The Girls of Ennismore

by Patricia Falvey

For fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age, explore the dazzling world of America’s 19th century elite in this lush, page-turning saga…

Set in Ireland during the turbulent early 20th century, Patricia Falvey's sweeping novel explores an unlikely friendship between two girls of vastly different backgrounds, as each tries to overcome the barriers set by class and birthright...

On a June morning in 1900, Rosie Killeen crosses the road that divides her family's County Mayo farm from the estate of Lord and Lady Ennis, and makes her way to the "big house" for the first time. Barely eight years old, Rosie joins the throng of servants preparing for the arrival of Queen Victoria. But while the royal visit is a coup for Ennismore, a chance meeting on the grounds proves even more momentous for Rosie.

Victoria Bell, Lord and Lady Ennis's young daughter, is desperately lonely. Though the children of the gentry seldom fraternize with locals, Lord Ennis arranges for Rosie to join in Victoria's school lessons. For Rosie, the opportunity is exhilarating yet isolating. Victoria's governess and aunt, Lady Louisa, objects to teaching a peasant girl. The other servants resent Rosie's escape from the drudgery of life below stairs. Bright, strong-willed Rosie finds herself caught between her own people and the rarefied air of Ennismore--especially as she grows closer to Victoria's older brother, Valentine.

As they near womanhood, the girls' friendship is interrupted. Victoria is bound for a coming out season in Dublin, and Rosie must find a way to support her family. But Ireland is changing too. The country's struggle for Home Rule, the outbreak of the Great War, and a looming Easter rebellion in Dublin all herald a new era. Not even Ennismore can escape unscathed. And for Rosie, family loyalty, love, friendship and patriotism will collide in life-changing ways, leading her through heartbreak and loss in search of her own triumphant independence.

Advance praise for The Girls of Ennismore

“An evocative, heartfelt story of how the bond of female friendship can survive and thrive through adversity. Beautifully drawn, full of rich historical detail, and with a truest Irish sense of place, I was seduced from page one.” —Kate Kerrigan, New York Times bestselling author of Ellis Island

“Two friends, born of vastly different worlds, dare to defy convention and the strict bindings of societal class in Falvey’s latest novel. Rich in authentic historical and Irish detail, The Girls of Ennismore is a compelling story of love, duty, and reinvention, highlighting the vast rewards—or grave consequences—of following one’s heart. Fans of Downton Abbey will devour this sweeping tale.” —Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of The Edge of Lost

“A captivating portrayal of life in Ireland—above and below stairs—during the years leading up to the Great War and the Irish rebellion. Engaging, atmospheric and packed with rich historical detail. I thoroughly enjoyed The Girls of Ennismore .” —Hazel Gaynor, author of The Girl from The Savoy

Genres: Historical Fiction, Ireland, Fiction, Historical, Irish Literature, Adult, 20th Century

448 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 28, 2017

About the author

Patricia Falvey is an Irish-born writer living in Dallas, Texas. She is the author of 5 novels, all with a connection to Ireland: The Yellow House; The Linen Queen; The Girls of Ennismore; The Titanic Sisters; and, most recently, The Famine Orphans which will be released on May 27, 2025.

Patricia immigrated alone to the U.S. at the age of 20 and forged a long and successful career in the financial services industry, rising to a Managing Director for a major consulting firm where she oversaw a national tax practice. However, she never lost sight of her dream of becoming a published author and in 2008 walked away from her old career to give her dream a chance. In 2010 her courage was rewarded with the publication of The Yellow House. She views this phase of her life as her “Second Act” and strongly encourages anyone with a dream to pursue it no matter what their age. It’s never too late!

When not traveling around the scenic backroads of her beloved Ireland doing research and visiting friends and family, Patricia likes hanging out with good friends in Texas and enjoying the “craic” - which loosely translated from the Gaelic means lively conversation, storytelling, laughter and good times.

For more on Patricia and her books, visit her website at : www.patriciafalveybooks.com

Reviews

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really intense for me. So much going on here. This book is no lightweight!
This book is based on what the author experienced growing up in Ireland and stories she heard from relatives about working "at the big house". The book takes place in the early 20th century in Ireland. Rosie,crosses the road dividing her poor family's house to join the servants at Ennismore hoping to get a glimpse of Queen Victoria as she visits there. Upon chance she meets the young daughter of the house and helps her out. The daughter, Victoria is so lonely she asks for Rosie to be in the classroom with her to receive an education. Reluctantly her parents agree. This sets into motion a friendship. When Victoria is 16 she is ready for her first season and is sent away for training. For the first time the girls feel the social class differences. These class differences are shown many times during the book. I feel that Victoria and her brother Valentine did stand up to their parents for what they felt was right, most of the time. The parents were so rigid in the beliefs and did not care what their children thought or felt as long as it didn't disgrace them in society. Such a difference in class between the below stairs servants and the lord and lady of the manor. I could really feel for the servants as they were basically ignored and the upper crust of the manor didn't even know their names. Victoria and Valentine are not unfeeling like their parents though and form relationships with the lower class. When Rosie is older she goes out and works to help support her family, which is a good thing. Her sister, Birdie was working in the big house but goes away and gets married to a drinker and lives poorly. There are many tragedies and triumphs here! Changes must be made as the country struggles for Home Rule, the coming of the Great War, and an inevitable Easter rebellion in Dublin all heralding in a new era. This book is absolutely packed with rich historical detail that will have you reading far into the night to finish it.
I absolutely loved this book and will now look into more books by this author.
Pub Date 28 Mar 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weird new updates here. I accidentally pressed the back button and my review erased!!! GRRRRRR!!

"I hope "The Girls of Ennismore" will not only preserve memories of the way things were, but will imbue readers with an appreciation of the courage and passion with which the people of Mayo, despite their status, faced the challenges of changing Ireland." -- From the Author's Note

I have a bias for Patricia Falvey. I have loved all her books but my favorite has been "The Yellow House." "Ennismore" was full of history in Ireland and looking into the future and away from British rule and hiearchy. The author did a great job in adding the Home Rule in midst of the Great War while the looming of the Easter rebellion in Dublin was scaring the Lords and the Sirs and Madam's that were trying to hold on to the old ways. I liked the characters especially the friendships of the MCs Victoria Bell and Rosie Killeen. I liked how the book transported me to a time that was long enough ago that it might be as well forgotten. The author does a great job of incorporating the tragic past of Ireland and the bravery of those young men and women that believed in something so much that they paid with their lives just to be free of English rule and have higher wages and position regardless of the life into which one was born.

I will have to add that if you loved "Downton Abbey" you will absolutely love "Ennismore." It has the servant side of things, gossip and betrayal, and the interesting main characters. This was an Irish "Downton Abbey" for sure. Such a good, engaging read. Not a chick-lit, although there are a couple of love stories.

[Kellie O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.8 shinning stars from me!!

" I hope The Girls Of Ennismore will not only preserve memories of the way things were, but will imbue readers with an appreciation of the courage and passion with which the people of Mayo, despite their status,faced the challenge of a changing Ireland."
- Patricia Falvey

I really wanted to read this book for a long time and I am extremely happy that I got a chance to read it!! I love stories about Ireland and to read about Ireland and it's history from 1900 - 1917 was truly a blessing!

This story begins in 1900 when Rosie was 8 years old and Victoria was 7 years old. Rosie is a poor farmers daughter who's choices as she was growing up were to work in the " Big House" as a maid or join the convent. The best of the choices is to work in the " Big House" aka Ennismore. Bridie is her sister and she works in Ennismore. Rosie doesn't even want to go there... only one day she has to go to Ennismore because the Queen was coming to visit Lord and Lady Ennis. She has to keep Bridies job secure because Bridie is unwell. This day changes the lives of Rosie and Victoria for life.

Victoria is the youngest daughter of the Ennis family. She has two older brothers, Thomas and Valentine. Victoria is a lonely little girl and when she meets Rosie, she begs her parents to let them become friends. This goes against all rules of social status. The poor friends with the rich, unheard of!! Victoria has a wide future ahead of her and must follow the rules of social status and maintain the family name. As you can guess, they become friends. This is the time of Lords and Ladies, manners and the obvious differences in classes. The descriptions of the dresses, the land and houses make you feel as if you are there.

I really enjoyed hearing the conversations of the maids, butler and cooks in Ennismore. How the Ennis family has a different view of the same situations! It talks about the Titanic,The Easter Uprising, Home Rule and much more history of Ireland. The characters are believable and relatable. Rosie is courageous, strong and determined to make a wonderful life for herself. Victoria is struggling with the social status and maintaining a friendship with Rosie while trying to please her family and herself. This is a beautiful story of family, friends and courage while Ireland is changing all around them. It's rich in history and love. It's a beautiful and heartwarming tale. When you read this book, please read the Authors Notes to learn how this book came to be!! Happy Father's Day, Happy Reading and Enjoy!! I very highly recommend this emotionally moving book!! 😃🇮🇪💚🍀

[MaryannC Victorian Dreamer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 Stars

Very reminiscent of Downton Abbey but taking place in Ireland this novel centers heavily on class distinction between the servants and the gentry of the grand home Ennismore. With a large cast of characters to add to the storyline there is also romance, drama and scandal set right before and during the Great War. Still feeling the loss of Downton Abbey being gone, this helped to ease my need to revisit a long gone era of grand homes and the people who served them.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a block buster type novel. It is set in Ireland over the course of the years from 1906 to just after World War 1.
The main characters are Victoria, the daughter of the Big House and Rosie, the girl she picks for her friend who is the daughter of a tenant farmer of said house. I would also class the house Ennismore as one of the characters of this novel. We meet Victoria's family and learn a lot about what goes on between the servants below stairs and the family upstairs.
There are a lot of tensions and undercurrents in this story. Ireland was a bubbling cauldron of trouble at this time. The Irish people were very bitter about England taking the land and using them as cheap labour. There was severe poverty in Ireland at the time but the big land owners didn't suffer.
As the story moves on we encounter World War 1 and the Easter Rising of 1916 in Dublin. This is written very well and gives some idea of what happened at the time.
For me there is a theme of thoughtlessness and selfishness running through the book. Victoria requests that Rosie be her friend without any thought to how Rosie would feel about it. When she went off to Dublin for her season, Rosie was left behind and not once did Victoria wonder how she felt. Rosie was between worlds at this stage, belonging to neither.
Then Rosie left and never gave a thought to how her parents would feel. I don't think she even considered them until she needed to come home when things went wrong in Dublin. She fell out with Victoria and wouldn't have anything to do with her.

I loved all the history in this book. There are other characters too who I enjoyed reading about. Lady Ennis, Victoria's mother, was a piece of work and very well written. The butler and housekeeper reminded me of Carson and Mrs Hughes in Downton Abbey.

I couldn't take to Rosie. She blamed others all the way through for everything that happened to her. Her righteous indignation, which occurred many times, got on my nerves. I preferred Victoria but to be honest I wouldn't say I loved any of them.

It's a great read though and I'm grateful to Deanne for recommending it to me.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will read anything that pertains to Ireland, particularly when it involves the Easter Rising. If a rating was solely based on the setting of a novel, it would have been five stars. It even does a good job of showing how complicated lives became during the WWI/Easter Rising period. However, the more I got into the book, the more problems I encountered. Although marketed as exploring "an unlikely friendship between two girls of vastly different backgrounds" it is really not that at all. In truth it is the story of Rosie, tenant farmer's daughter, and her ill-advised love for a boy from the gentry.

The Girls of Ennismore is full of tropes (it relies on one in particular so heavily as to apply it to no less than three different plots) and predictable from the outset, but I probably would have still enjoyed if it wasn't for poor character development. Ms. Falvey has a tendency to set things up well and then skip over the important parts by just telling us they happened instead of letting us experience them. Such a method of moving the story along meant that I never believed the "best" friendship between the titular girls existed. The more we got told they were best friends, the less I believed it because the foundation was never sufficiently established. I desperately wanted this book to be about their friendship, but instead it just used their knowing each other as a starting point for us to go on Rosie's romantic journey. I also found it incredibly distracting that the characters used each other's names in almost every sentence of dialogue, something no one ever does in real life, which regularly took me out of the story. Mostly though, I think if this had been the book it purported to be I would have adored it. Instead I was left saddened by what I got, particularly since I didn't like Rosie enough to care what happened to her. At least it left me missing Ireland.

[Denise Touvell · Rating 2 out of 5]

The similarities between this book and Downton Abbey are astonishing. The heir dies on the Titanic, the daughter loves a servant and becomes a nurse, the head butler and housekeeper are engaged; it went on and on. How the "girls" stories wove through 30 years of Irish history was interesting but I can't give this book even one (additional) star for originality.

[Joleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Because I thought this might be a cleaner Victorian Era, English/Irish story (which I'm more familiar with and would be to my liking), I was surprised how crass the language became the further I got into the book.

Oh, the story is so similar to Downton Abbey, with a certain Irish footman angry with the gentry, hoping for an uprising, and the servants telling the downstairs staff the latest gossip of the lords and ladies upstairs. And descriptions of the vast differences between the classes were enlightening.

That was pretty tame but it just kept getting worse. Foul language, premarital goings-on, using each other for their own ends...

If this story were a bit more G-rated, it would have been fantastic. My cleaner sensitivities didn't care for the presentation.

As for the audio presentation: Excellent! Alana Kerr Collins did a masterful job of both male and female British and Irish voices. Hearing the foul language in a thick Irish brogue was oddly more palatable than what we hear in America, but still took me aback as I cannot abide foul expletives.

[RoseMary Achey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot of this novel is extremely similar to Downton Abbey with the exception of the Easter Rising and it takes place in Ireland. The story of two young women from different classes during the early twentieth century. Class structure was determined at birth and it was rare to "rise above your station". I did learn a great deal about the struggles of the Irish to become independent from Great Britain and the historically significant Easter Rising.

[Getalocalife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ένα πραγματικά πολύ καλογραμμένο βιβλίο που με κέρδισε από τη πρώτη σελίδα. Η φιλία δύο κοριτσιών από διαφορετικές κοινωνικές τάξεις και η εξέλιξη της σε έναν κόσμο που αλλάζει. Στην Ιρλανδία των αρχών του 20ου αιώνα, τα δύο κορίτσια γνωρίζουν τον έρωτα , αμφισβητούν τις κοινωνικές νόρμες και αλλάζουν για να μπορέσουν να επιβιώσουν. Το αγάπησα και αν είχε περισσότερα από 5 αστέρια, θα τα έβαζα

[Chronicroqueusedelivres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Je me suis lancée dans dans la lecture de ce livre car il fait parti de la collection Le Cercle chez Belfond, je ne savais pas trop à quoi m’attendre, mais j’étais confiante et à raison car j’ai été complètement embarquée dans cette lecture. C’est une lecture entrainante, qui m’a fait penser à un mélange de Downton Abbey et L’amie prodigieuse. Nous suivons la vie d’une grande maison avec habitée par la famille de la haute société et les serviteurs et on se concentre sur une amitié très forte entre deux jeunes filles. Je remercie chaleureusement les éditions Belfond et Netgalley pour cette lecture que j’ai beaucoup aimée.

Rosie est une jeune fille qui vit à la ferme avec sa famille, elle va rencontrer par hasard Victoria, fille du seigneur qui possède les terres que son père cultive et habite. Victoria est très seule et elle va sauter sur l’occasion de se faire une amie de son age. Rosie se laisse embarquer dans cette amitié qui devient fusionnelle, les filles sont vite inséparables. Elles grandissent et rêvent ensemble mais les choses évoluent et changent pour chacune d’elles.
Les conventions sociales, la lutte des classes, le besoin d’émancipation vont faire que les vies des deux filles se mêlent, se démêlent, s’éloignent et se décroissent au fil du temps.

J’ai beaucoup aimé cette lecture qui nous plonge au coeur de l’Irlande au tout début du 20e siècle, le contexte est explosif, la lutte des classes est très présente et tout cela est très bien rendu par l’auteure, c’est présent et bien mené, sans apporter de lourdeur ou de longueur je trouve. Il y a le déclin de l’aristocratie, la lutte des classes, la pauvreté, la question de l’indépendance de l’Irlande et Les pâques sanglante, tout est évoqué et bien dosé, ancré à l’histoire et aux personnages car c’est avant tout une histoire d’amitié et d’amour aussi avec les romances des filles.
mon avis complet sur le blog : https://chronicroqueusedelivres.com/2...

[Γιώτα Παπαδημακοπούλου · Rating 5 out of 5]

Λατρεύω τα μυθιστορήματα που τοποθετούνται σε ένα ιστορικό πλαίσιο που αν και δεν απέχει και πάρα πολύ από την δική μας εποχή, χρονικά, μοιάζει να τα χωρίζει ένα χάσμα αιώνων. Αυτό είναι κάτι που έχω δηλώσει πολλάκις και που κάτι μου λέει πως θα το δηλώσω άλλες τόσες φορές, ίσως κι ακόμα περισσότερες, στο μέλλον. Αρκεί, φυσικά, να μου δίνεται η ευκαιρία, διαβάζοντας κάποια νέα ιστορία που να τοποθετείται στο συγκεκριμένο χρονικό πλαίσιο, ώστε να μου δώσει το κίνητρο. Μια ιστορία, για παράδειγμα, όπως αυτή των "Κοριτσιών του Ένισμορ" της Patricia Falvey η οποία, επηρεασμένη από προσωπικές της εμπειρίες μεγαλώνοντας στην Ιρλανδία, αλλά κι από ιστορίες που αφορούν την οικογένειά της μέσα στο πέρασμα των δεκαετιών, με ό,τι αυτό συνεπάγεται, έγραψε ένα από τα πιο όμορφα και ολοκληρωμένα βιβλία στο είδος του.

Βρισκόμαστε στην Ιρλανδία, στις αρχές του 20ου αιώνα. Μια σειρά γεγονότων που θα μπορούσαν να χαρακτηριστούν τυχαία, θα φέρουν μαζί δύο κορίτσια διαφορετικής καταγωγής και κοινωνικής τάξεως, στο αρχοντικό των Ένισμορ, προκειμένου να παρακολουθήσουν μαθήματα και να διευρύνουν τους μορφωτικούς τους ορίζοντες. Τα κορίτσια αυτά δεν είναι άλλα από την Ρόζι Κιλίν, κόρη αγροτικής οικογένειας, και την Βικτόρια Μπελ, κόρη αριστοκρατικής γενιάς αντίστοιχα. Και παρά τις μεγάλες διαφορές τους, τα δύο κορίτσια θα έρθουν υπερβολικά κοντά και μεταξύ τους θα αναπτυχθεί μια δυνατή και βαθιά φιλία. Ωστόσο, μεγαλώνοντας, θα αναγκαστούν ν' απομακρυνθούν η μία από την άλλη καθώς, πλέον, το χάσμα που τις χωρίζει, κοινωνικά και ταξικά, είναι τόσο μεγάλο κι επιτακτικό που δεν μπορεί να κρυφτεί. Η Βικτόρια εκπαιδεύεται να γίνει μια ακόμα νωχελική αριστοκράτισσα, την ίδια ώρα που η Ρόζι εργάζεται ως υπηρέτρια της τάξης της πρώτης στο αρχοντικό των Ένισμορ. Κι ενώ γύρω τους μαίνονται γεγονότα που θ' αλλάξουν την Ιστορία για πάντα, οι ίδιες παλεύουν να βρουν τις προσωπικές τους ισορροπίες, μα και ποιες πραγματικά είναι κι αν θα διεκδικήσουν τα θέλω τους απέναντι στη ζωή.

Θέλω να ξεκινήσω από τη φιλία ανάμεσα στα δύο κορίτσια που πρωταγωνιστούν στην ιστορία αυτή, η οποία είναι πραγματικά συγκινητική και εξαιρετικά καλά δομημένη. Ουσιαστικά, οι δυο τους γνωρίζονται σε μια πολύ τρυφερή ηλικία, με ένα πολύ συγκεκριμένο συναισθηματικό υπόβαθρο, πάνω στο οποίο βασίζεται σημαντικά η ανάπτυξη της βάσης της ψυχολογίας, την ενσυναίσθησης και του τρόπου σκέψης της κάθε μίας, έτσι ώστε να υπάρχει η σωστή υποδομή, σε σχέση πάντα με την αλληλεπίδραση με τους παράγοντες του περιβάλλοντός τους, για την ανάπτυξη και την εξέλιξη της προσωπικότητά τους μέσα στα χρόνια που ακολουθούν από τη στιγμή της αρχικής τους γνωριμίας μέχρι και το τέλος της αφήγησης. Η μία συμπληρώνει την άλλη με τρόπο μοναδικό και η μεταξύ τους διαφορετικότητα, αν και προκαλεί δυσκολίες, σε καμία των περιπτώσεων και σε καμία στιγμή δεν μπορεί θεωρηθεί αδυναμία ή ελάττωμα. Αντίθετα, μέσα απ' αυτήν γεννιούνται δύο ολοκληρωμένες προσωπικότητες, με ψυχή, καρδιά, θέληση και όνειρα, που ακόμα και τις στιγμές των μεγάλων τους συγκρούσεων, τότε που μοιάζουν να τις χωρίζουν τα πάντα, εκείνες ξέρουν πως άλλα τόσα τις ενώνουν και πως θα το κάνουν για μια ζωή.

Εν μέσω, ίσως, της πιο ταραχώδους εποχής στη νεότερη Ιστορία της Ιρλανδίας, λοιπόν -με την συγγραφέα να εστιάζει περισσότερο στη Νότια Ιρλανδία, επιλέγοντάς την ως βάση της αφήγησή της, και όχι στη Βόρια, όπως συνηθίζεται λογοτεχνικά-, με τους Ιρλανδούς να διεκδικούν παθιασμένα την ανεξαρτησία τους, την ίδια ώρα που η Μεγάλη Βρετανία ετοιμάζεται για την είσοδό της στον Πρώτο Παγκόσμιο Πόλεμο, τα δύο αυτά κορίτσια συγκρούονται, όπως συγκρούονται και οι κόσμοι τους, μα και όπως συγκρούονται τα προσωπικά τους "θέλω" με αυτά που επιτάσσει, για την κάθε μια τους, το κοινωνικό στερεοτυπικό πρότυπο στο οποίο υπάγονται. Γιατί, δεν έχει σημασία αν είσαι φτωχός ή αριστοκράτης. Κανόνες, όρια, περιορισμοί και εμπόδια υπάρχουν πάντα και παντού, και διακρίσεις επ' αυτού δεν γίνονται. Και όταν όλα αυτά έρχονται να κορυφωθούν εν μέσω μίας εθνικής κρίσης, όπου το εγώ δεν μπορεί να υπερτερήσει του εμείς, τα πράγματα γίνονται ακόμα πιο ασφυκτικά και δύσκολα.

"Τα κορίτσια του Ένισμορ" είναι ένα μυθιστόρημα που αποτελεί μια άκρως παραστατική, πανοραμική απεικόνιση της τοιχογραφίας μιας κοινωνίας που θυμίζει καζάνι που βράζει, και που είναι έτοιμη να εκραγεί, με συνέπειες που κανείς δεν μπορεί να προβλέψει ή να υπολογίσει. Την ίδια στιγμή, όμως, είναι και μια ιστορία ανθρώπινη, μια ιστορία για όλα εκείνα που επηρεάζουν και καθορίζουν τη μοίρα των ανθρώπων και την εξέλιξη της πορείας της ζωής τους. Η φιλία, ο έρωτας, η οικογένεια, το καθήκον και η υποχρέωση απέναντι στην τελευταία, το δίκαιο και το άδικο, το σωστό και το λάθος, όλα μπαίνουν στο μικροσκόπιο της Falvey και αναλύονται εξονυχιστικά, καθώς έρχονται σε συνεχείς συγκρούσεις που μας δοκιμάζουν και μας φέρνουν αντιμέτωπους με διλήμματα, συναισθηματικά και ηθικά. Συνολικά, λοιπόν, έχουμε να κάνουμε με μια ιστορία απόλυτα άρτια και ολοκληρωμένη, με γερές ιστορικές βάσεις μα και με μοναδική μυθιστορηματική ανάπτυξη, με εξαίσιους χαρακτήρες και ψυχογράφηση αυτών. Μία ιστορία που μας φέρνει στα όριά μας, μας δοκιμάζει, μας καθηλώνει, μα πάνω απ' όλα μας συγκινεί και αγγίζει τις πιο ευαίσθητες χορδές μας.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book due to my recent obsession with Irish history and reading fiction set during it; I'm glad I picked the title up yet have some reservations. While the author excels in some key areas, I had an issue with some characterization and our primary relationship. Still, this stands as a beautiful depiction of an Ireland on the brink of change and two women caught up in it.

Descriptions of the timeframe and situation of our two heroines are lovingly described. I got a real sense for the differences between classes, the gentle splendor of a pastoral estate, and a capital city on the revolutionary brink. The author takes her time in presenting a setting the reader can experience and feel with the senses. The stark differences between the peaceful years before the Rising and the turbulent scenes of urban street fighting and death that followed make for an eye-opening difference in scenes. I can't credit the author enough for her fantastic use of the descriptors, making her readers really live the action and feel the emotions

Both leads also had distinct personalities all their own. The reader gets the real feeling for the strengths and weaknesses of both girls. They face their changing world and circumstances with courage and maturity. Both learn to think for themselves in a world that would keep them subjugated, especially Victoria. The most change is visible in her as she pursues a career, political belief, and relationship inappropriate to her old world.

I did have an issue with Rosie at times. She displays a strong courageous streak and incredible willpower to create a life on her terms, despite society’s expectations of a girl from her class. She works hard to find jobs to support herself and her family, finding a career and new life in politics and revolution. However, when it comes to her emotions and emotional maturity, I have to say there are times she felt like a dud. So many times she’d be faced with an emotional crisis and instead of dealing with it, she'd flounder and do nothing. Other times she face it with irrational anger and grudges, resulting in lashing out. This made her hard to empathize with.

I also took issue with Valentine. I had to admire his love for the land and wish to do the right thing. Yet, I also felt he went along with life too much, not striving for what he truly wished for. He let life happen to him rather than make his own way. This lack of ambition, both professionally and emotionally, led him to miss out on many opportunities to create a better life for himself and to achieve the relationships he desired.

Thankfully, as we approached the end of the book, Rosie and Valentine improved. Revolution and danger sparked something in them to finally act. Yet, this didn't translate into the relationship at any time. If you could call it a relationship… Not even at the very end, did I ever feel these two have any chemistry. All interactions, even emotional ones like confrontations or love confessions, felt flat and boring. Even being on opposite sides of a rebellion didn't add that extra spark of forbidden love. These two together are just boring, hands down.

The other relationships in the book at least save this title from relationship purgatory for me. Brandon and Victoria are just sweet together. Two people from different sides of the class barrier, their relationship has the element of the forbidden that Valentine's and Rosie's lacked. My heart couldn't help but soar as they strove to be together, despite war and societal expectations. I also adored Rosie's relationship with Cathal. Now there is a relationship with incredible chemistry and emotional turbulence from the past that the pair do a great job in overcoming, even despite Rosie's emotional issues. The issues and consequences in that relationship felt real. Why oh why couldn't that relationship have worked out and made it to the end?!

At least this book had a suspenseful tale of rebellion and character growth to carry it. Both Rosie and Victoria's maturation were a joy to partake in. Relationships with Brendan and Cathal also added spice and emotional depth to their characters. Even though Rosie fell flat emotionally for a large part of the book, at least by the end I felt some connection to her. However it's in the area of her relationship with Valentine and how long it took Rosie to develop that brought this work out. So in the end, this is a upper-to-middle of the road book for me. I'd be open to other works by this author in future, though, since she displays promise as a writer and suspenseful storyteller.

Note: Book received for free from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Luthien]

Goodreads and its high ratings have misled me again. What a mess, honestly. This book lacked focus, except what the author blatantly told you about the Themes and Meaning of the story. (Their love had changed because they had changed!) A better writer might've been able to pull it off. I really wanted to love this, so that isn't what I wanted to say, but the book started to get worse - more predictable, sloppier, more rushed, more melodramatic - as it went on, and that's not saying a lot when I was already rolling my eyes 175 pages in...

Rosie was all right as an MC, though I never felt like she was quite fleshed-out enough; Victoria was utterly dull and not developed at all, not that she would've been interesting either way. Their friendship was constantly stated but never shown. They spend 80% of the book as total strangers to one another, but they are constantly referred to as friends! And only one of the three romances felt in any way genuine. Even with the servant characters and for all the Easter Rising got used as a prop for the unholy mess of a plot, this book could've been set in Edwardian London or 1900s New York City for all I felt the Irish setting (i.e., the main reason I was even reading the book) actually mattered. A few Irish words and songs and turns of phrase and lip-service done to the suffering of the poor in Dublin do not an Irish story make when that story is an uninspired paint-by-numbers romance at its core.

Even if I knew less about the Easter Rising than I do after slogging through a 500-page non-fiction book about it a few years ago, I wouldn't want to be spoon-fed information the way this book does. Many passages feel less like a novel and more like a casually-written history text. And that doesn't even take into consideration the cringe-inducing "clever" historical allusions, like the two Ennis sons' plans to sail on the Titanic. Their mother's concern is dismissed by a wink-wink, nudge-nudge line of dialogue to the effect of, "I'm sure there are plenty of lifeboats." Oh God, why must historical fiction be this way!

And that "twist" regarding Valentine at the end? You could smell that coming from a mile away! The Ennis family are all wretched, boring, or both; none of them feels real. Rosie's family barely even factor in the story at all. Come to think of it, the only character I genuinely liked and cared about was Cathal O'Malley. Overall, I'm dissatisfied and I'm salty!

On top of all that, this book tried to cover way too much time (seventeen years!) in way too little space (350 pages!) all while (theoretically at least) having two female main characters, a total of three love stories, and a recurring subplot featuring the household staff of Ennismore. No wonder none of those characters felt real, why none of their relationships with each other resonated in any way! Now, this book wasn't a total wash, but it could have been done so much better had its plot been less predicable and its pace been much, much slower. Alas, that is not what Patricia Falvey wrote.

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spanning several years that were, in retrospect, fairly crucial to the changes happening in the world, and more specifically in Ireland, both for women and the country that has struggled with its own identity and rule years. Mixing the two main characters from disparate situations, we have Rosie, a local child most decidedly not born to the finer things and Victoria, daughter of the Lord of the ‘big house’. Laden with the dynamics of class, power and expectations, the story is rich with description, setting the scene in ways that readers can instantly connect. More striking is the ease with which Falvey conveys the history and forces that will ultimately come to blows, pitting countrymen against one another in the series of events most commonly referred to as “The Troubles”.

From the start, Rosie is the more accessible and empathetic of the two characters: imagine yourself a child with next to nothing, a father and family who’s every move depends on the Lord of the Manor, and then being brought into a life of luxury beyond expectations. Allowed to join in lessons and play time, influencing her new friend to think for herself, even as the world would seek to silence both their voices. Victoria is a bit harder to suss out, she’s been raised to certain expectations, and even the influence of her bold and often brash friend, her only friend in reality, isn’t necessarily going to cause her to buck convention.

From the two distinct personalities, we get a sense of their growth and changing alliances, from girls to young women, the two provide a more personal, if not always emotionally available approach to the changes that they experience and see as the world around them pushes and struggles to redefine Ireland, what it means to be Irish, and the questions about home rule.

Wonderful prose features descriptions and political views that bring an understanding of the time, and keeps feeding information in tolerable bits, through the character’s understanding and interactions. While I didn’t actually find the romance threads as engaging as the rest of the book, the winner in that contest would have had to have been Victoria and Brandon, bringing the sense of the forbidden in far more palpable ways than did Rosie’s relationship with her brother, Valentine. For me, the story is more memorable for delivery of a story that places these disparate elements into the history, allowing an understanding of the various forces and the uneven distribution of power that led so many to speak, and later, act on their frustrations spurred by the unfairness of it all.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at I am, Indeed

[GreekReaders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Πολύ το ευχαριστήθηκα, είναι όπως τα λέει στο οπισθόφυλλο, σε ταξιδεύει σε εκείνη την εποχή με μια όμορφη ιστορία. Πολύ καλή η δουλειά και στη μετάφραση, για να προκύψει το τελικό αποτέλεσμα. Μπράβο!

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Girls of Ennismore by Patricia Falvey is set in Ireland in June of 1900. Rosie Killeen is eight years old and is earning a little extra money by helping at the Ennis estate or as the locals call it the “big house”. Queen Victoria will be stopping at the house and extra help is needed in the kitchen. On the way home, Rosie encounters Victoria Bell (7 years old) who needs some assistance. Victoria is the daughter of Lord and Lady Ennis. After helping Victoria, Rosie heads home. Rosie is unaware of it, but this accidental meeting will forever change her life. Victoria is greatly impressed by Rosie and asks her Father to let her take lessons with her. Victoria is lonely and would love to have a friend. Against Lady Althea Ennis’ protests, Lord Edward Ennis agrees to the arrangement. This is a great opportunity for Rosie, but one she does not want. Rosie soon joins Victoria at the big house for lessons with Lady Louisa, the girl’s’ tutor. Lady Louisa resents being forced to teach Rosie and sets out to make it miserable for her. Over the years, the girls grow closer. But when Victoria heads off for her first season in Dublin, these two young women are head off on separate paths. Rosie, though, is in an unusual position. She is not gentry, but she has the education. She is not a servant, but her family is poor. Rosie is caught between these two very different worlds and does not know where she belongs. It is especially difficult that she is attracted to Valentine Bell, Victoria’s brother. Rosie is not considered a suitable mate for Valentine. Rosie must find a way to earn money for her family and find her place in the world during these tumultuous times in Ireland. The Home Rule (who are fighting for Irish independence) is gaining popularity in Ireland and the first World War is starting to break out in Europe. To find out what happens to Rosie and Victoria, you need to read The Girls of Ennismore.

The Girls of Ennismore is nicely written, had a good pace, and was easy to read. I found the book to be engaging. My interest was captured and held throughout the story. The author did a great job at bringing this period of time to life for me. I appreciated the setting of Ireland. So many novels have been set in England, so this was a nice change of pace. The Girls of Ennismore reminds me of Upstairs Downstairs (the show), A Woman of Substance (the book by Barbara Taylor Bradford) and Downton Abbey (you will think of Branson when reading this book). I give The Girls of Ennismore 4 out of 5 stars. There were a couple of slow sections, but they were minimal. Rosie attitude was challenging as she got older (in other words, she annoyed me), but it was understandable (most of the time). I was happy to see her character develop emotionally as she got older. The ending is so sweet. I am definitely checking out Patricia Falvey’s other novels.

[Vicky Ziliaskopoulou]

Δεν το τελείωσα. Το άφησα στη σελ. 98. Τόσες σελίδες, δέκα χρόνια από τη ζωή των δύο κοριτσιών και δεν έμαθα τίποτα ουσιαστικό για αυτές. Πραγματικά, το μόνο που μου έγινε σαφές για τις σκέψεις της Ρόζι είναι ότι δεν ήθελε να γίνει υπηρέτρια. Επίσης, πάρα τις τόσες σελίδες και τα δέκα χρόνια ροής στην ιστορία, το μόνο που μας περιέγραψε με σαφήνεια η συγγραφέας είναι οι διάλογοι της Ρόζι με τον Βαλεντάιν. Αλλά και αυτοί δεν έβγαζαν ένταση, ούτε συναίσθημα.
Τέλος πάντων, το άφησα αδιαβαστο, ίσως να μην ήταν καλό το timing αν και πραγματικά το επέλεξα συνειδητά γιατί ήθελα να διαβάσω κάποιο ανάλαφρο κοινωνικό εποχής.

https://kiallovivlio.blogspot.com/

[Susan Lindemulder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was like reading Downton Abbey but set in Ireland. A story about 2 women from different classes who become best friends and all the ups and downs of their lives during the time of the 1916 Easter Uprising in Ireland. I enjoyed the book; a fun read.

[Avree Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I toggled between 3 and 4 stars. This book was an entertaining and well-written listen, but it just seemed like a near rip off of Downton Abbey in too many respects. But I’m not that mad since I love Downton and this definitely gives the reader an upstairs/downstairs story feel—which is one of my favorite—landing this at four stars.

I like how the author covered the Easter Uprising, which for those who watched Downton Abbey—you will get to see Cybil and Tom Branson’s Ireland side of things. I definitely appreciated getting to learn more about that and feel like I was seeing it in action.

The narration was top notch, but I think reading the physical book may have proved challenging to get through. I still have The Titanic Sisters sitting half read on a shelf, and I may try the audio instead. Overall, I go into a story with an open mind of being transported, so this book did that and I found myself looking forward to returning.

[Blodeuedd Finland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Victoria was the daughter of the big house, and she wanted a friend.
Rosie was the daughter of a tenant farmer, and if Victoria wanted a friend then Rosie's dad could not say no. And here was the first proof of the underlying tensions in the book. Sure it works out and they study together and become friends, but Rosie is always less.

This is more of a saga, we follow them during 17 years of their lives.And well since we start in 1900 you get what we will see. The beginning of WW1, tensions growing in Ireland, the Easter uprising. A country in turmoil.

They will grow up. Things will happen. Victoria is destined for one life, and Rosie for another.

Victoria was spoiled at first, not in a bad way, more in a naive way at times. She really did not see the whole truth.

While Rosie was a bit resentful at times. Which I get.

There will hardships, romance, friendship. Two women, two destinies. It really is their story.

[AnoukLibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a du mal à quitter le manoir d’Ennismore une fois la connaissance de Rose et Victoria faite, deux jeunes femmes que tout oppose et qui vont pourtant tisser une amitié que rien n’altérera : ni les mouvements nationalistes irlandais, ni leurs milieux d’appartenances, ni les critiques des classes sociales. Dans un contexte historique passionnant, on assiste à deux histoires d’amour bouleversantes et magnifiques.

https://anouklibrary.wordpress.com/20...

[Susie Ramroop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Rounded up to 5 stars. Slightly biased in that all my childhood holidays were in this part of Ireland and I was named after Enniscoe House's current owner. Once I started reading it was hard to stop. Some criticise the lack of character development...for me there was enough for the people who mattered. If you like Ireland / have connections and are a fan of historical fiction you'll love this.

[Bookish Bluestocking · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 αστεράκια για το πολύ συμπαθητικό βιβλίο που διαβαζόταν ευχάριστα και σου έδινε και κάποια στοιχεία για να ψάξεις το θέμα του αγώνα της απελευθέρωσης της Ιρλανδίας από την αγγλική κατοχή. Πολύ καλογραμμένο, με φράση που εναλλάσσεται και κυλάει χωρίς να κουράζει τον αναγνώστη, χωρίς "δύσκολες" λεπτομέρειες, αξιοπρεπές και εύληπτο.

[Emily Bell · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one was just not great. It's dull, poorly written, over-the-top, with such limited character development that I cringed with every narration. I could barely get through this read.

[Tahsina Syeda · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started out okay, but got illogical, inconsistent and contrived after a while. Poor characterization.

[Georgie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am definitely one for Romance, I am instantly drawn to the genre. Jojo Moyes is one of my favourite authors...

This novel is definitely one of your typical Romance types- Boy meets Girl, conflict in the middle and everything works out in the end. Although the novel did follow this structure, the happy ending was definitely well deserved. 'The Girls of Ennismore' hooked me in from the very start, there was not one point in the novel where I felt like it was unrealistic or cringeworthy.

The depth of character exploration was one of my favourite features, each character had a story and a role. Themes such as love, lust, war/conflict and social construct all brought this story and the characters to life. It was great to see that there was a representation of strong female characters. Although there was a large amount of conflict and turmoil, the characters prevailed and ended up with a stronger bond and purpose.

The events that occurred were also a realistic depiction of real-life events, demonstrating the effect that it had not only on Ireland but on individuals who were caught in between morality and obligations to their societal roles. I found this internal conflict with each character to be extremely effective as it added another dimension to this world that is already ravaged by war.

I gave this novel 4 stars because I would have liked to see a further exploration of Cathal's character. He had a very important role not only in the revolution but also in the lives of Rosie and Victoria. I think that exploring his relationships further or introducing him to the story earlier would have given his character justice.

I would definitely recommend this book and I hope to read more of Patricia Falvey's work.

[Patricia Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed this story. It felt like someone was sitting next to me by the fire telling me all about their life.

The story begins when little, poor girl, Rosie, saves a toy boat when it drifted away from little, rich girl, Victoria. Victoria begs her father to allow Rosie to be educated with her at Ennismore. And that’s when the story begins. Their friendship waxes and wanes throughout the story.

The characters are so real, the story is so well told, and not much turns out the way I expected. But that’s okay; that’s what makes this novel so entertaining. The author’s descriptions and ‘feel’ of Ireland are spot on. The great divide between the rich, with their lavish and most often selfish lifestyle, and the poor, with their desperation and most often hopelessness, was effortlessly portrayed. Well described is how Rosie’s pride, stubbornness, and lack of forgiveness nearly destroys her.

I loved the wrap-up. All stories are brought together for a great ending. Again, not exactly what I expected, but terrific.

[Zoe Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what I was expecting with this book but I didn't expect this. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway so thank you for sending me a copy of this gorgeous book.

Enshrined in power dynamics, this book tells the story of an unconventional friendship between two very different girls joined together by their journey from childhood to adulthood in a society divided by social class, birthrights and politics.

A gorgeous read wth a narrative that just flows off the page. Wonderful characterisation and an interesting plot. A lovely book to read snuggled with a hot mug of tea which transports you back to twentieth century Ireland.

I would highly recommend this book!

'The Titanic will be quite safe', said Thomas. 'It is said to be the finest ship ever built'.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a mix of Downton Abbey, Ken Follett’s Fall of Giants and Trinity by Leon Uris. I was having a hard time getting into any book, so, when in doubt, read an Irish book! I loved the characters and the settings. This would make an excellent mini series. I’ve stayed at the Shelbourn and read about the Easter Uprising, this book covered it well while keeping it only a small part of the story. The mandatory Irish themes of famine, religion, class, pregnancy, emigration and of course, family, are all present and done well.