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A Prodigal Return
It's the 1880's and James and Mary McGrother's family have been divided by emigration, like many of their neighbours in the village of Blackrock in county Louth. The couple who survived the Great Hunger have had to watch more than half their family leave the parish. The responsibility to care for one another extends beyond blood or marriage ties for the McGrother family in New York, when a young Irishman goes missing in America. Back in Ireland, at a time when James and Mary least expect it, a family member returns - but not everyone is pleased with the reunion.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2016
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76 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 3, 2020
The fifth volume of An Irish Family Saga, this work deals with travails of Irish migrants in U.S. and with family back home, still avoiding pointing an accusing word at the English or British, but instead pointing at Irish themselves for not being beyond joining those extorting slave labour from migrants and keeping them not only miserable but in danger of life unless they complied.
Thomas is asked by his father to investigate about a son of a neighbour back home, and is now himself is in danger.
Family back home meanwhile is joined by MaryAnne, presumably the prodigal of the title, who's brought George, her own son by Gilmore, although she maintains she's adopted the orphaned boy who's care she was given by his dead mother. Gilmore was never enamoured with her, only used her, and she was shrewd enough to have used blackmail to get money and saved it, enough to buy her own place in Blackrock to open a lodging house and a tea room.
Her return has brought strife back, although Mary and James love their daughter, even though their youngest son Jamie and his wife cannot stand her. Jamie is upright, but James, who's proud of him, has to warn his youngest about staying away from wrong kind of rebels.
The author ends this one with Thomas and Patrick, having rescued Petey, have a chill between them about Patrick's killing of a dangerous man on trail of Thomas, and MaryAnne unnerved at her own reaction to sergeant Broderick courting her. James and Mary are still unaware about George being their own grandson, and Jamie has arrived at a compromise with his wife working for MaryAnne - Annie can cook in her own kitchen and deliver it without entering MaryAnne's home.
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Merged review:
The fifth volume of An Irish Family Saga, this work deals with travails of Irish migrants in U.S. and with family back home, still avoiding pointing an accusing word at the English or British, but instead pointing at Irish themselves for not being beyond joining those extorting slave labour from migrants and keeping them not only miserable but in danger of life unless they complied.
Thomas is asked by his father to investigate about a son of a neighbour back home, and is now himself is in danger.
Family back home meanwhile is joined by MaryAnne, presumably the prodigal of the title, who's brought George, her own son by Gilmore, although she maintains she's adopted the orphaned boy who's care she was given by his dead mother. Gilmore was never enamoured with her, only used her, and she was shrewd enough to have used blackmail to get money and saved it, enough to buy her own place in Blackrock to open a lodging house and a tea room.
Her return has brought strife back, although Mary and James love their daughter, even though their youngest son Jamie and his wife cannot stand her. Jamie is upright, but James, who's proud of him, has to warn his youngest about staying away from wrong kind of rebels.
The author ends this one with Thomas and Patrick, having rescued Petey, have a chill between them about Patrick's killing of a dangerous man on trail of Thomas, and MaryAnne unnerved at her own reaction to sergeant Broderick courting her. James and Mary are still unaware about George being their own grandson, and Jamie has arrived at a compromise with his wife working for MaryAnne - Annie can cook in her own kitchen and deliver it without entering MaryAnne's home.
................................................
................................................
Thomas is asked by his father to investigate about a son of a neighbour back home, and is now himself is in danger.
Family back home meanwhile is joined by MaryAnne, presumably the prodigal of the title, who's brought George, her own son by Gilmore, although she maintains she's adopted the orphaned boy who's care she was given by his dead mother. Gilmore was never enamoured with her, only used her, and she was shrewd enough to have used blackmail to get money and saved it, enough to buy her own place in Blackrock to open a lodging house and a tea room.
Her return has brought strife back, although Mary and James love their daughter, even though their youngest son Jamie and his wife cannot stand her. Jamie is upright, but James, who's proud of him, has to warn his youngest about staying away from wrong kind of rebels.
The author ends this one with Thomas and Patrick, having rescued Petey, have a chill between them about Patrick's killing of a dangerous man on trail of Thomas, and MaryAnne unnerved at her own reaction to sergeant Broderick courting her. James and Mary are still unaware about George being their own grandson, and Jamie has arrived at a compromise with his wife working for MaryAnne - Annie can cook in her own kitchen and deliver it without entering MaryAnne's home.
................................................
................................................
Merged review:
The fifth volume of An Irish Family Saga, this work deals with travails of Irish migrants in U.S. and with family back home, still avoiding pointing an accusing word at the English or British, but instead pointing at Irish themselves for not being beyond joining those extorting slave labour from migrants and keeping them not only miserable but in danger of life unless they complied.
Thomas is asked by his father to investigate about a son of a neighbour back home, and is now himself is in danger.
Family back home meanwhile is joined by MaryAnne, presumably the prodigal of the title, who's brought George, her own son by Gilmore, although she maintains she's adopted the orphaned boy who's care she was given by his dead mother. Gilmore was never enamoured with her, only used her, and she was shrewd enough to have used blackmail to get money and saved it, enough to buy her own place in Blackrock to open a lodging house and a tea room.
Her return has brought strife back, although Mary and James love their daughter, even though their youngest son Jamie and his wife cannot stand her. Jamie is upright, but James, who's proud of him, has to warn his youngest about staying away from wrong kind of rebels.
The author ends this one with Thomas and Patrick, having rescued Petey, have a chill between them about Patrick's killing of a dangerous man on trail of Thomas, and MaryAnne unnerved at her own reaction to sergeant Broderick courting her. James and Mary are still unaware about George being their own grandson, and Jamie has arrived at a compromise with his wife working for MaryAnne - Annie can cook in her own kitchen and deliver it without entering MaryAnne's home.
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October 13, 2016
A good book
I have thoroughly thoroughly enjoyed this book am looking forward to book 6 coming up for sale I just hope it will be soon
I have thoroughly thoroughly enjoyed this book am looking forward to book 6 coming up for sale I just hope it will be soon
October 15, 2016
Another world
Good series about life in Ireland. Simple, moves fast, a continuing saga. Short reads covering each generation and the trials they faced.
Good series about life in Ireland. Simple, moves fast, a continuing saga. Short reads covering each generation and the trials they faced.
January 23, 2020
Patrick and Catherine Gallagher are now living in New York, with Grandparents still in Ireland. The story continues but with new adventures, and some new additions to the family. Patrick's brother Thomas, lives in New York, while Thomas' daughter remains in Ireland with her grandparents. Thomas' sister Mary Ann, an intelligent and opinionated girl has a few adventures of her own. The two of them are like “cat and dog.” Catherine still carries a secret, Thomas still has strong opinions and uses what means he can to help others. He is asked to rescue an Irishman who goes missing in America. The story flows quite smoothly and easy to read. The author does good characterization and verbal interaction. She supports her facts with variable sources, giving links where one may do his own research into the Irish history. This book is suitable for most readers.
January 1, 2020
Another great book in this series
Book five was another great read. This book mostly covered the families that had already immigrated to America. Book five also told the story of Petey being a slave in the mines and how.Patrick and his brother in law helped rescue him. This book was more of a thriller than the previous books due to getting Petey away safely and treating men Thomas and Patrick were dealing with. I also loved the first big fight for the newlyweds and how she stood her ground. A great lesson.
Book five was another great read. This book mostly covered the families that had already immigrated to America. Book five also told the story of Petey being a slave in the mines and how.Patrick and his brother in law helped rescue him. This book was more of a thriller than the previous books due to getting Petey away safely and treating men Thomas and Patrick were dealing with. I also loved the first big fight for the newlyweds and how she stood her ground. A great lesson.
June 9, 2017
Sarah, Elkton patron, June 2017, 5 stars:
A Prodigal Return is book 5 in An Irish Family Saga. I enjoy this series even though it is fiction it is based on Ireland history and follows a family through generations.
A Prodigal Return is book 5 in An Irish Family Saga. I enjoy this series even though it is fiction it is based on Ireland history and follows a family through generations.
September 6, 2019
Hoopla audio This was just OK and maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't listened to 3 in a row. Will take a break and look for the 6th book in this series, but not for awhile....
October 3, 2016
Let the Saga continue.... Please!
I gave five stars for the entire 5 book series. I read the first three a year or so back and when I learned the other two were available I had to have them. I couldn't pick up where I left off, I started at book one anew, and read them all, back to back. I couldn't tell you how many historical novels I have read but I can tell you this ranks right up there with Leon Uris' Trinity. Jean is an excellent story teller, I loved having to use the dictionary for some of the Irish words. Having lived in County Donegal gave me a leg up on visualizing places and scenes presented. This is the "Celtic at Heart" persons must read. Don't waste another day, graphics your cuppa and take this marvelous journey.
I gave five stars for the entire 5 book series. I read the first three a year or so back and when I learned the other two were available I had to have them. I couldn't pick up where I left off, I started at book one anew, and read them all, back to back. I couldn't tell you how many historical novels I have read but I can tell you this ranks right up there with Leon Uris' Trinity. Jean is an excellent story teller, I loved having to use the dictionary for some of the Irish words. Having lived in County Donegal gave me a leg up on visualizing places and scenes presented. This is the "Celtic at Heart" persons must read. Don't waste another day, graphics your cuppa and take this marvelous journey.
October 6, 2016
I enjoyed all five books so far. Please let me know when the sixth book is available.
Very good. Waiting for next book to come out. please let me know when it is available. Thank you, Letty patti
Very good. Waiting for next book to come out. please let me know when it is available. Thank you, Letty patti
October 7, 2016
Interesting read
I've read all 5 of the series but find this story my least favorite. Although the story line is good, it just didn't hold my interest as well as all previous 4 books. This being said, I look forward to reading book 6.
I've read all 5 of the series but find this story my least favorite. Although the story line is good, it just didn't hold my interest as well as all previous 4 books. This being said, I look forward to reading book 6.
November 4, 2016
I don't understand why you need a book report after a book has been read if I finish a book that it is worth reading
I don't like that you expect a book report on every book started. This was ok but this report will not make anyone want read it
I don't like that you expect a book report on every book started. This was ok but this report will not make anyone want read it
October 7, 2016
A very compelling read
Once again I choose 5 stars as the story was another compelling read. A book I couldn't put down. I can't wait for book 6 to come out.
Once again I choose 5 stars as the story was another compelling read. A book I couldn't put down. I can't wait for book 6 to come out.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews