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Snow
Set in a one-street small town in the Irish midlands, Snow (a short story) is a stylish portrait of Dolores, a young expatriate Irish woman who is suddenly summoned home from America to take care of her estranged and sick father. In her childhood home, Dolores wrestles with the push and pull between her new American life and her past life in Ireland. As she nurses her father back to health, she is beset by memories and caught between family loyalties and her own desires. - See more
27 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2014
About the author
Áine Greaney
11 books35 followersAn Irish-born author who lives north of Boston. Novels: The Big House and Dance Lessons. Also short stories, personal essays and features in such publications as the Boston Globe Magazine, Salon.com, The Literary Review, Creative Nonfiction, Natural Bridge, The Fish Anthology and other publications. Also a frequent public speaker and creative writing teacher at various schools, libraries and arts organizations in New England and beyond. "
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 19, 2014
Review: SNOW by Aine Greany
Early 20th Century North Carolina author Thomas Wolfe informed us, "you can't go home again." Irish expatriate author Aine Greany infers differently. In her newest short story, "SNOW," a poetically lyrical narrative with all the power of the Irish lilt, Dolores leaves behind her New England home and relationship, and her career in which she continually demonstrates strong female empowerment in a man's field, to return to Dublin as part-time carer to her aged, ailing, father-a melancholy, introverted soul-and full-time shopkeeper in the family business. Within days, memories swamp her and any attempt to assert is met with discontent and disdain from the patriarch and former authority figure.
Early 20th Century North Carolina author Thomas Wolfe informed us, "you can't go home again." Irish expatriate author Aine Greany infers differently. In her newest short story, "SNOW," a poetically lyrical narrative with all the power of the Irish lilt, Dolores leaves behind her New England home and relationship, and her career in which she continually demonstrates strong female empowerment in a man's field, to return to Dublin as part-time carer to her aged, ailing, father-a melancholy, introverted soul-and full-time shopkeeper in the family business. Within days, memories swamp her and any attempt to assert is met with discontent and disdain from the patriarch and former authority figure.
December 14, 2014
Snow is a beautifully written story about the age old question can we go home again.When Dolores is summoned back to Dublin to care for her ailing father a father she a very difficult relationship.Home again back to familiar faces &old feelings & issues.places she debates with in herself what her future will be.
July 6, 2014
I believe that it was Thomas Wolfe who said that ‘you can never go home again’. Áine Greaney turns that idea sideways as she brings us the story of Dolores. Years ago, Dolores fled the small midland village of her childhood to seek her happiness in upstate New York. Perhaps thinking that her Irish troubles would fade with a change of venue, she has built a life in the States and left her roots behind.
When her father takes ill, it is she who steps up and returns to care for him, and the family business. Only four characters truly are introduced in this story: all play a background role to Dolores’ narration and memories of the present and the past. Dolores is still running from all things that would stir memories: her mother’s death, her father’s disappointment and infirmity, grasping at a moment, any moment of escape that comes in the form of the man down from Dublin who has purchased the old hotel across the street.
This short feels very Irish, even as you read you find yourself channeling an accent as the words form in your head. A constant juxtaposition between then and now, Ireland and America, the story is a snapshot of that curious ability we all have to measure now and then, reinforcing or disproving our memories.
I’m not 100% sure if Dolores found any of the answers she was seeking: it’s apparent that part of her desire to go far from her childhood home were in the disregard and near disdainful attitude of her father. It’s interesting to see her grasp for some of the control and strength that she exhibits in her life in New York, and just how quickly that feeling of power can be undermined. And perhaps that is the point: her strength is only evident in a place where the years of history and family relationships aren’t solidly set and established. Greaney has used every word, every nuance in action and interaction to bring this point home, to the reader and to Dolores.
I received an eArc copy of this title from the publisher for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
When her father takes ill, it is she who steps up and returns to care for him, and the family business. Only four characters truly are introduced in this story: all play a background role to Dolores’ narration and memories of the present and the past. Dolores is still running from all things that would stir memories: her mother’s death, her father’s disappointment and infirmity, grasping at a moment, any moment of escape that comes in the form of the man down from Dublin who has purchased the old hotel across the street.
This short feels very Irish, even as you read you find yourself channeling an accent as the words form in your head. A constant juxtaposition between then and now, Ireland and America, the story is a snapshot of that curious ability we all have to measure now and then, reinforcing or disproving our memories.
I’m not 100% sure if Dolores found any of the answers she was seeking: it’s apparent that part of her desire to go far from her childhood home were in the disregard and near disdainful attitude of her father. It’s interesting to see her grasp for some of the control and strength that she exhibits in her life in New York, and just how quickly that feeling of power can be undermined. And perhaps that is the point: her strength is only evident in a place where the years of history and family relationships aren’t solidly set and established. Greaney has used every word, every nuance in action and interaction to bring this point home, to the reader and to Dolores.
I received an eArc copy of this title from the publisher for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
June 20, 2014
I was given an advance copy of "Snow" by author Aine Greaney to read and review. Her publishing company Pixel Hall Press was gracious enough to supply me with the copy.
*****
"Snow" is a short story that consist of 14 pages. In those 14 pages, you get a powerful story of how one woman struggles with family, business and trying to be herself.
Dolores has left her home in the Ireland and moved to America. Finally, she is happy with her new life when a phone call disrupts everything that she has worked so hard to rebuild. Now she has to return to that small little town in the Irish midlands that she struggled so hard to escape.
Her father is ill, she is now running the family store, all the while becoming trapped in the life that she doesn't feel comfortable living. Everything changes for Dolores when Declan Ferguson pops in to purchase a couple of items.
This dashing man has purchased the hotel across the street and is in the midst of refurbishing it back to its old glory. With the offer of needing assistance in picking out items that needs "a womans touch," Dolores starts to find herself struggling with where her life is going.
*****
Granted this is only 14 pages long and a very quick read. The author packs a hefty punch with this short story. She did a magnificent job in painting a picture of what life is like through the eyes of Dolores. You can feel her inner turmoil that she is dealing with regarding her issues with her father. I was able to understand her need to flee Ireland and run off to America to start a new life.
It takes talent to write a great book and be able to paint such a vivid portrait in one's mind as they read. However it takes an excellent author to do such a thing in only 14 pages. I was completely wrapped up in this story from the beginning to the end. I could see this story being a novel and doing very well.
I was extremely impressed!
*****
"Snow" is a short story that consist of 14 pages. In those 14 pages, you get a powerful story of how one woman struggles with family, business and trying to be herself.
Dolores has left her home in the Ireland and moved to America. Finally, she is happy with her new life when a phone call disrupts everything that she has worked so hard to rebuild. Now she has to return to that small little town in the Irish midlands that she struggled so hard to escape.
Her father is ill, she is now running the family store, all the while becoming trapped in the life that she doesn't feel comfortable living. Everything changes for Dolores when Declan Ferguson pops in to purchase a couple of items.
This dashing man has purchased the hotel across the street and is in the midst of refurbishing it back to its old glory. With the offer of needing assistance in picking out items that needs "a womans touch," Dolores starts to find herself struggling with where her life is going.
*****
Granted this is only 14 pages long and a very quick read. The author packs a hefty punch with this short story. She did a magnificent job in painting a picture of what life is like through the eyes of Dolores. You can feel her inner turmoil that she is dealing with regarding her issues with her father. I was able to understand her need to flee Ireland and run off to America to start a new life.
It takes talent to write a great book and be able to paint such a vivid portrait in one's mind as they read. However it takes an excellent author to do such a thing in only 14 pages. I was completely wrapped up in this story from the beginning to the end. I could see this story being a novel and doing very well.
I was extremely impressed!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2014
Did I enjoy this book: Yes, very much.
“Snow” is a short story about going home. In this case, it’s to care for an elderly father with whom our main character has a tense relationship. She contrasts her life in New York against her former life in Dublin. Once she returns to her birthplace, all the old memories, old wounds, and broken relationships resume as if she’d never been gone.
“Snow” is a story many readers can relate to. It’s beautifully written in a stream of consciousness format. Stream of consciousness writing leaves a writer vulnerable to sounding chopped up. I think she makes it work in this story, however.
I read the short story three times and while I believe the snow as she contrasts the huge storms in New York against the light dusting in Dublin is supposed to be symbolic. I couldn’t figure out the symbolism. Maybe there wasn’t any. But I’ll probably keep looking for it until I either find something or make something up.
After my first read, I hated the ending. I was reading along, enjoying the story and it stopped mid-action. So I read it a second time.
Again, the ending seemed harshly abrupt. By the third reading, the cold, pitiless reality of the ending really summed up her relationship with her father in the most heartbreaking way. I’m kind of sorry I got it because when I finally did, it made me sad.
I guess it’s a good thing this was a short story. I never would have re-read a novel three times. I would have given it a bad review and gone on to the next book. This story was worth the three reads. I’ll probably go in for a fourth to see if I can decipher the symbolism of the snow.
Would I recommend it: Yes. It’s a wonderful story. If you have ideas on the snow symbolism, message me.
As reviewed by Belinda at Every Free Chance Books.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/06/re...
“Snow” is a short story about going home. In this case, it’s to care for an elderly father with whom our main character has a tense relationship. She contrasts her life in New York against her former life in Dublin. Once she returns to her birthplace, all the old memories, old wounds, and broken relationships resume as if she’d never been gone.
“Snow” is a story many readers can relate to. It’s beautifully written in a stream of consciousness format. Stream of consciousness writing leaves a writer vulnerable to sounding chopped up. I think she makes it work in this story, however.
I read the short story three times and while I believe the snow as she contrasts the huge storms in New York against the light dusting in Dublin is supposed to be symbolic. I couldn’t figure out the symbolism. Maybe there wasn’t any. But I’ll probably keep looking for it until I either find something or make something up.
After my first read, I hated the ending. I was reading along, enjoying the story and it stopped mid-action. So I read it a second time.
Again, the ending seemed harshly abrupt. By the third reading, the cold, pitiless reality of the ending really summed up her relationship with her father in the most heartbreaking way. I’m kind of sorry I got it because when I finally did, it made me sad.
I guess it’s a good thing this was a short story. I never would have re-read a novel three times. I would have given it a bad review and gone on to the next book. This story was worth the three reads. I’ll probably go in for a fourth to see if I can decipher the symbolism of the snow.
Would I recommend it: Yes. It’s a wonderful story. If you have ideas on the snow symbolism, message me.
As reviewed by Belinda at Every Free Chance Books.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/06/re...
April 26, 2014
This is the first short short I have read by Áine Greaney and while it isn't my favorite short story in my recent reads, it does have some strong elements that kept me engaged with the story until the end.
Ms. Greaney does an excellent job of setting up the location in Ireland. I felt like I could see the street where Delores's family shop is located. And I could feel the cold of a Dublin winter as the snow fell on the late night scene. This small corner of Dublin becomes a character in the story.
The struggle for me was the number of unanswered questions. What happened between Dolores and her father? There's obviously something that caused her to move to America and there definitely a deep seeded guilt (and maybe a reason for her avoidance), beyond her father's illness, forcing her to stay in Dublin when she has a husband and a life back in New York. And then there is the mysterious Ferguson. Why did he buy the place across the way? Has he always been a loner? Why does he fancy Dolores? Heck, why does Dolores fancy him?
But then I tell myself to stop asking questions and enjoy the story for what the author is sharing with me in just a few short pages. And realize, because I am asking questions and wishing to know more, there is a magical, secret conversation happening between me and the author.
Because of her ability to paint a beautiful picture of Dublin during a snowstorm and stirring my desire to know more about the characters in the story, I give Snow by Áine Greaney a thumbs up.
Ms. Greaney does an excellent job of setting up the location in Ireland. I felt like I could see the street where Delores's family shop is located. And I could feel the cold of a Dublin winter as the snow fell on the late night scene. This small corner of Dublin becomes a character in the story.
The struggle for me was the number of unanswered questions. What happened between Dolores and her father? There's obviously something that caused her to move to America and there definitely a deep seeded guilt (and maybe a reason for her avoidance), beyond her father's illness, forcing her to stay in Dublin when she has a husband and a life back in New York. And then there is the mysterious Ferguson. Why did he buy the place across the way? Has he always been a loner? Why does he fancy Dolores? Heck, why does Dolores fancy him?
But then I tell myself to stop asking questions and enjoy the story for what the author is sharing with me in just a few short pages. And realize, because I am asking questions and wishing to know more, there is a magical, secret conversation happening between me and the author.
Because of her ability to paint a beautiful picture of Dublin during a snowstorm and stirring my desire to know more about the characters in the story, I give Snow by Áine Greaney a thumbs up.
December 20, 2014
In order for short stories to be appealing to me, I either have to connect to the main character, or they have to make me feel something.
This one accomplished neither.
I didn’t really understand what was going on most of the time. I spent more time confused than actually understanding what I was reading. It didn’t seem to flow together, and it never really grabbed me at any point.
This story could maybe have been effective as a longer book, but as a short story it missed the mark.
1/5 stars
This one accomplished neither.
I didn’t really understand what was going on most of the time. I spent more time confused than actually understanding what I was reading. It didn’t seem to flow together, and it never really grabbed me at any point.
This story could maybe have been effective as a longer book, but as a short story it missed the mark.
1/5 stars
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews