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Hannie Rising
Mickey Enright isn’t ready to be dead. His life on earth has been more than satisfactory. He is an icon in Tralee, a “typical Kerryman,” an easy-going, life-of-the-party jokester, a man’s man, a decent, although unexceptional, provider who took for granted the faithfulness of his wife, the love of his children, Kerry football, and a few pints with the lads in Betty’s Pub on Rock Street. Convinced there has been a mistake, he demands another chance at mortality. St. Peter, with an agenda of his own, sends Mickey back to Tralee… as a stranger. Meanwhile, Hannie, Mickey’s widow, has begun to resurface from her loss and celebrate her freedom. She has also learned a thing or two about her late husband, enough to convince her that life after marriage might be more satisfying than it was during. Mickey, his original purpose to win back a few more years of his former life, finds himself in the unique position of attempting to court his wife, a woman he believes holds no surprises for him and, in so doing, learns a thing or two about Hannie and even more about himself.
435 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2013
About the author
Jeanette Baker
22 books84 followersI love all things Irish, the language, a good cup of tea, soda bread, stew, smoked salmon, banoffee pie, green hills, happy cows, chedder cheese,... and all things Southern, sweet iced tea, southern hospitality, everything written by Anne Rivers Siddons and Johanna Trollope, blazing sunsets, driving through hot desert nights with the windows open, coffee and conversation with good friends, Katherine Hepburn movies, dessert, intimate gatherings and bright breezy days.
I live in Southern California during the winter months where I teach school to remarkably well-behaved 6th graders. During the summer months I live in County Kerry, Ireland where I take long walks, listen to traditional music, sigh over gray skies and write, write, write.
I live in Southern California during the winter months where I teach school to remarkably well-behaved 6th graders. During the summer months I live in County Kerry, Ireland where I take long walks, listen to traditional music, sigh over gray skies and write, write, write.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 21, 2013
5 OUTSTANDING and REFRESHING Stars
I had forgotten how easily it is to get lost in one of Jeanette Baker’s books. Hannie Rising is a wonderfully refreshing story by an author I've followed for years. Ms. Baker writes beautiful and colorful stories set in Ireland or surrounding Irish culture. Over the years, there have been some truly exceptional stories, but I must say this one is certainly among her best. Highly recommend.
Mickey Enright’s death came much too soon. He wasn’t really prepared or ready -- but then again, who really ever is? Sometimes we don’t realize or give credit to what we have until it’s gone. There’s no taking back the wrongs we’ve committed or the unkind words we’ve spoken. But what if, by some miracle or stroke of luck, we could get that second chance at a “redo”? Since the synopsis for this book is generous and intriguing enough, I don't feel any further summation of the story here is necessary and would only diminish the joy you’ll find in reading this one for yourself.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the incredible journey to Ireland and the small town of Tralee. Jeanette Baker paints a picture so vividly alive and real. Here we meet a delightful assortment of characters that come to life on each page. Our senses are immediately filled with the heat from a warm and cozy fire, the chill of a rainy day, breathtaking scenery on a glorious countryside, and the sounds of hearty laughter and conversations between the friends and neighbors visiting their town's friendly Irish pub.
There’s a magic in this author’s skill with words for creating special connections between people making each encounter unforgettable. The manner in which she chose to tell the story by giving voice to different characters in each chapter was masterful. The dialogue is outstanding, the characters relatable to all of us, and the story well-written and excellent to read . . . exactly what kept me hooked and captivated from start to finish.
I had forgotten how easily it is to get lost in one of Jeanette Baker’s books. Hannie Rising is a wonderfully refreshing story by an author I've followed for years. Ms. Baker writes beautiful and colorful stories set in Ireland or surrounding Irish culture. Over the years, there have been some truly exceptional stories, but I must say this one is certainly among her best. Highly recommend.
Mickey Enright’s death came much too soon. He wasn’t really prepared or ready -- but then again, who really ever is? Sometimes we don’t realize or give credit to what we have until it’s gone. There’s no taking back the wrongs we’ve committed or the unkind words we’ve spoken. But what if, by some miracle or stroke of luck, we could get that second chance at a “redo”? Since the synopsis for this book is generous and intriguing enough, I don't feel any further summation of the story here is necessary and would only diminish the joy you’ll find in reading this one for yourself.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the incredible journey to Ireland and the small town of Tralee. Jeanette Baker paints a picture so vividly alive and real. Here we meet a delightful assortment of characters that come to life on each page. Our senses are immediately filled with the heat from a warm and cozy fire, the chill of a rainy day, breathtaking scenery on a glorious countryside, and the sounds of hearty laughter and conversations between the friends and neighbors visiting their town's friendly Irish pub.
There’s a magic in this author’s skill with words for creating special connections between people making each encounter unforgettable. The manner in which she chose to tell the story by giving voice to different characters in each chapter was masterful. The dialogue is outstanding, the characters relatable to all of us, and the story well-written and excellent to read . . . exactly what kept me hooked and captivated from start to finish.
January 11, 2014
Original review found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
I have mixed emotions when it comes to this book. Basically it is about a family as they struggle through life after the death of their husband/father. He is sent back in the form of another man to make amends and right the wrongs from his time on earth before he moves on to his final destination. Sound good?? That's what I thought and was excited to read how it would all play out.
The entire book moved slowly and at times it was a little too slow for my liking. It alternated between Mikey, his wife Hannie, their son Liam, daughter Kate and his mother in law Dolly. Each one of them is struggling with their life and find themselves in limbo. All of them find themselves back in Hannie's home after she is just starting to get use to living her life and enjoying it on her own. Mikey then comes back as Patrick and enters their lives. Here is where I struggled a little bit. Considering he was suppose to be finding a way to help his former family, he wasn't really in the story a whole lot. When he was, he was always coming up with great words of wisdom and advice for the struggling family. Where did that come from? Was it because he was dead that he was suddenly so knowledgeable and wise? It just seemed a little too neat and tidy and a tad bit unbelievable. The story just fell a little short.
I enjoyed reading the progress that each family member made throughout the book but I have to admit that there were times that I found most of them, with the exception of Dolly, rather annoying. I believe it was the intent of the author to show the selfishness of the characters but I still found it a bit much. It was hard to connect with any of them because of it.
In the end it was an OK read for me but I didn't love it. The concept was good but the story could have been a whole lot more.
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
I have mixed emotions when it comes to this book. Basically it is about a family as they struggle through life after the death of their husband/father. He is sent back in the form of another man to make amends and right the wrongs from his time on earth before he moves on to his final destination. Sound good?? That's what I thought and was excited to read how it would all play out.
The entire book moved slowly and at times it was a little too slow for my liking. It alternated between Mikey, his wife Hannie, their son Liam, daughter Kate and his mother in law Dolly. Each one of them is struggling with their life and find themselves in limbo. All of them find themselves back in Hannie's home after she is just starting to get use to living her life and enjoying it on her own. Mikey then comes back as Patrick and enters their lives. Here is where I struggled a little bit. Considering he was suppose to be finding a way to help his former family, he wasn't really in the story a whole lot. When he was, he was always coming up with great words of wisdom and advice for the struggling family. Where did that come from? Was it because he was dead that he was suddenly so knowledgeable and wise? It just seemed a little too neat and tidy and a tad bit unbelievable. The story just fell a little short.
I enjoyed reading the progress that each family member made throughout the book but I have to admit that there were times that I found most of them, with the exception of Dolly, rather annoying. I believe it was the intent of the author to show the selfishness of the characters but I still found it a bit much. It was hard to connect with any of them because of it.
In the end it was an OK read for me but I didn't love it. The concept was good but the story could have been a whole lot more.
March 22, 2014
I received a free kindle copy of Hannie Rising by Jeanette Baker. The book had a running start with a solid hook. I gave it five stars.
"It occurred to Mickey that he was the only one there who wasn't a medical professional and that his presence in the room was odd. But no one else seemed to mind or even to acknowledge him at all and curiosity had gotten the better of him, so he continued to look.
* * *
"No pulse or heartbeat. He's coding." Doctor Dougherty, his voice clear and calm, called out instructions as he positioned one hand over the other on the patient's chest, pushing hard and fast, thirty compressions to two breaths. He stopped to check the rhythm. "Set up an IV, pull up his medical history and charge to 200."
Marie Sullivan left the room. Mickey was sorry to see her go. She really was very attractive.
Kitty handed the doctor the paddles. "Stand clear," he called out, spreading his arms. "Stand clear."
It has my attention & I'm turning the pages with eagerness.
I love this page turning book. Here's just a bit more.
Johannah had been weeping about Mickey for weeks now. "Always looking on the bright side. Is that what people said about her? It wasn't how she saw herself at all. More like pathetic, lonely and irreparably saddened, a woman crippled by a too early loss, a woman completely unprepared to move forward on her own. Tears sprang into her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. She didn't bother to brush them away."
Kate, Johannah's daughter lived in an apartment above the hardware store where she worked for her husband's parents. The apartment is cramped & inconvenient. "The bathroom was so cramped there was no need for a lock on the door. All she had to do was sit on the toilet in the natural position. One knee, the left one, and the corresponding forearm would be involuntarily pressed up against the door so tightly there was no possibility of anyone surprising her in the act." She's a bitterly unhappy woman who needs a change.
Liam, Johannah's son & Kate's brother is also missing Mickey, his father. "Lord, how he missed his dad. His father understood him as no one else ever could."
He's out of work with credit card payments due & approaching his mother for help "His mother's words came back to him. An education is never wasted. No one can take it from you. He saw the merit in acquiring a body of knowledge necessary enough to society to command a decent income." His planned lifestyle had not worked out.
Liam & Kate were both coming over for dinner & to ask Johanna something. "Her mind raced. Oh God. Why me? Why did other people's children find jobs, move out, marry suitable people, take out mortgages and settle down to raise families? Why were her offspring incapable of managing the business of living? Liam was twenty-six years old."
He wants to move back home with his mother. "Her dream of a craft room where the sewing machine could be left out with bolts of fabric strewn about, magazines open to pages she would get back to when she had the time and books stacked by a deep and comfortable, albeit shabby, chair that should have seen the rubbish heap years ago, was disappearing by the second."
Kate arrives thirty minutes late since her husband Dermot had forgotten he needed to babysit their child Evan. She had to call a pub to find him. "She surveyed the lamb chops. "You didn't add too much salt, did you, Mom? You do remember what I told you about salt?" Johannah's smile was a bit forced. If only Kate had found a job in her field. Perhaps, if she planned meals during the day, she would be less critical of her family's choices at home.
"I remember," was all she said."
I remained eager to read this fast moving book. It kept my attention from start to finish.
Johannah told Kate: "We thought you'd married too soon. Your father tried to make you wait." "I know," Kate replied woodenly. "You were right then. You're still right. You're always right and no, there's no point in reminding me."
Johannah is reviewing her life & usefulness in the family. She comes up short.
"She was good for bandaging skinned knees, helping with schoolwork, reading bedtime stories, bathing, cooking, washing, all the practical, unexciting needs that no one, when all was said and done , appreciated, or even remembered."
When she kept her grandson Evan, she was worn out. "There was no sugar-coating it. Evan wore her out. The child was indulged, the result of a permissive father and an exhausted, apparently resentful mother."
Johannah interacts with Dermot, Kate's estranged spouse. "On impulse, Johannah wasn't big on physical demonstrations of affection, she hugged Dermot fiercely and then turned away, hurrying down the street, her handbag hitched over her shoulder, her eyes blind with angry tears."
She realized in her job as a social worker that many of the houses she visited were alike. "she knocked on the door of the Sullivan house, a typical, two-story, connected council house, one that looked exactly like a hundred others on the Mary Street side of town.'
Dolly Little, Johannah's mother is in court because her dog Seamus supposedly bit a neighbor's dog. This exchange took place with the judge in the case. ""The Costelloes don't like me and they've never liked Seamus." "It isn't difficult to imagine why," the Judge said under his breath."
When Liam was complaining about having to entertain Dolly, his grandmother, Johannah had stopped listening. She wondered when her son had lost his appeal to her. When he changed from an adorable child to this man who was a stranger.
'She struggled to love him. He was her son. There was no alternative but to love him, but should it be a struggle?'
Liam looked at his mother with affection: "It was those dark places under her eyes, that fragile determination in the face of whatever life tossed her way, her desire to make everyone around her content if not happy and that desperate optimism that wouldn't fold no matter what adversity fell directly on top of her that made him grind his teeth and kick himself.'
When Johannah was attempting to convince Dolly of the reasons she needed to move in with her Dolly responded abruptly. ""It will be lovely seeing each other every day, don't you think?" "When have we ever seen each other every day?" Dolly snapped. "What makes you think I want to see you every day?" Johannah recoiled as if she'd been slapped. "I just thought—"
Dolly has Alzheimers. She has intervals of lucidity & intervals where she's lost & confused.
A discussion with Mickey spells out the duties of life. "You must help them realize that growth comes through challenge, the facing and the overcoming. You must encourage them to do something, anything, toward the change that is necessary for personal fulfillment. Easy has nothing to do with it. Easy is a wastrel's wish.'
Can there be peace in the Enright household with all the different personalities under one roof? Can Johannah find comfort or love with another man?
This well written, page turning book held my attention. I look forward to a possible sequel.
Link to purchase: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H...
"It occurred to Mickey that he was the only one there who wasn't a medical professional and that his presence in the room was odd. But no one else seemed to mind or even to acknowledge him at all and curiosity had gotten the better of him, so he continued to look.
* * *
"No pulse or heartbeat. He's coding." Doctor Dougherty, his voice clear and calm, called out instructions as he positioned one hand over the other on the patient's chest, pushing hard and fast, thirty compressions to two breaths. He stopped to check the rhythm. "Set up an IV, pull up his medical history and charge to 200."
Marie Sullivan left the room. Mickey was sorry to see her go. She really was very attractive.
Kitty handed the doctor the paddles. "Stand clear," he called out, spreading his arms. "Stand clear."
It has my attention & I'm turning the pages with eagerness.
I love this page turning book. Here's just a bit more.
Johannah had been weeping about Mickey for weeks now. "Always looking on the bright side. Is that what people said about her? It wasn't how she saw herself at all. More like pathetic, lonely and irreparably saddened, a woman crippled by a too early loss, a woman completely unprepared to move forward on her own. Tears sprang into her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. She didn't bother to brush them away."
Kate, Johannah's daughter lived in an apartment above the hardware store where she worked for her husband's parents. The apartment is cramped & inconvenient. "The bathroom was so cramped there was no need for a lock on the door. All she had to do was sit on the toilet in the natural position. One knee, the left one, and the corresponding forearm would be involuntarily pressed up against the door so tightly there was no possibility of anyone surprising her in the act." She's a bitterly unhappy woman who needs a change.
Liam, Johannah's son & Kate's brother is also missing Mickey, his father. "Lord, how he missed his dad. His father understood him as no one else ever could."
He's out of work with credit card payments due & approaching his mother for help "His mother's words came back to him. An education is never wasted. No one can take it from you. He saw the merit in acquiring a body of knowledge necessary enough to society to command a decent income." His planned lifestyle had not worked out.
Liam & Kate were both coming over for dinner & to ask Johanna something. "Her mind raced. Oh God. Why me? Why did other people's children find jobs, move out, marry suitable people, take out mortgages and settle down to raise families? Why were her offspring incapable of managing the business of living? Liam was twenty-six years old."
He wants to move back home with his mother. "Her dream of a craft room where the sewing machine could be left out with bolts of fabric strewn about, magazines open to pages she would get back to when she had the time and books stacked by a deep and comfortable, albeit shabby, chair that should have seen the rubbish heap years ago, was disappearing by the second."
Kate arrives thirty minutes late since her husband Dermot had forgotten he needed to babysit their child Evan. She had to call a pub to find him. "She surveyed the lamb chops. "You didn't add too much salt, did you, Mom? You do remember what I told you about salt?" Johannah's smile was a bit forced. If only Kate had found a job in her field. Perhaps, if she planned meals during the day, she would be less critical of her family's choices at home.
"I remember," was all she said."
I remained eager to read this fast moving book. It kept my attention from start to finish.
Johannah told Kate: "We thought you'd married too soon. Your father tried to make you wait." "I know," Kate replied woodenly. "You were right then. You're still right. You're always right and no, there's no point in reminding me."
Johannah is reviewing her life & usefulness in the family. She comes up short.
"She was good for bandaging skinned knees, helping with schoolwork, reading bedtime stories, bathing, cooking, washing, all the practical, unexciting needs that no one, when all was said and done , appreciated, or even remembered."
When she kept her grandson Evan, she was worn out. "There was no sugar-coating it. Evan wore her out. The child was indulged, the result of a permissive father and an exhausted, apparently resentful mother."
Johannah interacts with Dermot, Kate's estranged spouse. "On impulse, Johannah wasn't big on physical demonstrations of affection, she hugged Dermot fiercely and then turned away, hurrying down the street, her handbag hitched over her shoulder, her eyes blind with angry tears."
She realized in her job as a social worker that many of the houses she visited were alike. "she knocked on the door of the Sullivan house, a typical, two-story, connected council house, one that looked exactly like a hundred others on the Mary Street side of town.'
Dolly Little, Johannah's mother is in court because her dog Seamus supposedly bit a neighbor's dog. This exchange took place with the judge in the case. ""The Costelloes don't like me and they've never liked Seamus." "It isn't difficult to imagine why," the Judge said under his breath."
When Liam was complaining about having to entertain Dolly, his grandmother, Johannah had stopped listening. She wondered when her son had lost his appeal to her. When he changed from an adorable child to this man who was a stranger.
'She struggled to love him. He was her son. There was no alternative but to love him, but should it be a struggle?'
Liam looked at his mother with affection: "It was those dark places under her eyes, that fragile determination in the face of whatever life tossed her way, her desire to make everyone around her content if not happy and that desperate optimism that wouldn't fold no matter what adversity fell directly on top of her that made him grind his teeth and kick himself.'
When Johannah was attempting to convince Dolly of the reasons she needed to move in with her Dolly responded abruptly. ""It will be lovely seeing each other every day, don't you think?" "When have we ever seen each other every day?" Dolly snapped. "What makes you think I want to see you every day?" Johannah recoiled as if she'd been slapped. "I just thought—"
Dolly has Alzheimers. She has intervals of lucidity & intervals where she's lost & confused.
A discussion with Mickey spells out the duties of life. "You must help them realize that growth comes through challenge, the facing and the overcoming. You must encourage them to do something, anything, toward the change that is necessary for personal fulfillment. Easy has nothing to do with it. Easy is a wastrel's wish.'
Can there be peace in the Enright household with all the different personalities under one roof? Can Johannah find comfort or love with another man?
This well written, page turning book held my attention. I look forward to a possible sequel.
Link to purchase: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H...
May 17, 2022
A Good Read
A good, light read. Pleasant, relatable characters and a convincing view of small town Ireland today. A story of life and death and unfinished business, unmended instances and relationships. Change.
Not heavy. Not ponderous. But deep and quietly haunting in its own way.
A good, light read. Pleasant, relatable characters and a convincing view of small town Ireland today. A story of life and death and unfinished business, unmended instances and relationships. Change.
Not heavy. Not ponderous. But deep and quietly haunting in its own way.
March 6, 2019
Great story. Hannie is a compassionate woman and would do anything for anybody...except herself. Time to think of herself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2022
I wasn't sure I'd like this but it was very well done. I'll look for more by this author.
May 31, 2022
EnjoyAble Read
I liked the character development of Mickey. It would be great if we all had a chance to do things better without the distractions of life.
Rita Bennett
I liked the character development of Mickey. It would be great if we all had a chance to do things better without the distractions of life.
Rita Bennett
December 16, 2013
I read, reviewed, and enjoyed Catriona by Jeanette Baker back in 2011. Ever since, I’ve been interested in reading more of Baker’s work. I’m happy to report that I really enjoyed Hannie Rising and am actually pretty surprised how much the story stuck with me. It wasn’t quite what I expected having read the synopsis. This story has nothing to do with the supernatural but rather redemption, the love of family and friendship, and self-discovery. It left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling inside that stayed with me long after I finished.
The untimely death of Mickey Enright has affected a lot of people in the small town of Tralee. His wife, Hannie, isn’t quite sure how to cope with the loss and his grown children, Kate and Liam, can’t quite imagine what life will be like without their father around any longer. Mickey himself is probably the most shell-shocked of them all. He’s far from ready to leave his life and family behind. After passing into that brilliant white light, St. Peter is there to greet him. Mickey all but begs for a second chance and is again surprised to find out that his wish is to be granted. But his mission isn’t simply about unfinished business. Mickey is in fact allowed to return; he must come back as a stranger and keep his true identity a secret. Not quite sure what this new venture entails Mickey is all too eager to return to his wife, his children, and his life without truly understanding what he must
Meanwhile, it’s been a year since Mickey’s death and Hannie is still missing her husband but is starting to adjust remarkably well. With her children out and living their own lives she has her home to herself and is able to do whatever she likes without having to worry or look after anyone else. It’s a refreshing freedom that comes to a screeching halt even before it truly began. When both of her children ask to come back home and her mother slow descent into the grip of Alzheimer’s, Hannie must relinquish hold on a life she barely got a taste of. But what can she do? She’s a mother, a daughter, a pillar of emotional strength. She couldn’t possibly turn her family away when they need her. But when is someone going to be there for her when she needs it?
I can’t really say this story is just about Mickey or Hannie. Even though the title and even synopsis may lead one to believe this is Hannie’s story it really belongs to the entire family. It’s told in alternating POVs and is very well-executed in my opinion. Kate and Liam become main characters in their own right and even Hannie’s mother levels up there with the rest of the family. What I like most about Baker’s writing is her ability to create relatable, down-to-earth, and emotionally-layered characters. I found a little bit of myself in each of these people. Both Kate and Liam are in their twenties and are struggling to find a path for themselves with different obstacles in their way. Hannie is determined to be the person her family needs but she was just starting to experience a newfound freedom that I really hated to see taken away. Mickey, in disguise, is plopped down into the hubbub trying to discover what his new purpose is. All of them are on a journey that I know countless people can relate to on some level.
I love how I was also able to be totally immersed in Tralee and Ireland itself while following these characters. Having never traveled out of the country, or much out of my home state for that matter, I truly appreciate author’s that are able to bring the setting to life as if I were there. I’m very happy with my overall reading experience and although this is Baker’s latest release I still plan on reading her other books and any future ones she may write.
**I received an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
The untimely death of Mickey Enright has affected a lot of people in the small town of Tralee. His wife, Hannie, isn’t quite sure how to cope with the loss and his grown children, Kate and Liam, can’t quite imagine what life will be like without their father around any longer. Mickey himself is probably the most shell-shocked of them all. He’s far from ready to leave his life and family behind. After passing into that brilliant white light, St. Peter is there to greet him. Mickey all but begs for a second chance and is again surprised to find out that his wish is to be granted. But his mission isn’t simply about unfinished business. Mickey is in fact allowed to return; he must come back as a stranger and keep his true identity a secret. Not quite sure what this new venture entails Mickey is all too eager to return to his wife, his children, and his life without truly understanding what he must
Meanwhile, it’s been a year since Mickey’s death and Hannie is still missing her husband but is starting to adjust remarkably well. With her children out and living their own lives she has her home to herself and is able to do whatever she likes without having to worry or look after anyone else. It’s a refreshing freedom that comes to a screeching halt even before it truly began. When both of her children ask to come back home and her mother slow descent into the grip of Alzheimer’s, Hannie must relinquish hold on a life she barely got a taste of. But what can she do? She’s a mother, a daughter, a pillar of emotional strength. She couldn’t possibly turn her family away when they need her. But when is someone going to be there for her when she needs it?
I can’t really say this story is just about Mickey or Hannie. Even though the title and even synopsis may lead one to believe this is Hannie’s story it really belongs to the entire family. It’s told in alternating POVs and is very well-executed in my opinion. Kate and Liam become main characters in their own right and even Hannie’s mother levels up there with the rest of the family. What I like most about Baker’s writing is her ability to create relatable, down-to-earth, and emotionally-layered characters. I found a little bit of myself in each of these people. Both Kate and Liam are in their twenties and are struggling to find a path for themselves with different obstacles in their way. Hannie is determined to be the person her family needs but she was just starting to experience a newfound freedom that I really hated to see taken away. Mickey, in disguise, is plopped down into the hubbub trying to discover what his new purpose is. All of them are on a journey that I know countless people can relate to on some level.
I love how I was also able to be totally immersed in Tralee and Ireland itself while following these characters. Having never traveled out of the country, or much out of my home state for that matter, I truly appreciate author’s that are able to bring the setting to life as if I were there. I’m very happy with my overall reading experience and although this is Baker’s latest release I still plan on reading her other books and any future ones she may write.
**I received an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
December 28, 2013
I love this book! It grabs you from the beginning as the character dies andn ends up in front of St. Peter, begging to go back, he isn't ready to be dead! St. Peter sends him back but as a stranger to his family and friends and tells him he needs to fix some of the things he mucked up during his life. His widow Hannie has found out that after she has adapted to life as a single woman, she is enjoying the freedom of being without a husband. Her children move back home, her life is constantly changing and she has this man Patrick a stranger to her that keeps popping up just when she needs to talk to someone.....
The author told the story in an unusal way, she has each chapter a different character and their perspective on what is happening in their lives. A great book from beginnning to end I highly recommend it!
From Good Reads....the description...
Mickey Enright isn’t ready to be dead. His life on earth has been more than satisfactory. He is an icon in Tralee, a “typical Kerryman,” an easy-going, life-of-the-party jokester, a man’s man, a decent, although unexceptional provider who took for granted the faithfulness of his wife, the love of his children, Kerry football, and a few pints with the lads in Betty’s Pub on Rock Street. Convinced there has been a mistake, he demands another chance at mortality.
St. Peter, with an agenda of his own, sends Mickey back to Tralee as a stranger.
Meanwhile, Hannie, Mickey’s widow, has begun to resurface from her loss and celebrate her freedom. She has also learned a thing or two about her late husband, enough to convince her that life after marriage might be more satisfying than it was during.
Mickey, his original purpose to win back a few more years of his former life, finds himself in the unique position of attempting to court his wife, a woman he believed held no surprises for him and, in so doing, learns a thing or two about Hannie as well as playing directly into the hands of St. Peter
The author told the story in an unusal way, she has each chapter a different character and their perspective on what is happening in their lives. A great book from beginnning to end I highly recommend it!
From Good Reads....the description...
Mickey Enright isn’t ready to be dead. His life on earth has been more than satisfactory. He is an icon in Tralee, a “typical Kerryman,” an easy-going, life-of-the-party jokester, a man’s man, a decent, although unexceptional provider who took for granted the faithfulness of his wife, the love of his children, Kerry football, and a few pints with the lads in Betty’s Pub on Rock Street. Convinced there has been a mistake, he demands another chance at mortality.
St. Peter, with an agenda of his own, sends Mickey back to Tralee as a stranger.
Meanwhile, Hannie, Mickey’s widow, has begun to resurface from her loss and celebrate her freedom. She has also learned a thing or two about her late husband, enough to convince her that life after marriage might be more satisfying than it was during.
Mickey, his original purpose to win back a few more years of his former life, finds himself in the unique position of attempting to court his wife, a woman he believed held no surprises for him and, in so doing, learns a thing or two about Hannie as well as playing directly into the hands of St. Peter
January 6, 2014
When Mickey dies in late middle age, he is given a second chance at his life by a deal made with St. Peter. His return home in another body isn't exactly what he anticipated and his wife, Hannie, isn't as he remembers her. What he finds is that the way he remembers his life may not be the way his life really was and St. Peter challenges his to make some changes that may make him, and his family, uncomfortable.
I received this book from Goodreads in exchange for my review. Hannie Rising has an interesting plot but I really struggled to work my way through it. I felt that character development was weak for me and because there were so many main characters, I'm still not sure that I learned the lessons that Mickey was to learn. There were some editing errors in the book that were minor distractions and the book could have been tied up in better fashion.
I received this book from Goodreads in exchange for my review. Hannie Rising has an interesting plot but I really struggled to work my way through it. I felt that character development was weak for me and because there were so many main characters, I'm still not sure that I learned the lessons that Mickey was to learn. There were some editing errors in the book that were minor distractions and the book could have been tied up in better fashion.
January 13, 2014
Hannie Rising is a delightful book about a family where the father dies young and comes back and makes friends with his family. Johanna or Hannie as her friends and family call her isn't ready to move on from Mickey's death and as Patrick he is given a chance to make things right with her. The character development is wonderful for all of the family as they work through their lives and figure out what they really want. The story is set in Ireland in a small town in Kerry where tradition is a strong element of the society. I enjoyed Hannie Rising from beginning to end.
I want to thank Jeanette Baker, the author and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for my copy of Hannie Rising that I won in the Giveaway.
I want to thank Jeanette Baker, the author and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for my copy of Hannie Rising that I won in the Giveaway.
March 21, 2014
I enjoyed this quiet, well-written story from start to finish. Set in a small Irish town, the book tells the story of a caring, middle-aged woman dealing with the loss of her husband and the demands of her grown children. Hannie is one brave, capable gal, and I found myself rooting for her from the very beginning, and for her husband and her children as they find their way through a variety of challenges that life throws at them. I'm amazed at how well and convincingly Baker, an American, depicts every day life in small town Ireland. The characters and their issues are so real. This is truly a gem of a book from a subtle and gifted story-teller.
July 5, 2014
Beautiful!
A moving, rich and heartfelt story. I was expecting time travel romance but found a journey of growth, love of family and forgiveness. Beautifully written, the story continuously cycles though each main character from their POV. Love this as I know exactly what every character is thinking and feeling which enriches the story immensely.
The Irish definitely have their cultural flaws, just as all cultures do, and Jeanette brought out in depth of what bothers them in their society.
The ending was so moving that the tears wouldn't stop. I cried because each character touched me so deeply.
I can't wait to read more by this author.
A moving, rich and heartfelt story. I was expecting time travel romance but found a journey of growth, love of family and forgiveness. Beautifully written, the story continuously cycles though each main character from their POV. Love this as I know exactly what every character is thinking and feeling which enriches the story immensely.
The Irish definitely have their cultural flaws, just as all cultures do, and Jeanette brought out in depth of what bothers them in their society.
The ending was so moving that the tears wouldn't stop. I cried because each character touched me so deeply.
I can't wait to read more by this author.
January 27, 2014
I won this book as a Goodreads First read. Baker does a wonderful job of developing her characters and building the setting. She goes into detail about the Ireland countryside and lifestyle. I was able to get a feeling of Irish life and customs. It almost made me want to brew a cup of tea. The storyline is told through the lives of each of the characters. Near the end, I was concerned at how all the events would be brought together with so little book left, but Baker was able to tie it all together nicely.
November 3, 2014
This is not the best of Jeanette Baker's books. It deals mostly with a family coping with death and all the problems following. The dead husband returns in another from (sent by St. Peter) to help his family out for a little while. It is rather interesting how Ms Baker handled this plot but she has written better books.
February 5, 2014
I won this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway. This book was quite a bit different than the usual books I read. I felt that it had a really nice storyline. I found the book to be a bit slow but still a very good read.
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