the story it tells and how the characters grow with each book. I read these about 15 years ago and I really enjoyed them, enough to buy them all again. I really formed such an attachment to all characters and was grateful for their happy endings.
August 29, 2022
I read this to Sophie - she gives it 4.5 stars.
She loved this trilogy so much that she reread the first and second books while I was reading this one to her.
She has also chosen another of the authors books for us to start tomorrow night!
She loved this trilogy so much that she reread the first and second books while I was reading this one to her.
She has also chosen another of the authors books for us to start tomorrow night!
April 7, 2023
To be honest. You don’t need to read this book. I didn’t feel like I learnt anything new from it only the characters relationships (romantically) a 4th book would be ideal for closure since this one didn’t have a satisfyingly fur-filled ending
May 21, 2023
This completes the trilogy of Children of the Famine. Well told story about the Irish tenants who did not immigrate and the tensions that arose between them and their landlords who were usually British. Good read meant for juveniles.
June 17, 2024
A bit melodramatic but covering a few sides of experience as an Irish person both in Ireland and an immigrant in USA. Some bits felt a bit rushed but mainly a grand story if a but traumatic for the readership age especially animal lovers.
May 11, 2025
Very good, the trilogy did highlight different trials of the famine as it wasn’t just the initial infections etc. It follows this family and how society impacts them too at different stages. It’s a brilliant trilogy and a great depiction of a difficult time in history. I believe everyone should read these three books.
November 26, 2017
A beautiful way to end this trilogy. It was a story with family. If you haven't read my Wildflower Girl review, go read it. READ THIS TRILOGY IT WAS AMAZING!!
August 8, 2020
I read the famine trilogy again as an adult over this last week, and the books have lived up to my memories of them. Heartbreaking and beautiful.
September 3, 2020
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May 2, 2021I think this was my favourite from the series. I really liked Michael with his horses, and was happy for Peggy and her new adventures.
May 20, 2021
I ADORE all three of these books the characters are so sweet and I love how there story’s played out!
August 2, 2021
I loved this book it was such an easy read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews