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Kitchen Canary
Kitchen Canary is the first in a series of two novels that follow the journeys of two young Irish immigrants who come to America to work as domestics.
Boston 1868...At the insistence of her parents, sixteen-year-old Katie O'Neil reluctantly left her beloved Galway. She joined her cousin, Moira Murphy to work as a nanny and domestic. In mid-nineteenth century Boston, Irish domestics were often referred to as Kitchen Canaries and considered property of their employers.
The young women are violated by their employer, Charles Brennan. Their shame and guilt is so great, they keep the abuse a secret even from each. When Katie becomes pregnant, Charles Brennan's victims, Moira, his wife Rose, and the negro household help, bond together to hide the newborn.
In this post-Civil War era, Boston is bustling with change as wealthy Englishmen and Boston Brahmins expand world trade routes, build railroads and develop land. Immigrants from Ireland, Italy and Poland establish neighborhoods, existing in overcrowded, disease-ridden shacks and tenements. They, and negroes flocking North, suffer hate, humiliation and rejection from the establishment. The only value they have to the rich Bostonians is their willingness to work for little money performing menial or back-breaking, dangerous jobs on the docks, and building railroads.
This story is about the goodness of others, black, white, Irish and English whose strength prevails to overcome evil and guide Katie and Moira to true redemption. The sequel, Through the Open Door is now available.
Boston 1868...At the insistence of her parents, sixteen-year-old Katie O'Neil reluctantly left her beloved Galway. She joined her cousin, Moira Murphy to work as a nanny and domestic. In mid-nineteenth century Boston, Irish domestics were often referred to as Kitchen Canaries and considered property of their employers.
The young women are violated by their employer, Charles Brennan. Their shame and guilt is so great, they keep the abuse a secret even from each. When Katie becomes pregnant, Charles Brennan's victims, Moira, his wife Rose, and the negro household help, bond together to hide the newborn.
In this post-Civil War era, Boston is bustling with change as wealthy Englishmen and Boston Brahmins expand world trade routes, build railroads and develop land. Immigrants from Ireland, Italy and Poland establish neighborhoods, existing in overcrowded, disease-ridden shacks and tenements. They, and negroes flocking North, suffer hate, humiliation and rejection from the establishment. The only value they have to the rich Bostonians is their willingness to work for little money performing menial or back-breaking, dangerous jobs on the docks, and building railroads.
This story is about the goodness of others, black, white, Irish and English whose strength prevails to overcome evil and guide Katie and Moira to true redemption. The sequel, Through the Open Door is now available.
159 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 9, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
September 20, 2018
Netgalley #61
Many thanks go to Joanne C. Parsons and Netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for the copy of this book.
Katie O'Neil is sent by her family to America from Ireland for a chance at a better life. She finds lodging and work as a maid and nanny with an affluent family in Boston with her cousin, Moira. But when Moira shows Katie to her room her first night she makes she makes Katie promise to lock her door. And rumors are stirring about why the previous maid left. Mr. Brennan isn't a fan of the Irish, and his wife is never seen outside of her room. Something is off. Can Katie and Moira find happiness and learn to forgive?
I think this is a debut novel? What a great start for Parsons! I loved the storyline. So much truth to what she wrote. I know these situations occurred in our country's history. So unfortunate. Moira's sadness was palpable. I look forward to more historical fiction by this author.
Many thanks go to Joanne C. Parsons and Netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for the copy of this book.
Katie O'Neil is sent by her family to America from Ireland for a chance at a better life. She finds lodging and work as a maid and nanny with an affluent family in Boston with her cousin, Moira. But when Moira shows Katie to her room her first night she makes she makes Katie promise to lock her door. And rumors are stirring about why the previous maid left. Mr. Brennan isn't a fan of the Irish, and his wife is never seen outside of her room. Something is off. Can Katie and Moira find happiness and learn to forgive?
I think this is a debut novel? What a great start for Parsons! I loved the storyline. So much truth to what she wrote. I know these situations occurred in our country's history. So unfortunate. Moira's sadness was palpable. I look forward to more historical fiction by this author.
January 13, 2019
A good story in what I'm sure is a historically accurate setting. However, I did not find the book that well written; on the contrary, the style struck me as somewhat simplistic.
November 29, 2021
Irish slave
Katie came to America as an indentured servant. While she is there is raped by her master and becomes pregnant. Unfortunately this happened far to frequently and the poor girls had to hide their shame. Fortunately for Katie she had friends who helped whisk her baby to safety and give it a loving home. This is a story of heartache and courage and shows in a small way the suffering that the Irish have had to face.
Katie came to America as an indentured servant. While she is there is raped by her master and becomes pregnant. Unfortunately this happened far to frequently and the poor girls had to hide their shame. Fortunately for Katie she had friends who helped whisk her baby to safety and give it a loving home. This is a story of heartache and courage and shows in a small way the suffering that the Irish have had to face.
April 27, 2018
You may recall that after the potato famine in Ireland, many Irish immigrated to the United States and Boston became home for many of them. But what was it really like to come over as a young person and make one’s way in the land of opportunity?
This book brings the history and the immigrant story to life, in an engaging and captivating way.
Moira immigrated first and then arranged for Katie to come too, and work in the same wealthy household in Boston as a nanny. Katie loved Ireland and didn’t want to leave, but it was the only way for her to support her family. The ship voyage was a misery, and life in the Brennan house turned out to be horrible, too. How Moira and Katie coped with their new lives made for a fascinating read.
The vivid characters, with interesting backstories, fascinated me. The author avoids stereotypes by digging deeper into the characters’ motivations. Some of the story is told in the third-person and some in the first person.
The author took an even-handed approach to the history of the times and her characters. Yes, the immigrant story wasn’t as rosy as we might want it to be, but the book shows that with love, hope and God’s grace, people can triumph. Highly recommend.
This book brings the history and the immigrant story to life, in an engaging and captivating way.
Moira immigrated first and then arranged for Katie to come too, and work in the same wealthy household in Boston as a nanny. Katie loved Ireland and didn’t want to leave, but it was the only way for her to support her family. The ship voyage was a misery, and life in the Brennan house turned out to be horrible, too. How Moira and Katie coped with their new lives made for a fascinating read.
The vivid characters, with interesting backstories, fascinated me. The author avoids stereotypes by digging deeper into the characters’ motivations. Some of the story is told in the third-person and some in the first person.
The author took an even-handed approach to the history of the times and her characters. Yes, the immigrant story wasn’t as rosy as we might want it to be, but the book shows that with love, hope and God’s grace, people can triumph. Highly recommend.
September 9, 2022
Opportunity for a better life becomes a harsh reality.
Innocence proves to be unfortunate for many unprepared foreigners. The story starts in Ireland, crosses an ocean and culminates in lost dreams and heartbreak. But hope finds itself rising above desperate situations. Follow Katie as she has no way to survive in her own country and boards the ship from hell. Starving and with no better treatment than slave ships The Irish do not fair much better when they reach their destination.
Innocence proves to be unfortunate for many unprepared foreigners. The story starts in Ireland, crosses an ocean and culminates in lost dreams and heartbreak. But hope finds itself rising above desperate situations. Follow Katie as she has no way to survive in her own country and boards the ship from hell. Starving and with no better treatment than slave ships The Irish do not fair much better when they reach their destination.
November 17, 2018
I kindly received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the story of a young Irish girl, sent to America by her family to work. The book does justice to the harsh realities that many Irish immigrants faced and was an interesting read. There is a Christmas reference in here so suitable if anyone wants to make a nod towards Christmas at this time of the year, rather than a full on snowy romance spectacular.
This is the story of a young Irish girl, sent to America by her family to work. The book does justice to the harsh realities that many Irish immigrants faced and was an interesting read. There is a Christmas reference in here so suitable if anyone wants to make a nod towards Christmas at this time of the year, rather than a full on snowy romance spectacular.
May 25, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book finding it to be very nicely written with a very easy-to-read flow to the words. Being a New Englander, a genealogist and an historical fiction buff, that time in history is fascinating to me. I liked the attention to detail in relating each characters point of view.
AFTER reading the book I decided to read about the author and was most fascinated to read her own history! PLEASE KEEP WRITING! I cannot wait to read more!
AFTER reading the book I decided to read about the author and was most fascinated to read her own history! PLEASE KEEP WRITING! I cannot wait to read more!
Read
June 1, 2019I did enjoy a more real feeling about these Characters but was sorry to see the ending so quickly. It felt rushed or not quite complete. Not that it dragged any place just rather abrupt end. The hardships the Irish endured was a huge part of my Dad's remembrances that he spoke of in later years and this book does a good job in the telling. We are all so very fortunate to be living in these times , tumultuous tho they may be, in a different way.
September 29, 2019
Excelente leitura! Eu gosto mesmo muito de ficção histórica e esta É uma excelente história!
Descritivo, sem ser florido demais!
Acabamos por sentir que estamos a viver tudo com a Katie, a protagonista da história que deixa a Irlanda que ela ama por uma vida "melhor" em Boston!
Já tenho lido vários livros que se aprofundam no tema de como os irlandeses foram recebidos odiados e maltratados na América, mas este tornou tudo muito real!
Ótimo romance.
Descritivo, sem ser florido demais!
Acabamos por sentir que estamos a viver tudo com a Katie, a protagonista da história que deixa a Irlanda que ela ama por uma vida "melhor" em Boston!
Já tenho lido vários livros que se aprofundam no tema de como os irlandeses foram recebidos odiados e maltratados na América, mas este tornou tudo muito real!
Ótimo romance.
November 12, 2019
Kitchen canaries were young Irish immigrant girls who came to America during the Irish Potato Famine. They usually ended up working in the kitchen and were treated poorly. The writing is so vivid that you feel what the characters are feeling.I liked how you got the viewpoints of several characters. My only criticism is the abrupt transition from one sentence to another in several scenes. It is sometimes a dark read and yet is inspiring. I highly recommend this book.
September 13, 2021
Wonderful insight into the difficulties women face even in America’s great land of opportunities!
Over and over throughout history, women have been abused! I grieved this story in that it’s a typical outcome during this era of a nation struggle (Ireland) and yet instead of finding peaceful solutions in America these young women were abused. Story was well written and very interesting!
Over and over throughout history, women have been abused! I grieved this story in that it’s a typical outcome during this era of a nation struggle (Ireland) and yet instead of finding peaceful solutions in America these young women were abused. Story was well written and very interesting!
November 18, 2022
Read four chapters and could not read more. The writer had the bare bones of a good story here. A developmental editor could've helped round out the characters and plot and smooth out the problems in this novel. After finishing four chapters I not only didn't care what happened to Katie, the protagonist, I actively did not like her. She seemed to whine about everything.
With all my Irish ancestors, I had high hopes for enjoying this story. Could not recommend.
With all my Irish ancestors, I had high hopes for enjoying this story. Could not recommend.
June 19, 2021
What a time
Easily read and a story told from several points of view. Fast paced, historically accurate and hard to put down. You will find yourself finding it hard to believe that this could have actually happened but unfortunately it was a difficult time for Irish immigrants. Looking forward to the next book.
Easily read and a story told from several points of view. Fast paced, historically accurate and hard to put down. You will find yourself finding it hard to believe that this could have actually happened but unfortunately it was a difficult time for Irish immigrants. Looking forward to the next book.
June 19, 2022
Love Abides...
A short story of Ireland, the famine, and searching for a way to survive. Its a sad time, and the abuse Irish girls suffered that came to America for work to help their family. I enjoyed the book, but it has some parts of abuse that was heartbreaking. I hope to read more from this author, and about Ireland.
A short story of Ireland, the famine, and searching for a way to survive. Its a sad time, and the abuse Irish girls suffered that came to America for work to help their family. I enjoyed the book, but it has some parts of abuse that was heartbreaking. I hope to read more from this author, and about Ireland.
October 8, 2019
Good but dark
I would never have imagined anything so horrible. Liked the Irish hadn't suffered enough through the famine and the oppression once they arrived. To think they were considered property. We have come a long way.
I would never have imagined anything so horrible. Liked the Irish hadn't suffered enough through the famine and the oppression once they arrived. To think they were considered property. We have come a long way.
January 9, 2020
Wonderful true to life story of that era.
Disliked the fact that the girls did not fight back, but in that day they had little choice. Anyone with heart could like the story. No doubt the head of the household got his reward!
Disliked the fact that the girls did not fight back, but in that day they had little choice. Anyone with heart could like the story. No doubt the head of the household got his reward!
Read
February 11, 2021I love this book! So much suffering that the Irish endured. I learned a lot about young Irish girls being subjected to treatment by wealthy employers who knew the single women would starve if they did not comply with all that was demanded of them.
October 16, 2021
Very intriguing storyline
Reading the past experiences of our Irish immigrants is so hard to fathom the challenges they went through. A lovely ending helps the struggle of the characters just trying to survive in those early times of their lives.
Reading the past experiences of our Irish immigrants is so hard to fathom the challenges they went through. A lovely ending helps the struggle of the characters just trying to survive in those early times of their lives.
December 22, 2022
Enjoyed this book
Not a deep read, but an interesting story with characters who each carry their on secrets. Good conversation keeps the story moving. A quick, easy read that holds your interest.
Not a deep read, but an interesting story with characters who each carry their on secrets. Good conversation keeps the story moving. A quick, easy read that holds your interest.
February 2, 2023
kitchen canary
A story of survival, love, hate and control. In years gone by Irish immigrants coming to America had no rights at all. It was hard to survive when everyone was against you.
A story of survival, love, hate and control. In years gone by Irish immigrants coming to America had no rights at all. It was hard to survive when everyone was against you.
April 1, 2023
The author attempted to let the reader infer events of passing time but I felt like the events weren't fluid enough and lacked detail to be successful at that. The story didn't hit climaxal events until half way through which left the first half devoid of plot details. The ending was abrupt.
May 23, 2023
This is my 1st book by this author, just bought her 2nd book! I loved this story, as all immigrants just looking for a safe home these Irish young ladies had a lot to deal with, I admire their strength, I strongly recommend this book, it is a novel but you will learn a lot about the human spirit.
September 1, 2017
Excellently written story of two young Irish immigrant women who encounter hardships and prejudice in Boston in the nineteenth century. I found this book almost impossible to put down.
March 2, 2019
story line is good
short and easy read
short and easy read
April 7, 2019
Love this book! Uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time. A quick read I didn't want to put down.
April 28, 2019
Irish Girls in America
This is a tragic story with hope at the end. Irish Girls were treated as sub-human by the British and Americans. But sometimes there is redemption.
This is a tragic story with hope at the end. Irish Girls were treated as sub-human by the British and Americans. But sometimes there is redemption.
February 18, 2020
A different perspective
A different look into the Irish immigrants life in the United States. I enjoyed the chapters written from each characters’ perspective.
A different look into the Irish immigrants life in the United States. I enjoyed the chapters written from each characters’ perspective.
April 1, 2020
Hard working Irish women's tale
This book helped me understand Itrish immigrants and what hardships they endured in order to work to have a beter life.
This book helped me understand Itrish immigrants and what hardships they endured in order to work to have a beter life.
September 14, 2020
I loved Kitchen Canary. Being Irish, this historical fiction story hit home. Accurate and a great read, you don’t have to be Irish to appreciate it. When an author writes as well as Joanne Parsons, any topic she writes about will be well written.
January 29, 2021
Don't put it down. You will get nothing else done. Characters make you love and hate them. Also makes us see all races have had hard times.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews