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The Skye in June
The MacDonald family emigrate to San Francisco from Scotland after a family tragedy in hope of a new life; only they cannot escape the youngest child's strange insights to the mother's dark secret left in the Highlands nor the child's uniqueness to attract unusual people that threaten to destroy the family bond. The father's dominance over his four lively, daughters is met with rebellious tactics to deter his control as they come of age during San Francisco's colorful 1960s. It seems his declaration about his wife and four daughters is coming "Doomed to hell, every last one of you" when the family is on the verge of imploding as the youngest is drawn into the world of mysticism. They come to a crossroads when the submissive mother must decide to defy her domineering husband for the sake of her daughters or lose her girls. Will the family survive by forgiving the sin of the past and accept who they have become? The story takes readers over three generations of how a family bond changes over time while enjoying the nuances of San Francisco's well-known neighborhood, the Castro , , during the 1950s to1960s while also learning some Scottish traditions.
368 pages, Paperback
First published May 17, 1990
146 people are currently reading
650 people want to read
About the author
June Ahern
6 books71 followersAs a self-published author I survived the trial by fire to share tales and truths. The experience of writing, publishing and marketing - a huge undertaking - has connected me to people throughout the USA and internationally.
Like some characters in my novels, I too was born in Glasgow Scotland. In the mid-1950s along with my family I immigrated to San Francisco, California and made our home in a district named Eureka Valley, known now to many in one of San Francisco's most famous neighborhood as "The Castro."
My novels take place in a place and time that changed history of San Francisco worldwide in the 1960's. Writing about it was an incredible journey back to fond and, at times, difficult memories.
"The Timeless Counselor" was my first published book (1990 titled "A Psychic Reading as Alternative Counseling'" retitled in ) is a complete consumer's guide to receiving the most from a psychic reading. For those dubious or uncertain my book give answers questions about what a psychic reading can give one.
My spirit communication I share my own near death experience and years of experiences as a medium. Come with me on one of my San Francisco historical ghost walks on Youtube. https://youtu.be/TU4BvpvX5AQ
psychic work continues with The Haunted Bay Paranormal Investigation on YouTube. and Amazon Prime.
Like some characters in my novels, I too was born in Glasgow Scotland. In the mid-1950s along with my family I immigrated to San Francisco, California and made our home in a district named Eureka Valley, known now to many in one of San Francisco's most famous neighborhood as "The Castro."
My novels take place in a place and time that changed history of San Francisco worldwide in the 1960's. Writing about it was an incredible journey back to fond and, at times, difficult memories.
"The Timeless Counselor" was my first published book (1990 titled "A Psychic Reading as Alternative Counseling'" retitled in ) is a complete consumer's guide to receiving the most from a psychic reading. For those dubious or uncertain my book give answers questions about what a psychic reading can give one.
My spirit communication I share my own near death experience and years of experiences as a medium. Come with me on one of my San Francisco historical ghost walks on Youtube. https://youtu.be/TU4BvpvX5AQ
psychic work continues with The Haunted Bay Paranormal Investigation on YouTube. and Amazon Prime.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
July 6, 2008
This book is a most engrossing tale of what it was like to grow up in San Francisco in tumultuous 1960s. Author Ahern has captured the magic of San Francisco perfectly and weaves a tale that is so captivating that it's hard to put the book down. Perhaps having grown up Catholic with all sisters (like the MacDonalds in this book) makes me susceptible to loving this book which is also about sisters experiencing the gamut of what was good and bad about Catholicism, and learning that there is a huge world out there beyond the confines of hell and mortal sin. This story essentially is a story of healing, a healing for a mother who buries her pain and in doing so, effects her daughters in ways she doesn't realize. Her 4 daughters grow up in a time in San Francisco where social and moral boundaries start to break down and blur. In a recent past to be different meant to be condemned, ostracized, disowned. These societal developments are portrayed poignantly by Ahern in a story that revolves around a child, who is born different and acutely sensitive,and who undergoes a profound crisis. She forces her Mother to face a long buried painful past, and in doing so brings a chance for healing to her sisters and family. Hopefully this is the first of a series about these captivating characters, for though the book ends with reconciliation, one gets the sense that many profound journeys for this family are still ahead. I want to read more.
March 16, 2010
I won a copy of this book through the First Reads program, and am quite glad I did because it was different than any book I have read before, which is such a plus in this day of cookie cutter mass market paperbacks.
This fictional book was the story of June's immigration to San Francisco from Scotland in the early 1950's. It delved into family dynamics - from sibling rivalry issues still common today, to marital hierarchies that are rare in today's society. The book immersed the reader in 1950's and '60's culture, which was just fascinating to me, because my mom was just about June's age throughout the course of the book. It gave me a wonderful insight into what her generation experienced, felt, and how women were pigeon-holed during this time. The book touched on stereotypes of women attending college; gender preference stereotyping; racial/skin-color stereotyping, and the blacklisting of Catholic school students who did not behave perfectly.
June was one of these children who was "blacklisted" as a pagan for questioning her teachers/nuns, about religion. Her father was perhaps her worst critic. He expected perfection from his daughters and wife, and refused to accept any less. The story follows her father's verbal and physical abuse of his family, and her mother's lack of intervention. Everyone looked at June as a troubled child because she had a special ability to see and hear things others could not. This clairvoyance and clairaudio was a special gift, although during these decades in history, it was not seen as anything other than a severe mental illness.
June was labeled a very disturbed child, a "witch" according to her father. She was so passionate about this gift that she went to any and every length to keep it an active part of her day-to-day life. Try as she did, she could not, at the insistence of her teachers and parents, get rid of the thoughts, visions, and voices that she heard throughout her entire life in America.
I was born and raised a Catholic, and really enjoyed hearing about some of the history behind Catholic education in America in the '50's and '60's...things they certainly didn't teach us in Catechism classes.
Great ending! I will not say more about this because I would not want to spoil the book for anyone. Strongly recommend.
This fictional book was the story of June's immigration to San Francisco from Scotland in the early 1950's. It delved into family dynamics - from sibling rivalry issues still common today, to marital hierarchies that are rare in today's society. The book immersed the reader in 1950's and '60's culture, which was just fascinating to me, because my mom was just about June's age throughout the course of the book. It gave me a wonderful insight into what her generation experienced, felt, and how women were pigeon-holed during this time. The book touched on stereotypes of women attending college; gender preference stereotyping; racial/skin-color stereotyping, and the blacklisting of Catholic school students who did not behave perfectly.
June was one of these children who was "blacklisted" as a pagan for questioning her teachers/nuns, about religion. Her father was perhaps her worst critic. He expected perfection from his daughters and wife, and refused to accept any less. The story follows her father's verbal and physical abuse of his family, and her mother's lack of intervention. Everyone looked at June as a troubled child because she had a special ability to see and hear things others could not. This clairvoyance and clairaudio was a special gift, although during these decades in history, it was not seen as anything other than a severe mental illness.
June was labeled a very disturbed child, a "witch" according to her father. She was so passionate about this gift that she went to any and every length to keep it an active part of her day-to-day life. Try as she did, she could not, at the insistence of her teachers and parents, get rid of the thoughts, visions, and voices that she heard throughout her entire life in America.
I was born and raised a Catholic, and really enjoyed hearing about some of the history behind Catholic education in America in the '50's and '60's...things they certainly didn't teach us in Catechism classes.
Great ending! I will not say more about this because I would not want to spoil the book for anyone. Strongly recommend.
June 12, 2012
I struggled through this one. The plot had a LOT of potential. The subject matter was appealing: Scottish family which emigrates to the US, conflicts of religion, complicated family relationships, political issues of the '50s & '60s. The development of the story could have been truly intriguing -- perhaps in the hands of a different author or with some [much] stronger editing.
Instead I found the characters to be maddening. Imperfect characters can be fascinating, but they must be developed in a way that helps the reader to understand their flaws. In this book they remained sorely two-dimensional. Even the protagonist was largely unlikeable without having any insight into her own mind. The conflicts that came up in the story were interesting, but again, without strong development felt hollow. The storyline was then hastily tied up in the last chapter. All the strife of the last two decades is neatly resolved in a group hug? Really?
The descriptions were hackneyed, the use of dialect seemed forced, and the story seemed rushed. Maybe because I was reading this as an e-book, I also noticed an astounding number of typographical and spelling errors.
This book made me wish that rewritten stories were as common as redone movies. There's a lot of possibility for a great story here, but it ended up being a huge disappointment.
Instead I found the characters to be maddening. Imperfect characters can be fascinating, but they must be developed in a way that helps the reader to understand their flaws. In this book they remained sorely two-dimensional. Even the protagonist was largely unlikeable without having any insight into her own mind. The conflicts that came up in the story were interesting, but again, without strong development felt hollow. The storyline was then hastily tied up in the last chapter. All the strife of the last two decades is neatly resolved in a group hug? Really?
The descriptions were hackneyed, the use of dialect seemed forced, and the story seemed rushed. Maybe because I was reading this as an e-book, I also noticed an astounding number of typographical and spelling errors.
This book made me wish that rewritten stories were as common as redone movies. There's a lot of possibility for a great story here, but it ended up being a huge disappointment.
February 1, 2010
The Skye in June (J. Ahern) is the unique story of June Mac Donald. Born in Scotland in the 50's her mother (Cathy), defiantly named her June. Her father Jimmy, who has strong Catholic beliefs, feels his daughter is fated an ill life due to this pagan Non-Catholic name. The family emigrates to America after a family tragedy, with the hopes of starting a new life.
June soon finds she is not the average girl. She has "visions" and "dreams" that she does not quite understand. When June begins to speak of these events, her father is not happy and feels she is doomed to hell. June and her sisters have a tight family bond. Living under the rule of an abusive father, they try to protect her.
Cathy is aware of June's psychic ability, yet seems haunted by a secret past. A past she does not want to confront. As the MacDonald family's lives start to come "unglued" Cathy must confront this past to save June before it is to late.
Ms. Ahern blends Scottish tradition in Catholicism with a new twist. A challenge to the traditional religious beliefs, with that of psychic ability and a touch of witchcraft. She brings about family loyalty and love in a fascinating memorable story, The Skye in June.
I won this on good reads, and I look forward to more work from this talented Author.
June soon finds she is not the average girl. She has "visions" and "dreams" that she does not quite understand. When June begins to speak of these events, her father is not happy and feels she is doomed to hell. June and her sisters have a tight family bond. Living under the rule of an abusive father, they try to protect her.
Cathy is aware of June's psychic ability, yet seems haunted by a secret past. A past she does not want to confront. As the MacDonald family's lives start to come "unglued" Cathy must confront this past to save June before it is to late.
Ms. Ahern blends Scottish tradition in Catholicism with a new twist. A challenge to the traditional religious beliefs, with that of psychic ability and a touch of witchcraft. She brings about family loyalty and love in a fascinating memorable story, The Skye in June.
I won this on good reads, and I look forward to more work from this talented Author.
January 26, 2023
An immersive family saga with a touch of mystery and mysticism that all comes together beautifully at the end for a very satisfying and thought provoking read.
April 1, 2017
5/31/1950, Glasgow, Scotland. Cathy MacDonald (30, daughter/wife, nee Buchanan, Catholic) was headed to St. Andrew's Infirmary to have another baby.
Jimmy MacDonald (husband) was working 2 jobs so he wouldn’t be there.
Nurse Lockhart took her into the birthing room.
It was time Head Nurse Nell Gunn & Dr. MacFadden (45) were in the room.
Nurse Hamilton (Catholic) brought the baby daughter St. June in to see mom.
Next day Jimmy insisted her name would be Elizabeth not June.
Tenement house (12 Dumbarton Road, Partick, Glasgow, Scotland). The other girls are: Anne (eldest), Margaret “Maggie” (7, middle twin), Mary (7, middle twin), Helen (20 months, breathing problems), & Katherine “Kit” (died 2 days).
Granny B helped take care of the girls.
Later, what would happen to Cathy?
Sandy Jordon got Jimmy a job in the shipyards where he worked.
3/16/1954, the MacDonald family would immigrate to San Francisco, CA.
Helen Marie MacDonald had passed away.
Mother Superior kept a very watchful eye on Maggie, Mary, & June.
June had wondered off to the Holy Savior Church.
Later June met Mrs. Lechsinska Gorzalkowski (psychic).
Then she introduced herself to Cathy.
The 3 of them were becoming quite close.
The tarot cards were easy for June & Cathy to understand.
1/1/1955, things would be different in America no more Hogmanay.
Cathy worked PT at Cliff’s Variety Store.
1959, Holy Savior. Mother Superior, Sister St. Pius (elderly nun), Sister Noel, & Sister Wilma, watched over Mary (6th. grader), Maggie (6th. grader), & June.
Other students are: Patti, Billy O’Hara, Loretta, Frankie Cunningham, Larry Owens, & Eddie Gallagher.
June was starting to act out so 2 of the nuns went to see Cathy at work.
Annie had been accepted & given a full scholarship to the Girls Convent HS.
The bunch of school kids were going to the Castro Theater to see Darby O’ Gill & the Little People.
Then onto The Big Jive coffee shop.
Patti, Mickey, Brian Callaghan, & Dave were there also.
Dwayne Smith was whacked with a baseball bat numerous times & was taken to San Francisco General Hospital where he remains in a coma.
Why was June seeing Dr. Schmidt (f, psychiatry)?
Then later Nurse Carla Morales, & Dr. J. Weissman (retired psychiatrist, chief of psychiatry at Langley Porter, U of California).
How will all of the other MacDonald’s lives turn out?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written Woman's Fiction book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great Woman's Fiction movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Making Connections; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Jimmy MacDonald (husband) was working 2 jobs so he wouldn’t be there.
Nurse Lockhart took her into the birthing room.
It was time Head Nurse Nell Gunn & Dr. MacFadden (45) were in the room.
Nurse Hamilton (Catholic) brought the baby daughter St. June in to see mom.
Next day Jimmy insisted her name would be Elizabeth not June.
Tenement house (12 Dumbarton Road, Partick, Glasgow, Scotland). The other girls are: Anne (eldest), Margaret “Maggie” (7, middle twin), Mary (7, middle twin), Helen (20 months, breathing problems), & Katherine “Kit” (died 2 days).
Granny B helped take care of the girls.
Later, what would happen to Cathy?
Sandy Jordon got Jimmy a job in the shipyards where he worked.
3/16/1954, the MacDonald family would immigrate to San Francisco, CA.
Helen Marie MacDonald had passed away.
Mother Superior kept a very watchful eye on Maggie, Mary, & June.
June had wondered off to the Holy Savior Church.
Later June met Mrs. Lechsinska Gorzalkowski (psychic).
Then she introduced herself to Cathy.
The 3 of them were becoming quite close.
The tarot cards were easy for June & Cathy to understand.
1/1/1955, things would be different in America no more Hogmanay.
Cathy worked PT at Cliff’s Variety Store.
1959, Holy Savior. Mother Superior, Sister St. Pius (elderly nun), Sister Noel, & Sister Wilma, watched over Mary (6th. grader), Maggie (6th. grader), & June.
Other students are: Patti, Billy O’Hara, Loretta, Frankie Cunningham, Larry Owens, & Eddie Gallagher.
June was starting to act out so 2 of the nuns went to see Cathy at work.
Annie had been accepted & given a full scholarship to the Girls Convent HS.
The bunch of school kids were going to the Castro Theater to see Darby O’ Gill & the Little People.
Then onto The Big Jive coffee shop.
Patti, Mickey, Brian Callaghan, & Dave were there also.
Dwayne Smith was whacked with a baseball bat numerous times & was taken to San Francisco General Hospital where he remains in a coma.
Why was June seeing Dr. Schmidt (f, psychiatry)?
Then later Nurse Carla Morales, & Dr. J. Weissman (retired psychiatrist, chief of psychiatry at Langley Porter, U of California).
How will all of the other MacDonald’s lives turn out?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written Woman's Fiction book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great Woman's Fiction movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Making Connections; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
July 2, 2011
I received this book for free from the author, via Smashwords, in exchange for a review.
The Skye in June is one of those books that will capture your heart and your mind.
Right from the beginning you can't help but feel for Cathy, as the opening scene is of her writhing in labor pains in the backseat of a taxi all alone. This is your introduction to Cathy, June, and the rest of the MacDonald clan.
All families have history, changing relationships with one another, emotions, individual thoughts, beliefs, and traditions. Even more they face changing dynamics that occur as the family grows and future generations step onto their own paths. The MacDonald clan is no different.
Ms. Ahern does a phenomenal job of writing 3 generations of a family, with a story that unfolds over the course of 15 years and 2 continents. Even more impressive is the way she's capable of changing the narration focus from Cathy's eyes to June's, all the while never forgetting that their family plays an integral part of their selves and their lives.
The Skye in June never felt congested with all the topics that face a family over its lifetime. It merely felt like family. You deal with the good and the bad with family. You may not like all of it, but you love it because it's family.
If this review does not make you want to read the book, then please understand that it is the fault of the reviewer not the fault of the book. Highly recommended read.
The Skye in June is one of those books that will capture your heart and your mind.
Right from the beginning you can't help but feel for Cathy, as the opening scene is of her writhing in labor pains in the backseat of a taxi all alone. This is your introduction to Cathy, June, and the rest of the MacDonald clan.
All families have history, changing relationships with one another, emotions, individual thoughts, beliefs, and traditions. Even more they face changing dynamics that occur as the family grows and future generations step onto their own paths. The MacDonald clan is no different.
Ms. Ahern does a phenomenal job of writing 3 generations of a family, with a story that unfolds over the course of 15 years and 2 continents. Even more impressive is the way she's capable of changing the narration focus from Cathy's eyes to June's, all the while never forgetting that their family plays an integral part of their selves and their lives.
The Skye in June never felt congested with all the topics that face a family over its lifetime. It merely felt like family. You deal with the good and the bad with family. You may not like all of it, but you love it because it's family.
If this review does not make you want to read the book, then please understand that it is the fault of the reviewer not the fault of the book. Highly recommended read.
August 17, 2013
I had not read about this book so when I started it all I knew was that my aunt loved it. Although I have seen books about Irish immigrants, Polish, Italian and even Russian immigrants to the US it is rare to find a book about Scottish immigrants to the US. Since I am of Scottish ancestry it was extremely interesting to me. As the family moved from Scotland to San Francisco I learned a lot about Scottish legends, the Catholic Church, and mysticism. I was very impressed by the amount of research the author must have done on these subjects in order to have this depth of knowledge. I was reading this on my Kindle and when I read about the author at the end of the book, I found that she moved to San Francisco from Scotland herself and is psychic to boot! Now I am wondering how much of the story is really an autobiography. June must have gone to Catholic School to know all she relates about the girls going to school.
The story takes us into the inner circle of a family that has secrets but there is only one person who knows what those secrets are. Living with an abusive father who wants daughters with strict Catholic values and mores and is willing to beat them into submission to get it. Mom fights dad to get him to allow the girls some normal freedoms as they grow towards adulthood but as things become tough mom retreats to her bedroom where she remains for long periods of time. Themes of abuse, the love of a family, family bonds, resiliency, overcoming odds and forgiveness will keep you turning the pages and wondering what will happen to the MacDonald's.
The story takes us into the inner circle of a family that has secrets but there is only one person who knows what those secrets are. Living with an abusive father who wants daughters with strict Catholic values and mores and is willing to beat them into submission to get it. Mom fights dad to get him to allow the girls some normal freedoms as they grow towards adulthood but as things become tough mom retreats to her bedroom where she remains for long periods of time. Themes of abuse, the love of a family, family bonds, resiliency, overcoming odds and forgiveness will keep you turning the pages and wondering what will happen to the MacDonald's.
January 30, 2010
I have never become so completely immersed with the storyline and characters as I have in The Skye in June. At an older age, I am in college for the first time. I received the book on Monday and immediately fell in love with it. I would go to work, school, home to take care of my family, do homework and then I would go back to the book. I found myself up to almost 3am each morning as I hated to put the book down. I just finished it 10 minutes ago and I wish it had never ended. The main character, June, quickly found her way into my heart. I also liked how here sisters were so different in personality, yet still had the binding of love connecting them. I did not realize the strenghth of Cathy, the mother, till the end of the book. She becomes such a different person in the way you see her and you cannot help but admire her courage. The main character, June, though is one which I will never forget. Throughout the book, I found myself aching for her and how the book ended put me at peace with her as well. Her special abilities made her so special, yet I think it was also her ability to see beyond people and care about their personal griefs and problems which also set her apart. I wish I had the right words to say how much I loved this book and how much it touched my heart. Thank you June Ahern for writing this book and most of all for becoming a writer.
January 4, 2013
J. Ahern's, "The Skye In June", was difficult for me to read at first for two reasons. Firstly, I do not enjoy reading stories with a religious theme and secondly, June's life and my life had similar parallels. We both grew up in strict religious homes and we both questioned what we were taught at an early age to no avail. However, the more I read, the more I learned and became comfortable with the story.
Many emotions were stirred up in me. Anger at the father for his violent abuse towards his family and his closed-mindedness. Disgust towards the mother for neglecting her children and wasting so many years hiding from herself. Frustration towards the people who would not listen to June and accept her for the person she was and at the strict moral codes of the time. I kept reminding myself that this is how people lived and thought back then and things that were shameful then are commonly accepted now.
In my mind, if a story does not cause an emotional response then it is not worth reading. "The Skye In June" is definitely worth reading.
I received "The Skye In June" from the author as a Goodreads Galley Edition.
Many emotions were stirred up in me. Anger at the father for his violent abuse towards his family and his closed-mindedness. Disgust towards the mother for neglecting her children and wasting so many years hiding from herself. Frustration towards the people who would not listen to June and accept her for the person she was and at the strict moral codes of the time. I kept reminding myself that this is how people lived and thought back then and things that were shameful then are commonly accepted now.
In my mind, if a story does not cause an emotional response then it is not worth reading. "The Skye In June" is definitely worth reading.
I received "The Skye In June" from the author as a Goodreads Galley Edition.
July 28, 2008
She writes about growing up Catholic and a psychic in the fifties in San Francisco. I enjoyed her depiction of the city and related to being an outsider in situation not of one's choosing.
July 1, 2015
This was an excellent story. This book brings out just about every emotion you have. Cathy Jimmy and their five girls move to San Francisco after Cathy has another miscarriage and almost dies. Right from the very beginning I didn’t like Jimmy. He came across as selfish and disrespectful. I saw this in the hospital where Cathy was having her seventh child, another girl. The doctor wanted her to stay longer because she had a rough delivery and Jimmy didn’t care. He told her that her place was at home that the kids needed her there.
I felt like I was in Scotland feeling the tension between the Protestants and the Catholics. The father was very involved in his Catholicism, but I’m not sure the church would have considered him a good Catholic.
You could tell there was tension in the family from the beginning of the book. It was raised a notch when Cathy names this daughter June going against the wishes of naming her after a saint like she did with all of her other daughters.
June is special. She seems to know things ahead of time. She always knew when Helen was sick.. She also was the one who alerted the adults to Helen's inability to breath.
Once they move to America June is branded as being different. This causes all kinds of problems with her father. I thought her father was mean and cruel when he was in Scotland. Once he got to America I really detested him. He became no longer verbally abusive, but physically abusive to all of the girls. They all grew to hate him. It was obvious when you heard them talking about how to kill him.
June doesn’t fit in with the Catholic faith and gets kicked out of the Catholic school. When she accidentally catches her robe on fire and is severely burned her father has her locked in the psych ward. Want to know how this affected the family? Will Cathy finally stand up to her husband? You must read this book to find out.
I felt like I was in Scotland feeling the tension between the Protestants and the Catholics. The father was very involved in his Catholicism, but I’m not sure the church would have considered him a good Catholic.
You could tell there was tension in the family from the beginning of the book. It was raised a notch when Cathy names this daughter June going against the wishes of naming her after a saint like she did with all of her other daughters.
June is special. She seems to know things ahead of time. She always knew when Helen was sick.. She also was the one who alerted the adults to Helen's inability to breath.
Once they move to America June is branded as being different. This causes all kinds of problems with her father. I thought her father was mean and cruel when he was in Scotland. Once he got to America I really detested him. He became no longer verbally abusive, but physically abusive to all of the girls. They all grew to hate him. It was obvious when you heard them talking about how to kill him.
June doesn’t fit in with the Catholic faith and gets kicked out of the Catholic school. When she accidentally catches her robe on fire and is severely burned her father has her locked in the psych ward. Want to know how this affected the family? Will Cathy finally stand up to her husband? You must read this book to find out.
July 15, 2012
"The Skye in June" explores the sometimes incompatible relationship between mysticism and faith. The novel's protagonist, June MacDonald, was born with a rare gift of being able to see and hear what others can't. Is she a gifted psychic or a schizophrenic? Doctors wrestle with the question, her mother senses she knows a higher truth and her father rails against the growing schism in his family's traditional Catholicism. What power is driving June to tarot cards, makeshift altars and seeking out other mystics? What causes June to self-harm? When the MacDonalds reach America, Cathy, the matriarch, announces, "In America the don't fight over religion." Ironically, it is the schism between Catholics and Protestants that has driven June's Catholic family out of Scotland. But in free America it is her family's religious schism that will slowly draw them apart. When it comes to religion, June questions everything, from the place of women in the Church to the use of idols and Catholicism's frowning on spells and witchcraft. While the novel's patriarch, Jimmy, slowly loses control over his family, it is Cathy who comes to embrace her Highland heritage, and marry it to June's special powers that peace finally descends over the troubled MacDonald clan. "The Skye in June" is a treasure-trove of Scottish lore and culture with rich, colorful characters in impossible situations. Will these traditional Catholic Scots be able to survive 1960's America with their kilts intact or will some adjustments have to be made? Only Calleach the mother goddess of Scotland knows for sure.
December 12, 2011
I won a free copy of this book through the Goodreads giveaways. I am so thankful that I was able to win this book. I don't throw around the term "favorite" too often, but this book has become one of my favorites. I was enthralled with the book from the first pages describing Cathy struggling with the difficult birth of her seventh daughter, June. The story perfectly blended death and sorrow, with growth, love, mysticism, and comedy. I loved each sister's unique personality. I loved learning about the Scottish language and culture, as well as following the growth of each sister. From the beginning you get the sense that there is an underlying mystery and sadness following Cathy. As the story unravels, you learn of her past and her deep connection with her daughter June. This book brought out so many different emotions. June's unique abilities cause her to have such a struggle and need for acceptance in her religious family.I felt so emotionally attached to her. It was a truly fascinating and wonderful read. I highly recommend this book!
December 1, 2012
June was the only one in her family without a Christian name. She blamed her mother for all the misfortune that brought her. June was the youngest girl of a strict Scottish Catholic family. She was unusual which brought her severe discipline from a violent father and strict nuns. She was often accused of being a witch.
This is a tale of the time before the sixties when people were still intolerant of those who were different and sometimes seemingly strange.
It is a story of a dysfunctional family where the mother spent much time in her bed which left her duties to fall on the eldest daughter and her sisters. he father was a devoted husband but a strict disciplinarian which was abusive. His wife and daughters feared him but his daughters felt much hate towards him.
The story begins with before June's birth and ends when June is faced with a mass of problems.
It is well-written and interesting. It is somewhat unique and well-worth the reader's time. It does have unnecessary profanity in it but only on a very few occasions.
I is a little drawn-out and repetitive but not bad.
This is a tale of the time before the sixties when people were still intolerant of those who were different and sometimes seemingly strange.
It is a story of a dysfunctional family where the mother spent much time in her bed which left her duties to fall on the eldest daughter and her sisters. he father was a devoted husband but a strict disciplinarian which was abusive. His wife and daughters feared him but his daughters felt much hate towards him.
The story begins with before June's birth and ends when June is faced with a mass of problems.
It is well-written and interesting. It is somewhat unique and well-worth the reader's time. It does have unnecessary profanity in it but only on a very few occasions.
I is a little drawn-out and repetitive but not bad.
April 12, 2010
I won a copy of this book through the First Reads and am very happy I did. From the first chapter I was absorbed into the lives of the MacDonald sisters. Although June, the youngest, is the main focus of the book, her sisters are fully developed characters. Ahern fully transports the reader into the 1950/60's with carefully noted details. While that is interesting, it's really the relationships between mothers, daughters and sisters that drive this book.
Through the MacDonalds, the reader experiences the full spectrum of human emotion. While there are the typical character clashes, much of the conflict plays out through the religious debate between Catholicism and paganism. Ahern treats both sides with fairness and compassion, and has managed to avoid sounding preachy for either.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking to be transported to a different time and experience the joys and sorrows of family.
Through the MacDonalds, the reader experiences the full spectrum of human emotion. While there are the typical character clashes, much of the conflict plays out through the religious debate between Catholicism and paganism. Ahern treats both sides with fairness and compassion, and has managed to avoid sounding preachy for either.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking to be transported to a different time and experience the joys and sorrows of family.
December 18, 2017
If you liked City of Redemption you will love The Skye in June!
After reading and enjoying Ahern’s City of Redemption, I was glad to read another of her books. I was not disappointed. The story focuses on the life of June MacDonald: How she comes to learn of her special gifts of prescience and being able to communicate with other worlds, and how her family finally comes to accept those special gifts. The story unfolds during a time of enormous change, beginning in Scotland in 1950 and carrying on in San Francisco during the wild times of the 1960s. The story and the characters grab you and don’t let go until you have finished the novel. Also, Ahern does a great job of evoking past times and past places. The author’s name and background are quite similar to the author’s, so the reader can’t help but wonder if some of it might be autobiographical. June Ahern is a great writer and story teller: I just wish she had written more novels!
After reading and enjoying Ahern’s City of Redemption, I was glad to read another of her books. I was not disappointed. The story focuses on the life of June MacDonald: How she comes to learn of her special gifts of prescience and being able to communicate with other worlds, and how her family finally comes to accept those special gifts. The story unfolds during a time of enormous change, beginning in Scotland in 1950 and carrying on in San Francisco during the wild times of the 1960s. The story and the characters grab you and don’t let go until you have finished the novel. Also, Ahern does a great job of evoking past times and past places. The author’s name and background are quite similar to the author’s, so the reader can’t help but wonder if some of it might be autobiographical. June Ahern is a great writer and story teller: I just wish she had written more novels!
January 22, 2023
I loved this book! I am a child of the 60s and wanted to go to San Francisco with flowers in my hair! The Macdonalds come to SF from Glasgow, Scotland in the 60s and experience all of the hippies movement and the gay and lesbian group coming out. It was a wonderful time to grow up and be a part of a wonderful decade.
The book starts out with Cathy MacDonald going to the hospital to deliver her sixth child by herself. She has a girl and does not name her for a saint, instead she names her June. By the time they move to America, June is 3 years old and starts "seeing" her angel and telling people about it.
The story develops from there and you are sorry to see them all go. I sat for awhile to digest it. It was extremely interesting and enjoyable.
This is an advanced copy that I received from Goodreads give-a-ways. I would recommend everyone read it when it comes out.
The book starts out with Cathy MacDonald going to the hospital to deliver her sixth child by herself. She has a girl and does not name her for a saint, instead she names her June. By the time they move to America, June is 3 years old and starts "seeing" her angel and telling people about it.
The story develops from there and you are sorry to see them all go. I sat for awhile to digest it. It was extremely interesting and enjoyable.
This is an advanced copy that I received from Goodreads give-a-ways. I would recommend everyone read it when it comes out.
September 27, 2014
June and her family moves from their homeland to America for a better life. Her father sends her and her sisters to a Catholic school, but June has a special gift. She can see visions. She meets people in her young life that teaches her how to use this special gift. When her father finds out he demands that she doesn't use it anymore because of their faith. She secretly learns to read tarrot cards and to use her visions properly behind her father's back.
This was a good book and I loved it. Reading about June and her sister's antics was amusing. A must read for anyone that likes to get a insight to the past and lives of a immigrant.
This was a good book and I loved it. Reading about June and her sister's antics was amusing. A must read for anyone that likes to get a insight to the past and lives of a immigrant.
July 15, 2025
I'm wavering between a 3 and a 4 on this one.
The story starts a little thin, but about halfway through it picks up. June talks older than she should when she's young, but that could be because she is psychic. It's a good story. Published in 2008 I have been sent an unedited first edition of the book by the author. I did fall in love with June. I was a bit surprised by the ending and wished the book could have gone on longer.
On second read it became a three. I find myself uncomfortable with the sisters this time around.
The story starts a little thin, but about halfway through it picks up. June talks older than she should when she's young, but that could be because she is psychic. It's a good story. Published in 2008 I have been sent an unedited first edition of the book by the author. I did fall in love with June. I was a bit surprised by the ending and wished the book could have gone on longer.
On second read it became a three. I find myself uncomfortable with the sisters this time around.
December 20, 2012
This book was really good. It was heartfelt and emotional, with a little bit of paranormal to make it all the more enticing. It follows the struggles of a young catholic girl named June who struggles to become accepted when she has psychic abilities that many Catholics, including her strict father, consider sinful. The reader finds themselves crying and struggling along with June and her sisters, appalled at some of the horrors they must face because they aren't living up to strict catholic standards.
March 5, 2017
Interesting
There were times that this book seemed to drag and other times when it moved quickly. Having been. brought up Roman Catholic I remember when it was unthinkable to marry, or even e close friends with someone who doesnt believe the same things you did. I wish I could say that kind of thinking is gone but while i dont believe the catholic church is quite as rigid a lot of that thinking still exists today. This story demonstrates just how destructive that thinking is.
There were times that this book seemed to drag and other times when it moved quickly. Having been. brought up Roman Catholic I remember when it was unthinkable to marry, or even e close friends with someone who doesnt believe the same things you did. I wish I could say that kind of thinking is gone but while i dont believe the catholic church is quite as rigid a lot of that thinking still exists today. This story demonstrates just how destructive that thinking is.
June 18, 2019
What a story!
Beautiful Story! Such an honest and touching story of a family immigrating to SF from Scotland, growing and changing with time. Little June was special and having her as a daughter and sibling must have been both exciting and puzzling. She was powerful in that she never wavered from her own spirit even though that caused her grief with her father who was rigid and a devout catholic. I started out in life in the neighborhood and school that June describes in the book. So many memories of the nuns, queen of the May, the streets. It was wonderful to go back.
Beautiful Story! Such an honest and touching story of a family immigrating to SF from Scotland, growing and changing with time. Little June was special and having her as a daughter and sibling must have been both exciting and puzzling. She was powerful in that she never wavered from her own spirit even though that caused her grief with her father who was rigid and a devout catholic. I started out in life in the neighborhood and school that June describes in the book. So many memories of the nuns, queen of the May, the streets. It was wonderful to go back.
January 1, 2012
I really loved this book because it talked about the up and downs that all people go through in life. Jimmy the father, reminded me of my dad and how when I got older he also had a hard time understanding and being able to relate to me. Life can be hard, but the mother Cathy was the girls rock and after all the turmoil that went on in their lives she was able to keep it together. Thank you June for this story.
September 6, 2016
Having grown up in a large, Irish, Catholic family in Scotland before moving to the San Francisco Bay Area, I felt a deep affinity with the Mac Donald family. It made me homesick! June Ahern did a great of illustrating life of the Scots family in America. I felt a deep empathy for the mother, Cathy.
This was a great read, but I think this book begs a sequel..... What happened to June and her gifts as she entered adulthood? Did Cathy and Jimmy part ways? Did Cathy ultimately find happiness?
This was a great read, but I think this book begs a sequel..... What happened to June and her gifts as she entered adulthood? Did Cathy and Jimmy part ways? Did Cathy ultimately find happiness?
January 8, 2018
This is an enchanting, endearing story, beginning and ending with a birth. The reader journeys with the Mac Donald family from Scotland to San Francisco and experiences their misfortunes and victories, their heartbreaks and hopes. We meet characters so richly interwoven as to come to the last page only wanting to begin again at the first. Highly recommended.
August 5, 2018
Truly a Great Novel to Read!!
Hello June,
Such an awesome story and I had trouble putting it down when I had to go do something else. A great job in describing the characters and your attention to detail was so good. Many times I felt like I was right there in the midst of everything. Definitely a book worth reading!
Hello June,
Such an awesome story and I had trouble putting it down when I had to go do something else. A great job in describing the characters and your attention to detail was so good. Many times I felt like I was right there in the midst of everything. Definitely a book worth reading!
June 8, 2011
With lively characters and an engaging story, this was an enjoyable read. It's also an emotional read as you follow this family through very hard times and losing loved ones, but it also has its humor. This is a good book to curl up with.
February 28, 2017
Good
This is a good book. Very interesting, learned something new. I like books with Irish and Scottish in it, so this was right up my alley. If you like history, family, and secrets, you will like this book.
This is a good book. Very interesting, learned something new. I like books with Irish and Scottish in it, so this was right up my alley. If you like history, family, and secrets, you will like this book.
March 15, 2011
I absolutely LOVED this book. Trials, Tribulations, Joy and Sorrow are all parts of this fantastic and magical tale. :) I would strongly recommend people read The Skye in June!!!
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