Hope

by Mary Ryan

When Tom Walsh sets sail for America in 1869 he knows it may be the last time he sees his beloved Ireland. His mother's death and his father's shattered health are the cruel legacies of the Penal Laws and decades of hardship, and Tom has vowed not to return until he can do so a rich man. Together with his sister Maria, he begins a journey across the prairies of the New World - towards Ouray, Colorado, and gold.

Thirty years later, the rewards of America's great gold rush have made Tom Walsh one of the world's richest men. But when his daughter Evalyn persuades him to buy the notorious Hope Diamond - thought to be cursed by the Indian goddess, Sita - he learns that tragedy and heartache serve a master far greater than money or stature...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

470 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Khalekan · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this family move to the Black Hills circa 1874 and get involved in the gold rush.

Their brother is scout for Custer and there are mant mentions of the General and about how the injuns didn't cotton to the illegal prospecting going on.

And they were resrless.

Next thing we know it is 1878 and there is not another mention of Custer and nary a word about the Little Big Horn.

And so the whole book went.

Issues raised and left unresolved.

Like when Mr. Walsh leaved $100,000 with a lawyer in Cork to give to the children of his dead sister in Monaghan.

We are told the lawyer has gambling debts....but we never heard of the indident again or how it was resolved.

The book is full of unlikeable characters, especially the "heroine", Evalyn and her husband.

Such a pair of smug, spoiled brats.

I liked the book well enough when the story of Thomas was the focus....it was part two and Evalyn's story which I found tedious.

[Tammy Jo Passions · Rating 5 out of 5]

This family generational true book was so good. I just never wanted it to end. I really enjoyed the journey of this family so much. The hard work, dedication, and tragedies was very well captured and written about.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book based on the lives of real people. I felt like it was the inverse of historical fiction. It wasn't a fictional story with some history slipped in, it read more like a historical story, augmented and tied together with some fiction.

Because of that, I enjoyed reading about the experience of an immigrant, the settling of the West, early America, and how these people might have fit into it. But, I wasn't really that impressed with the actual story. It didn't really have a plot, or an ending.

I usually struggle to be interested in history though, so it was fun to take a little journey with some folks from the past.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

At the end of the book we find out that, although this is a novel/fiction, it is based on a relative of the author.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_W...

The author freely admitted to changing facts, but some of the fact she changed (see wikipedia link above) sounded more interesting that the alternative universe the author created.

Some of the story lines (the brother who road with Custer, and the money left for his dead sister's children that the attorney stole) were left without conclusion.

[Cathy Morrison]

This book was really hard to find and get. I've been on the waiting list at my library for over a month for it. It's the book my bookclub is reading for June. I just got it from Amazon yesterday after going to every book store in town to buy it! We meet tomorrow and obviously I haven't gotten to read it. It's an older book...so we shall see!

Didn't care for it at all. Depressing and dark. I read to be entertained and this was anything but.....

[Sharon Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really enjoyed this book. I found it so interesting to follow the life of this man all the way to America. I have a big interest in Irish history, but after reading this book, I also developed a real interest in Colorado, and hope to visit sometime in the future. One of Mary Ryan's best books. Highly recommended.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book, but I had too much too read, and so I only got half way through. I'll try again another day. Good story though about the people that eventually had the Hope Diamond. Interesting U.S. Western history.

[Robyn91856 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good historical fiction about a family that moves from Ireland...their struggle to make it in America... Then fortune comes, the story of the hope diamond enters in, and the Gold Rush in California.......very interesting to see what money effected different characters in the book.

[Lindsey Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good epic telling of one family's journey in America and how they found success. I just wish they would have gone farther in the story with Evelyn and the Hope Diamond and how they family eventually got rid of it.

[Feodora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book in the shelf at the hotel rezeption.
Well done story mainly based on facts of the Welsh family.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book which held me right to the end. Full of history and intrigue and it was evident a great deal of research took place to assist in making the story real. Well worth a read!

[Ratforce]

This historical saga is based on the true story of a Colorado prospector who made it rich, and even has a connection to the Hope diamond.

[Lorraine Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great story... wonderful stuff.

[Barbara]

I love family sagas, especially rags-to-riches ones. This one is a page-turner. There is an interesting twist to the storyline in the last half!!

[Rachel Chivers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of an Irish family chasing their fortune during the time of the American gold rush. Based on a true story and proof, if it were needed, that money cannot buy happiness.