The Oystercatcher of Southwark

by Erica Colahan

Philadelphia, 1897—On the shores of the Delaware River, Italian Catholic Mary Paragano dreams of a happily ever after. However, when she defies her family and runs away to marry Jakob, a Jewish boy, her fairy tale takes an unexpected turn. Disowned by her father, abandoned by Jakob, and pursued by a jealous gangster, Mary's life spirals into tragedy, culminating in accusations of attempting to harm her own children and a harrowing end in an asylum.

Philadelphia, present day—Bella, Mary's great-great-granddaughter, grapples with the aftermath of her recent divorce. Amidst her pain, a mysterious stranger named Sophie enters her life, claiming to be related to Jakob, the man who left Mary to her devastating fate over a century ago. Together, Bella and Sophie unravel the layers of Mary's haunting past, question the stories they’ve been told, and uncover the impact of these historical secrets on their modern-day lives.

Based on the remarkable true story of the author's great-great-grandmother, The Oystercatcher of Southwark takes readers on a poignant journey through the immigrant neighborhoods of South Philadelphia. This deftly-woven novel explores the profound love of a mother for her children and the redemptive hope that transcends time.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

314 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2024

Reviews

[Kelsey Gietl · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to believe this is Erica Colahan's first published novel. Like the river so integral to the story, The Oystercatcher of Southwark's words flow beautifully, allowing the reader to sink into their depths and become lost in its pages. The themes of faith, family loyalty, marriage, motherhood, and sacrifice, are powerfully written for a story both tragic and hopeful. Unlike some dual timeline novels, where the transition between past and present chapters can be jarring, this story seamlessly transitions between Mary in the 1890s and her great-great-granddaughter Bella in 2016. Also, while this is a Catholic novel, the Jewish elements are handled with the utmost respect and the author does a great job of explaining Jewish and Italian culture in a way that's easy to understand. The author's note at the back is a must read as she explains how the novel is inspired by her own family and details which areas are factual and which are fiction. (Hint: There's a lot more fact than you'd expect.) A highly recommended read for all historical fiction lovers!

Bonus fun fact: The woman on the cover is a painting of the author's great-great-grandmother Mary, on whom the book is based.

[Sheri Girgenti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope filled and insightful historical fiction
This book is meticulously researched and beautifully written. The characters are written with depth and insight. The story is touching and inspiring. The topics of broken marriage, trauma, religion, mental illness, and the historical inequality for women are written with hope and compassion without shying away from the hard realities. While it is a dramatic and aching story there are brilliant touches of wit and humor that are like hints of sun breaking through the clouds.
I rarely highlight novels, but this one has several great lines that I just had to mark.
This is a book I will read again. I hope there are more stories to come about this compelling family.

[Rebecca Hutcheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read from a local author who has incorporated real life facts from her family line, interwoven with fiction as the “what if…”. I loved the depth of research to make historical places of Philadelphia and surrounding area come alive during the 1890s. Beautiful descriptive writing, yet heartbreaking with themes touching on immigration, culture, religious beliefs, broken marriage, mental health, and what the love of a mother will do for her children.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great book. What an amazing family history. I can’t wait for the next book by this talented author!

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blew me away! The author's writing is phenomenal. The dual timeline kept me in suspense as I wondered what was going to happen next. It's a heartbreaking story of forbidden love, broken families, and sacrifice. It's also about redemption, the power of friendship and healing.

Mary intrigued me from the beginning. Her father's love for her is apparent. She's an old soul, an artist, curious. When her path crosses with Jakob, her entire life changes. She loves him and fears him. Soon, her life changes, and she faces new challenges. I love Mrs. Oliver! Her personality is authentic. She's hospitable, compassionate, and giving. She is independent and a good provider.

The epilogue is my favorite part of the book. When Mollie opened her present, my heart rejoiced! Side note: I recommend reading the author's note. It offers insight into the background of this amazing story.

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Chrism Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kiley Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adventure worth exploring

An intriguing story of a young woman who fell in love with a man not of her faith. A creative, strong woman who loved her family. It was a challenging world in the 1800s for women to speak their mind. This book took you back to those times and tribulations and challenges.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal book! Colahan’s debut novel weaves two stories together in a wonderful fashion. The story is well crafted and keeps readers engaged. She is able to go back and forth through both timelines with an ease that doesn’t make it awkward or stilted. Great read!

[Joyce Kohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read!

I liked the story line and the way the writer betrayed all the characters. Beautifully written and really delved into how the Italian immigrants, migrated into this country. The story although fiction was based on things that did happen
And the characters were truly dimensional and felt they were real!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story. Part true, part fiction. I know the author. (Helped teach her daughter in kindergarten and just saying this so I don't come off as biased.) Truly a great read. Couldn't put it down.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC!

[Paty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut novel was captivating and so realistic! It’s not a Happily-Ever-After tale, like most books I tend to read, but it left me with a hopeful heart at the end, and I loved it more because of the realism, not only because it’s based on the author’s great-great-grandmother’s authentic story, because it deals with a harsh reality that has always existed and is still a very common and sad life experience, which is the life of immigrants and people hurt by racists outlooks.
Mary Paragano is a first-generation girl of an American-Italian large catholic family who settles in Southwark Philadelphia. Sebastian, Mary’s father, owes his success as a grocery store owner to his Mob boss Rocco, who is enamored with young Mary and wants her for himself. Mary falls in love with a young Jewish boy, and after unexpected circumstances, elopes with him to Newark, New jersey, where she starts a new life, separated from her family, and forced to change her way of life into the Jewish traditions and rules. As her husband falls into shady business and children start to grow, Mary faces a harsh life and circumstances, where she must rely on her faith to go on and protect her children.
As I said, the story was captivating and so relatable, that I had a hard time putting the book down. I needed to know how Mary’s story was going to end. The characters are so well developed that there’s nothing in this book that sounds like a debut author, but more like an experienced one. Maybe the author telling her ancestor’s fictional yet true story makes it so vivid and real. I felt as part of Mary’s family and struggling with her battles, and my heart aching with the unfair treatment she received. Mary definitely was my favorite character. I related to her in her weakness, and was inspired by her strength and reliance on her faith to overcome heart-wrenching circumstances. She had a big and compassionate heart, and her love of her children was inspiring as well. What a mamma can do for her family is a lesson of unconditional love, more Jesus’s love for every one of us. The plot is complex, yet I never felt it dragged. I loved how the author tied almost everything at the end in a satisfying way, with a message of hope, forgiveness and redemption. I shed my tears with this story, but I also felt moved to fight for what is true and good. It sparkled my faith too. Bella’s character was also relatable and I would like to know more about her journey after all her discoveries. I loved her tenacity in searching and discovering what happened to her great-great-grandmother, whose tale didn’t make much sense and was left a mystery. After reading it, I just felt thankful, that even if many people can judge us and misinterpret our actions, it is only God who knows our true heart, and the Only One who matters, for all that is worth.
A book that impacted me, was thought provoking and faith inspired that I highly recommend.
I received a complimentary copy from the Publisher but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trigger Warning: Suicide
The title of this book caught my attention as something different, and I am glad I decided to review it. Much of it was close to my own family stories of immigration and life in a big American city, making it all strike very true for me. Tragedy and triumph mesh in this tale of the American dream not being everything hoped for.
I write a lot of reviews for Christian fiction, but keep in mind the main character in this one is Catholic. I knew that going in, and it does not detract from the narrative at all. Rather it makes sense that immigrants from Italy at the turn of the last century would be Catholic. It is a wonderfully redemptive story with a realistic ending – not all happily-ever-afters, but the characters can see in hindsight how God orchestrated things despite poor choices. That is something I can relate to.
As an avid bird lover, I loved seeing the bird theme from the cover to the very end, and I learned about some birds I had never heard of before. I also loved the detailed explanation from the author to separate fact from fiction and that a large part of the book was a true account of her family. Mary’s journey is a sad one, and I have been unable to get her out of my head. This is a fantastic premier novel from this author and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book courtesy of Chrism Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an immersive and heartrending book to read. The fact that it was based on the author's real life family history made it even more real as I read it. The setting of Southwark Philadelphia was brilliantly brought to life, as was the heroines Italian heritage. While reading I actually felt like I was there, like I was a part of the family.

The journey that Mary takes as she grows up in Southwark and meets Jacob was so relatable. I think this story does a good job of showing what might have happened in her own Grandmother's life, while also shining light on the difficulties people face when they date or marry someone that doesn't share their own faith.

Each character was so well written. You'll feel for Mary as she not only is expelled from her family for marrying a Jew, but is then abandoned by her husband. The pain that poor woman endured was horrible, yet how she was able to keep going was a true testament to her faith. I was grateful how the author tied it all up in the end. Some questions were left, mostly due to no concrete answers being known, but I was happy how it turned out and that each character received a good conclusion to their story. If you enjoy split-time fiction with a touch of autobiography I highly recommend this moving story.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Maggie Rosario · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Oystercatcher of Southwark provided enthralling, hard-to-put-down summer reading. Yet, there is much more to the novel than a flash read! Erica Colahan presents to readers something remarkably poignant and piercing. There is certainly hope in and for the characters of both timelines. The endings of their stories leave readers looking up and thinking good really can come out of the worst situations.

This is a novel that sees beyond earthly life.

Mary’s timeline shows a gradual increase of love, showing that love is so much more than the fleeting feelings of romance and physical affection. Mary’s love shifts from a childish romance into the unconditional love of a mother for her children, and a Christian woman for those in need. There seems to be no happily ever after at the end of Mary’s tale, but a Christian hope assures readers that her story is no tragedy.

I found the quasi-tragedy of the novel an excellent change from stories that unrealistically fulfill worldly happiness at the end of a difficult situation. Sometimes what we really need to read is something that rests in the sorrow of human life and looks beyond to what awaits us in Heaven. So read with care! You may find yourself challenged by this truly good book to look for hope where least expected.

DISCLAIMER: I was given an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest reader review. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This split-time novel tells the story of Mary, a young first-generation Italian-American woman living in South Philly and working at a sweatshop while she helps her father manage the grocery store for which he’s beholden to mob boss Rocco. Mary has captured the hearts of three men: the brutish Rocco, who insists Mary’s father “owes him” and must let him marry her; Cenzo the kindly fishmonger; and Jakob, a young Jewish man who becomes embroiled in shady business deals after Mary becomes pregnant and they elope and set up housekeeping in Newark, NJ. The present-day story line follows Bella, who’s brokenhearted after a recent divorce and shocked to learn that some of her ancestors were Jewish: this story had never been told to the younger generations. Together, Bella and a newfound older cousin piece together the story of Mary’s eventual return to Philadelphia with her children.
It’s lovely to read historical novels when the scene is set so well. As I read, I felt like I could very well have been walking those streets of South Philly where this novel takes place. Erica Colahan has taken the true story of her own great-great-grandmother and brought the people as well as the place to life. The novel explores the life of a young mother and tells how she, driven to desperation, seeks to protect her children from all harm. I can’t wait to read this novel a second time!

[Leann Arave · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a deep and dynamic story based on real events. It is a split timeline beginning in the late 1800s with an influx of immigrants searching for the American dream. Sebastian has left his home in Italy to find a better life for he and his family. When he arrives he is overwhelmed with the kindness of a man named Rocco. He soon understood the idiom "too good to be true". He realized too late that he basically sold his soul to the devil. This agreement between the two men remains a large deterrent throughout the book. A large part of the book is his determination and headstrong daughter Mary. This is a very complex and heartbreaking story. It holds your attention throughout, the highs and the lows, the joys and the losses. If you enjoy high drama, closed door romance, religious and political confrontation, and split timeline, you will find this a good read. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Jennifer Frankovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love good strong female characters, and so this book was right up my alley! A poignant, dual timeline historical fiction novel set in Philadelphia, The Oystercatcher deftly weaves two meaningful stories together. A forbidden marriage, a life on the run, a woman locked up. . . family secrets of the past must be uncovered and the generational narrative set to rights. This story is for anyone who likes historical fiction, general, or women’s fiction. The historical narrative is a little bit Gangs of New York meets Wilkie Collins’ Woman in White and provides the intrigue for the contemporary timeline and underscores the message of self-sacrifice and the power of a woman’s love. I found it to be a rich read and would definitely recommend!
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book courtesy of Chrism Press. However, I was not required to leave a review, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Bethany Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautiful split-time book is based on the story of the author's great-great grandmother, who grew up as a young immigrant in Southwark, Philadelphia in the late 1800s/early1900s. The story is one of family, love, pain, forgiveness and the power of love. The characters don't always make the right choices--and it affects their lives in ways they could never comprehend.
I enjoyed the historical time better than the contemporary as I thought the contemporary story was not quite as fleshed out and I didn't connect to the characters as much. All in all this was an enjoyable, touching book made even more special to know that the characters were based on true-life people.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Lynette Allcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel really kept me engrossed until the end. The characters are complex and sympathetic, and although some scenes felt a little rushed, the story carried me along as I was rooting for the characters, aching for their pain, and appreciating the hints of hope and forgiveness. I enjoyed it all the more for being based on a true story, and I was fascinated by the author’s notes about the real family history. If you’re looking for something compelling, inspiring, yet easy to read (a perfect summer combination imo), pick this one up!

Note: I received a complimentary copy this book from the publishers as part of the launch team. I was not required to provide a positive review, so this opinion is totally my own.

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book based on the life of the author’s great-great grandmother Mary. It’s not an easy book to read due to the challenges Mary went through in her life, but it’s worth reading. The dual timelines of the 1890s and the present day are handled well, and it’s amazing to find out which parts of the story what actually happened. I kept reading because I needed to find out how things turned out. Overall there is hope and redemption.

I received a complimentary copy this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

[Merri Leber-Perrone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story from the author's past family history. Erica is an incredible writer.
The duel time story shares the deep and caring love of a mother, Her struggles and hardships.
Captured thru the desire to find answers to questions that were unknown for decades.
One of those books you can't put down. The genealogist in me delighted to see the lengths she went to get those answers.
A must read for all historical fiction lovers.

[Joanne Sher · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging, sweeping dual timeline story based on actual events in the author's family history, this story, though a bit slow at times, kept my interest. I found the historical timeline more engaging than the present day, but the pieces did tie together well. Mary's character, especially, was well-developed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Alyssa Schwarz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Oystercatcher of Southwark is a beautiful story where unimaginable struggles, faith, and ultimately redemption weave together into a narrative that's both heartbreaking and inspiring. Colahan's unique voice shines through this debut dual-time novel that will enthrall readers from beginning to end.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, a nice mix of history and genealogy. Absolutely hoping for a sequel to learn more awesome family stories and how things turn out for Bella!

[Johara Craig · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think the story is nice, but I found this book hard to follow.

[MaryAlice Howe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes you through Mary’s life as a young Italian immigrant girl in South Philadelphia in the early 20th century. Her story is tragic, yet beautiful. The author has an easily to read writing style, drawing you into her characters lives which are based on her own family history . The book alternates between current day and the early 1900’s. You won’t be able to put it down.

[Cindy Heck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rooted in Philly

So enjoyed the references to places in Philly and surrounding area. It really brought the story to life for me. And knoepwing it was based on a true story was fascinating,