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Golddigger
Everything that mattered to Frances Moriarty was left behind in famine-ravaged Ireland, including the love of her life. Beset with grief and guilt, she is scraping out a shadowy existence as a New York shoeshine boy when word spreads like gold nuggets line the riverbeds of California. Eager to stake a claim, Frances boldly sets out on the overland trek to California’s gold fields, praying that her journey will lead her to riches—and a place a woman like her can call her own. Rich with historic detail and steeped in the secret passion of women-loving-women, Hilary McCollum’s debut novel is an epic story of love lost and found in a daring life.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2015
2 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Hilary McCollum
3 books11 followersHilary McCollum is an Irish writer and storyteller. Her award-winning play, Life and Love: Lesbian Style, explores the highs and lows of lesbian existence. It received the Eva Gore-Booth Award for best female performance at the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival in 2014 and was nominated for the Oscar Wilde Award for best new writing. After two decades in London, Hilary now lives in rural Ireland with her lover and furry family. Her childhood memoir, Funny Peculiar, was published in 2008 under the name Constance McCullagh. Golddigger is her first novel. She is currently working on a second historical novel, set within the suffragette movement, with the support of Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 16, 2024
4,25 stars
Very good. Very bittersweet. Very well written. I wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for something light with a guaranteed HEA. This doesn't end tragically, but hopeful isn't the same as happy.
Very good. Very bittersweet. Very well written. I wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for something light with a guaranteed HEA. This doesn't end tragically, but hopeful isn't the same as happy.
November 5, 2016
I never really write reviews as I'm always worried my words won't do the book justice, especially a book of this calibre. However I really want to write about this book as I feel everyone in the world needs to read this ASAP.
It is a beautiful, well written and well researched novel. As a historian, I am always so wary of inaccuracies in a historical fiction novel but I am so pleased to say I didn't find any in this book. Irish history is so important to me and the author wrote about the famine in such a respectful and informative manner.
As for the LGBT+ aspect of this novel, gay history is an area of history yet to be fully explored and novels like this one are doing the good work in trying to change that. Keep up the good work Hilary!
It is a beautiful, well written and well researched novel. As a historian, I am always so wary of inaccuracies in a historical fiction novel but I am so pleased to say I didn't find any in this book. Irish history is so important to me and the author wrote about the famine in such a respectful and informative manner.
As for the LGBT+ aspect of this novel, gay history is an area of history yet to be fully explored and novels like this one are doing the good work in trying to change that. Keep up the good work Hilary!
November 19, 2015
Golddigger is a lesbian historical romance set against the dual landscapes of famine Ireland and the Californian gold rush. It weaves a highly emotional story of love, loss and one woman’s quest to find her place in the world.
The story begins with Frances ‘Frank’ Moriarty preparing for another day working as a shoeshine boy. Following the outbreak of famine that destroys her community, she leaves an entire life behind in Ireland - a family and the woman she loves, Kitty Gorman.
On the day she receives a letter from home bearing news of more deaths caused by the famine, she reads a newspaper article which inspires her to pursue her fortune in the gold fields of California. When her friend Gerry mocks her dream, she says with a characteristic strength: “There’s gold there for the taking… I’m as entitled to it as any man.”
At the heart of this book is a love story – this is a magnificent re-imagining of lesbian love, a love that endures due to determination, a love that will break your heart as get caught up in the passion of their story. Speaking of her feelings for Kitty, Frances says: “This is what people call love, the love between a man and woman. I have never felt it before, wondered if I ever would. I don’t seem to care that it is for a woman.”
The strength of Golddigger is that it is much more than a love story; although, it is – at its core – a beautifully rendered tale of love, loss and hope – be prepared to shed a tear. Golddigger is also a living history. McCollum brings to life two historical moments – in fact, she moves effortlessly between them – with beautiful acuity, a testament not only to her passion for historical fiction, but her real, human understanding of the imperative for physical and emotional survival.
The story begins with Frances ‘Frank’ Moriarty preparing for another day working as a shoeshine boy. Following the outbreak of famine that destroys her community, she leaves an entire life behind in Ireland - a family and the woman she loves, Kitty Gorman.
On the day she receives a letter from home bearing news of more deaths caused by the famine, she reads a newspaper article which inspires her to pursue her fortune in the gold fields of California. When her friend Gerry mocks her dream, she says with a characteristic strength: “There’s gold there for the taking… I’m as entitled to it as any man.”
At the heart of this book is a love story – this is a magnificent re-imagining of lesbian love, a love that endures due to determination, a love that will break your heart as get caught up in the passion of their story. Speaking of her feelings for Kitty, Frances says: “This is what people call love, the love between a man and woman. I have never felt it before, wondered if I ever would. I don’t seem to care that it is for a woman.”
The strength of Golddigger is that it is much more than a love story; although, it is – at its core – a beautifully rendered tale of love, loss and hope – be prepared to shed a tear. Golddigger is also a living history. McCollum brings to life two historical moments – in fact, she moves effortlessly between them – with beautiful acuity, a testament not only to her passion for historical fiction, but her real, human understanding of the imperative for physical and emotional survival.
December 7, 2015
Very engaging and seemingly well researched story about a young Irish woman who emigrates to NYC, passing as a man to make her way safely alone. Gold is discovered in CA so she decides to head west. The story is told in two separate time frames, alternating chapters; her last few years in Ireland and then her first few in America. Her years in Ireland during the famine, spending time with her secret girlfriend dreaming of a life together, then her time in America, essentially alone except for one loyal friend. I enjoyed this very much and look forward to more from this author.
July 16, 2024
I am a sucker for historical lesbian fiction and Hilary McCollum did not disappoint. I enjoyed both parts of the story, home life in Ireland prior to and during the potato famine; and the struggle for a new life in the America. I would have liked more story line about the trip across America and what became of the family Frank left behind.
Overall a very good read that could have been a great read if it was allowed to be longer. I will be looking for more by this author.
Overall a very good read that could have been a great read if it was allowed to be longer. I will be looking for more by this author.
November 2, 2020
Well, that was a rollercoaster. I mean it! So, let me try to get a few words in, but not spoiling too much...I love the changing timelines, one chapter at a time, it was well woven into the whole story. Thumbs up!
I enjoyed the setting even though it was describing the most tragic and sad period of Irish history, but that was the reality at the time, and sweetening it up would have ruined the purpose..My god, sometimes it went from hope, to heartbreak to hope and then back again, but it finished off it a lovely way that I can really say (even though others would disagree), it was a beautifully crafted story, one i have enjoyed thoroughly.
All characters have been shaped with enough depth to make then all a vibrant part of the story and it wasn't just Frances that took the stage which is pretty great to paint a great picture of it rolling in your mind's eye. The romance was sweet but it would be better to just read it to know more :)
I enjoyed the setting even though it was describing the most tragic and sad period of Irish history, but that was the reality at the time, and sweetening it up would have ruined the purpose..My god, sometimes it went from hope, to heartbreak to hope and then back again, but it finished off it a lovely way that I can really say (even though others would disagree), it was a beautifully crafted story, one i have enjoyed thoroughly.
All characters have been shaped with enough depth to make then all a vibrant part of the story and it wasn't just Frances that took the stage which is pretty great to paint a great picture of it rolling in your mind's eye. The romance was sweet but it would be better to just read it to know more :)
April 12, 2018
Golddigger does not read like a first novel. It also does not read like a boilerplate romance. Hilary McCollum shows a pro's deft touch with story-building, using dual timelines to build a mystery of lost love, survival, and found love. In 1845 Ireland, the year before the devastating starvation and death from the potato famine, Frances Moriarty falls in love with Kitty Gorman and, at first, all is grand. Village families are close-knit and protective of each other, even as it becomes apparent that no amount of good will can overcome failed crops, starvation, and disease. When it is clear to Frances and Kitty that they and their families have a better chance of survival apart, the two young women decide to flee famine and disease together and build a new life in America. The day before they are to leave, a chance encounter with a fevered neighbor sets tragedy in motion.
McCollum brings the reader into the families she creates, makes us care about them, lets us rejoice with them, and - finally - helps us grieve for them. She tells a story of a grand love amidst the losses - including the human created tragedies - laying out the horror, injustice, and futility without proselytizing. The historical details are accurate and fascinating: from an immigrant's experiences right off the boat, to a New York City shoe-shine stand, onto a riverboat, along the Oregon trail, in the gold fields of California, McCollum weaves a story that builds to a climax that is both heart-breaking and hopeful.
This is a novel with lesbian characters but, despite its historical accuracy regarding social strictures and the secrecy and furtiveness that enforces, Golddigger becomes much more than just a lesbian historical romance. McCollum tells a story of family, hope, courage, survival and redemption that transcends a narrow genre - a universal story whose strong central characters happen to be lesbians.
Note / possible spoiler: There is one off-note when a peripheral character suddenly turns up gay in the last chapter. I'm all for building the team, but it feels forced, awkward, and pointless. It is the only stumble in an otherwise compelling, cover-to-cover page turner.
McCollum brings the reader into the families she creates, makes us care about them, lets us rejoice with them, and - finally - helps us grieve for them. She tells a story of a grand love amidst the losses - including the human created tragedies - laying out the horror, injustice, and futility without proselytizing. The historical details are accurate and fascinating: from an immigrant's experiences right off the boat, to a New York City shoe-shine stand, onto a riverboat, along the Oregon trail, in the gold fields of California, McCollum weaves a story that builds to a climax that is both heart-breaking and hopeful.
This is a novel with lesbian characters but, despite its historical accuracy regarding social strictures and the secrecy and furtiveness that enforces, Golddigger becomes much more than just a lesbian historical romance. McCollum tells a story of family, hope, courage, survival and redemption that transcends a narrow genre - a universal story whose strong central characters happen to be lesbians.
Note / possible spoiler: There is one off-note when a peripheral character suddenly turns up gay in the last chapter. I'm all for building the team, but it feels forced, awkward, and pointless. It is the only stumble in an otherwise compelling, cover-to-cover page turner.
August 22, 2018
I consumed Hilary McCollum's beautiful historical novel, Golddigger, in one sitting. It is so exquisite I couldn't leave it be. There is such powerful storytelling in ‘Frankie’s’ spellbinding narrative, told over two time period arcs in alternate chapters, one focusing on her life and love in Ireland in the time of the Irish Famine and the other following Frankie's journey from New York in her guise as a shoeshine boy, to California, where she's searching for gold and, well, you'll have to wait and see.
A lesbian love affair set against the traumatic backdrop of the Irish famine, Catholic and cultural tradition and expectation, and the Californian gold rush. It's one to push to the top of your TBR.
A lesbian love affair set against the traumatic backdrop of the Irish famine, Catholic and cultural tradition and expectation, and the Californian gold rush. It's one to push to the top of your TBR.
October 14, 2024
It is a great rendition of the plight of the Irish during the famine that led Frankie to emigrate to the USA and cross country in a wagon train chasing California gold.
Frankie is a strong, well rounded character, her determination is paramount to the story.
The author sets the background nicely by time-shifting alternate chapters between Frankie's current situation and the past events that led to her immigration, allowing the reader to understand what drives her.
Historically accurate, the author has put a great deal of effort into maintaining the accuracy of the times and showing a very real insight into what everyday life was like.
Frankie is a strong, well rounded character, her determination is paramount to the story.
The author sets the background nicely by time-shifting alternate chapters between Frankie's current situation and the past events that led to her immigration, allowing the reader to understand what drives her.
Historically accurate, the author has put a great deal of effort into maintaining the accuracy of the times and showing a very real insight into what everyday life was like.
December 30, 2021
One of my best reads in 2021 - esp. the descriptions of Ireland before the big fame and during it were epic. What a great book.
August 21, 2023
Beautiful book, well written and researched. Emotional and satisfying
September 22, 2016
Fantastic, powerfully written book.
It's hard for me to find good historical fiction with lesbians as the main character and lesbian romance as a main part of the plot. This book delivers in every way. The writing is excellent, some passages so clear and succinct, rousing images and feelings to the mind. The detail to history makes it feel like a living thing, like we really are in 1860s Ireland and America, seeing the slave trade in the South and journeying in a wagon to California. The character, Frances or Frankie Moriarty, is both extraordinary and ordinary at once, a woman who must take on a man's role and appearance to survive alone, but never stops being and identifying as a woman.
And the love story. Damn, the love story. Don't expect long drawn out love scene but do expect love, and passion, and joy, and sadness, the kind of love that can't be denied even if it must be kept secret.
I cried at the end of this book. But I want to read it again, another time, just to relive the moments and savor those beautiful words.
If you like lesbian historical romance, this is definitely the book for you.
It's hard for me to find good historical fiction with lesbians as the main character and lesbian romance as a main part of the plot. This book delivers in every way. The writing is excellent, some passages so clear and succinct, rousing images and feelings to the mind. The detail to history makes it feel like a living thing, like we really are in 1860s Ireland and America, seeing the slave trade in the South and journeying in a wagon to California. The character, Frances or Frankie Moriarty, is both extraordinary and ordinary at once, a woman who must take on a man's role and appearance to survive alone, but never stops being and identifying as a woman.
And the love story. Damn, the love story. Don't expect long drawn out love scene but do expect love, and passion, and joy, and sadness, the kind of love that can't be denied even if it must be kept secret.
I cried at the end of this book. But I want to read it again, another time, just to relive the moments and savor those beautiful words.
If you like lesbian historical romance, this is definitely the book for you.
October 29, 2017
This book is a real page-turner, it weaves together the Californian gold rush present and the past in a way that makes it hard to put the book down. Yet the author manages so well to build sympathy for the main character and bring to life the hardships of the Irish famine, that at points it is almost too painful to continue reading. Love and farewells are depicted with great poignancy in a story of courage and hope. I am eagerly looking forward to Hilary McCollom’s next book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews