Younger Than Springtime

O'Malley's (Family Saga) #3

by Andrew M. Greeley

The bestselling author of A Midwinter's Tale returns with a heartfelt sequel

Father Andrew M. Greeley returns to the saga of the O'Malley family with his signature blend of humor, classic American values and heart-rending storytelling.

Charles "Chucky" Cronin has come home to Chicago in one piece after a chaotic tour in post WWII Germany. And though his family thinks he's "become a man," Chucky knows he still has a lot of growing up to do. Anxious to attend Notre Dame and get his life back on in order, Chucky is quickly sidetracked by the beautiful, raven-haired, haunting (and haunted) Rosemarie, a girl as fresh-faced and clever as she is doomed. Conflicts with a mob boss and a tendency to ruffle the feathers of those in charge combine to land Chucky in even more hot water. Luckily, a quick wit and an old fashioned sense of right and wrong (along with a dose of Heavenly help) save him when tensions reach the boiling point. Can Chucky come of age in a difficult and heady time, holding on to his integrity while discovering the secret to love?

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Literature

480 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Andrew Greeley was a Roman Catholic priest, sociologist, journalist, and author of 50 best-selling novels and more than 100 works of nonfiction. For decades, Greeley entertained readers with such popular characters as the mystery-solving priest Blackie Ryan and the fey, amateur sleuth Nuala Anne McGrail. His books typically center on Irish-American Roman Catholics living or working in Chicago.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/andrew...

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andrew Greeley is one of my favorite fiction authors. His books are intelligent, interesting, and full of wisdom. He was a Catholic priest with a good understanding of the true love of God. His books are real and in no way 'preachy'. Each has a strong undercurrent of the way ideal love could be between a man and a woman, but they are not strictly sappy, ridiculous, bodice ripper love stories. He weaves a lot of historical fiction throughout and his stories flow. This one is a fictionalized memoir within a memoir, son and also father, and I really enjoyed it.

[Patrick Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The continuing story of Chuckie O'Malley . Now at Notre Dame and enamored not so much with accounting as photography, Chuckie predictably finds hot water and hot feelings toward the ever present Rosemary Clancy. Greeley's books are pure nostalgia and no matter where Chuckie's unerring knack for trouble leads him, all will be well in the end. This is a well told story with more than the usual Catholic angst about lust and love.

[Ginny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it a little off putting that every young woman in this book is brilliant, beautiful, and still in her teens. Parts of the plot were at least mildly interesting, but it seemed to lack real focus. Most interesting was Greeley's depiction of Norte Dame. He assures the reader that is an accurate picture of what the university was like in the late 1940's.

[Mauricio · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not much into rose novels. It was entertained imaging those years as my parents' years. Besides that, not much to comment.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

#3 of a series. So very good, and feel good.

[Gerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

The adventures and misadventures of the Crazy O’Malleys continue in this second part of the six-part series, most prominently featuring their son Charles Cronin “Chucky Ducky” O’Malley, who recently returned from his two years of post-World War II active duty as a part of the US Army of Occupation in the Constabulary Regiment in Bamberg, Germany. Chucky turns his attention to continuing his education at Notre Dame University and soon runs into unexpected trouble there. Before he realizes it, he has been dis-enrolled at Notre Dame and become a student at The University of Chicago, joining his “adoptive” (informally) sister Rosemarie Helen Clancy. All Chucky wants to be is a simple accountant, but Rosemarie, with whom Chucky finds himself falling in love, has different plans for him, i.e., as a supremely talented professional photographer. Chucky protests that he is merely a plain old "picture taker." Naturally, Rosemarie prevails.

This second volume is both humorous and heart-warming. Father Greeley is a wonderful storyteller who brings his characters alive. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and very much recommend it to others.

[Book 16 of 2013 Target 50 (Jan-6; Feb-3; Mar-3; Apr-4)]

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a love/hate relationship going on as I read this book. I love the O'Malley family but had difficulty with the memoir portion in the middle.....almost as if I was reading 2 separate books. Yet I had to finish the book because it was a worthwhile read. Love the history of the 1920s and 1940s.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Andrew M Greeley novels. Don't bother asking me why, but I especially love the O'Malleys.

[Pat Baratta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second book in the O'Malley series. Takes place in the late 40's early 50's.

[Clifford Wollum · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story written in first person, a love story of the roaring twenties and 1949. The setting, characterization outstanding. The main characters one gets to know like the back of one's hand.

[Elizabeth Martel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little slow to get into...but that may have more to do with the fact that I hadn't read the first book. Enjoyable characters, I'm looking forward to the next in the series

[Linda Lahti milne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dear Mr. Greeley
Please do not write any more books. This was pretty bad.
Thank you
An ex-reader of your books

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of all of Father Greeley's books!

[Jim Moffett · Rating 4 out of 5]

09-99

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bored. Did not finish.

[Linda Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

another great andrew Greeley book!

[Marianne]

A lovely story. Love this family and their adventures, loves and losses.