The Exile Breed

Irish Famine #2

by Charles Egan

'The Exile Breed' is a story of the Irish Famine in Ireland, Canada, England and the USA.

The Famine intensified in 1847. Many left, but hunger and fever followed them. Thousands died in the Irish ghettoes of Liverpool, Manchester and London. Many more died in the ships on the Atlantic, in the emigrant hospitals of Quebec and Montreal, in the forests and along the back-roads of Canada, and in the slums of New York and other American cities.

Those who survived went on to build new lives in the lands of the Irish Diaspora.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Ireland, Fiction

434 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 3, 2015

Reviews

[Cindy Deyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in the trilogy; I've started the last one ("Cold is the Dawn") now and will continue to be amazed at the resiliency of people who survive under incredibly seemingly unendurable circumstances. I call books like this studies of the human condition. They should be required readings in schools to teach perspective in these ever changing times.

[Mary Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent historical novel. This book carries one through all aspects of the famine and the play. So look forward to third book. These books should be required reading for sociology and political science as well as history.

[Christoph Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the fortunes of the Ryan family after the Irish Famine of 1847; namely that of Luke and his cousin Danny. It follows Luke on his journey to America and Danny to his new life in Liverpool, while also portraying those who remain in Mayo until mid 1848.
The book is very well researched and provides an enormous amount of insights. Details about the diaspora ships, travelling in ‘cattle class’ or on passenger ships are really well incorporated into the narrative and turned into a highlights to this reader. Information about banking, workhouses, politics, business and street life at the time adds to the richness of this novel.
The author refrains from using Irish language in the book and instead indicates via italics when Gaelic is being spoken, which makes the dialogues easy to follow. Technically, the book is almost flawless, bar from a Spanish Galleon being erroneously pictured on the cover.
The characters did not engage me as much as I would have liked but there are some great adventures and suspenseful moments that add spice to the narrative. An interesting read.

Reviewed for the Historical Novel Society, Indie section.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel follows the Irish famine in the years 1847 and 1848 where there is absolutely no relief from the misery and hopelessness experienced by the Irish. The covid problems we have now don't compare to what the country of Ireland and its people went through. The Ryan family although trying to keep their farm lose their oldest son Luke who must emigrate to America to provide the money to keep his parents and wife and unborn child alive. Pat also works to help them but in the end his job is also gone and he goes to work for his brother Danny who is the only one making enormous amounts of money on the backs of his countryman by paying almost no wages because there are no other jobs to be had. Luke survives a terrible crossing by ship to arrive in Quebec from where he hopes to travel to New York and then find his friend to help him get a job. Meanwhile the spring planting of the potato crop in the new year of 1848 looks terrific until the blight returns once again to rot the new year's crop.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Famine intensified in 1847. Many left, but hunger and fever followed them. Thousands died in the Irish ghettoes of Liverpool, Manchester and London. Many more died in the ships on the Atlantic, in the emigrant hospitals of Quebec and Montreal, in the forests and along the back-roads of Canada, and in the slums of New York and other American cities.

Those who survived went on to build new lives in the lands of the Irish Diaspora."

I enjoyed book 1 better. This told about the passage from Liverpool, England to Quebec. Luke made his way from Quebec to the forests for the winter then came to NYC by floating logs down the Hudson. Winnie has baby boy Liam and is preparing for her journey to NY.

[Dottie Beckerich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the 2nd in the series and it was great. As you read about the families and hardships it's just unreal To escape the famine of Ireland many are fleeing to America. The journey on the ships is awful. People dying of fever and they just toss them overboard and the smell of death and urine is everywhere. The crossing to America is difficult thru the winter months and they end up in Canada. They work for awhile in the forests doing logging and gradually make there way to New York. Once settled they send for there families. That's where this book ends and I'm reading for Nbr 3

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second of a Trilogy about the Irish Potato Famine in the 1840's and its consequences. Although, I must add, the author doesn't refer to it as a trilogy. But the same family and resulting diaspora. I have enjoyed it immensely. As I mentioned after reading the first book, it is all a bit of a Prodigal Son scenario but well written and it does keep the reader coming back to it again and again. I can imagine already how the final book will 'pan out'. Looking forward to seeing if I am wrong.

[Mary Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genecide

A more miserable tale you will not read about The Famine years in Ireland. Just when you think it can't get worse, it does. It's much worse than Angela's Ashes and shows man's inhumanity to man. Whether English,irish, French,or American. Factually true this account of the Ryan family is heart breaking and also shows strength of character. Compelling but don't expect to smile much.

[Pepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant storytelling

I spent a lot of time doing back up research while reading this wonderful series. I am of Irish descent on both sides of my father so I have known about tue Great Hunger since I was a little girl However no one ever shared the background in the detailed way Mr. Egan tells this story.
My heart hurts for the victims of this tragedy and is hot about the cold heartless acts of the landlords and the government involved.

[Wayne Inkster · Rating 4 out of 5]

The saga continues for the Ryan clan. Luke has gone to Canada to work, while his wife Winnie remains in Mayo with his parents. Pat continues to work for the Union but realizes that this job is short-lived due to finances. Their cousin Danny, in England, continues to expand his business on near slave labour.... To the point that his father, Murty, will no longer work for him.... Famine, financial downfall.... What next?

[Michal Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fiction based on the ancestors of Charles Egan. The story is true, based on actual newspaper clippings, letters, and correspondence. This book and the preceding and proceeding books follow Luke and his younger brother and their cousins of equal age, their difficulties in dealing with the Irish Potato Famine of the 1840’s, and their attempts to change their fates and the fates of their families.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes difficult to read because of the subject matter. I have even more respect for my Irish ancestors for surviving the times and immigrating to a strange, unbecoming country, and thriving. I'll take a break and read the third book. I recommend to anyone who is frustrated trying to find records for Irish ancestors.

[Eileen Burger]

I have learned much about my Irish roots, and understand the animosity of the English, Canadian and Americans towards the " cheap Irish labour".....very sad, and moving!
The strength of the Irish women, outstanding!
How very blessed, and fortunate are we to live in a different era, of plenty!
I understand my mother (RIP), and my Irish ancestors so much more!
Very well researched, and written.

[Gingerb]

Wow! I finished this last night. I've also read book one and have started the next in the series. My grandmother's ancestors came from Ireland, probably during this time period. I am amazed and saddened by this story. Knowing facts and fiction are mixed in. The inhumanity of people never fails to amaze me, parts of it are just too horrific to read and yet you have to. This is a must read series!

[Connie Pullum · Rating 4 out of 5]

And the sadness continues...

Book two continues the horrific story of famine, fever and a determined family to survive. I have grown attached to Luke and Winnie's story. The only thing I am not a fan of is the lack of description at times. I will complete the series and hope there is a light for Irish people.

[Mari Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting bit of history

Such a sad tale of what the Irish endured through potato famine and how little was done to help them by the English nobility. The Irish who had money did little more and exploited the poorest among them for their own greed. The author shows what a resilient bunch of people they all had to be to survive

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book in the compelling Irish Diaspora trilogy. Very good, very sad. So many dead; needless starvation, frantic families. Famine. No work. The sections where the protagonist emigrates to the United States through Canada is particularly enlightening and heartbreaking.

[Shirley Holsinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luke and Winnie...will they ever get together...

This is the second book I’ve read in the trilogy...good historical fiction. Had never read anything about the potato famine before. I am enjoying it.

[Penny Carney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar review to The Killing Snows. This 2nd in the trilogy enlightened me as to the plight of the Irish during the famine years but it could have been easily condensed without losing content. I intend to continue to the 3rd book and find out more about their lives after emigration.

[Kathy Wivell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part two of this family saga. The younger imembers of he Ryan family are forced to leave their parents and seek a better life in a new country sending money back to Ireland. This book tells of the moral dilemmas their cruel circumstances force upon them and the consequences of their decisions.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great follow up to The Killing Snows

So we'll researched with plenty of detail, but never boring. The characters are believable and you find yourself rooting for the. Now on to the next in the series.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with #1 of this trilogy I have learnt a lot about this famine, the consequences, misery and helplessness. Not to mention the inhumane treatment by others who profited from human suffering.
The author writes well portraying imagines for the reader to comprehend what it was like.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sad truth

The Exile breed explains why everyone you meet seems to have Irish heritage. It's a hard sad truth of a people desimmated by famine, disease and dispersal through the world as they struggle to survive. It's a wonder anyone survived.

[colette kerlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book

I really enjoyed this book, the second of the trilogy. It is a very sad story of a terrible time in the history of Ireland. I have purchased the final book of the trilogy and look forward to reading it.

[mary smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

so proud of.Mayo

I began this series because it is a story about my great grandfathers time in Ireland. He was from County Cork. I just can’t imagine his life. How horrible it was but he survived. This book as touched my soul.

[Cindy G · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Saga Continues

A lot of details which takes longer to read, but such a tragic part of history—certainly not to be forgotten. I’m anxious to continue to book 3. Will Luke and Winnie ever be united?

[Kathryn K. Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was too much like the first book, repeating same problems & chalenges over and over. I didn’t bother to finish it. I did enjoy the first in the trilogy, learned a lot about the famine and Black Death.

[Bridget McDaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story line and it's relation to history.

[Mrs Margaret Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book

This is a really good book. The things I didn't know about the those years of starvation it was unbelievable.

[Barbara Gauvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it - the first book got me into the country and culture. This second book was much better.