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Shadow of a Century
A journalist in modern New York stumbles across a story from a century earlier when the streets of Dublin were ablaze as men and women fought valiantly for liberation from the British Empire. This is the story of three women.
Mary Doyle was reared by nuns and knows nothing of her parents, except that they were a source of shame. Arriving to Dublin in 1913 at just eighteen years old, she is resigned to facing a lifetime of domestic service. Instead, however, her eyes are opened to the political and social turmoil of a fledgling nation struggling for independence. Suddenly, all that was once inevitable is no longer a certainty as she is embroiled in the very heart of the Easter Rising.
Scarlett O’Hara has overcome many hurdles to get where she is today, not least her name. A successful political analyst, on a reputable New York broadsheet, her seemingly perfect existence goes up in a blaze of media headlines when she makes one catastrophic error of judgement. As she tries to rebuild her life from the wreckage, she has no option but to start at the very beginning again.
Eileen Chiarello is ninety-three years old and she has a story that will draw her back to Ireland, the land her parents fought for and loved so passionately. A chance meeting with Scarlett gives her the opportunity to fulfil a promise she feared she never could.
Shadow of a Century is the story of three women, whose stories are inextricably linked over the span of a century.
Mary Doyle was reared by nuns and knows nothing of her parents, except that they were a source of shame. Arriving to Dublin in 1913 at just eighteen years old, she is resigned to facing a lifetime of domestic service. Instead, however, her eyes are opened to the political and social turmoil of a fledgling nation struggling for independence. Suddenly, all that was once inevitable is no longer a certainty as she is embroiled in the very heart of the Easter Rising.
Scarlett O’Hara has overcome many hurdles to get where she is today, not least her name. A successful political analyst, on a reputable New York broadsheet, her seemingly perfect existence goes up in a blaze of media headlines when she makes one catastrophic error of judgement. As she tries to rebuild her life from the wreckage, she has no option but to start at the very beginning again.
Eileen Chiarello is ninety-three years old and she has a story that will draw her back to Ireland, the land her parents fought for and loved so passionately. A chance meeting with Scarlett gives her the opportunity to fulfil a promise she feared she never could.
Shadow of a Century is the story of three women, whose stories are inextricably linked over the span of a century.
644 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2015
5740 people are currently reading
2144 people want to read
About the author
Jean Grainger
88 books1,582 followersJean Grainger was born in Cork, Ireland. She has been a tour guide of her beloved home country, a teacher, a university lecturer and a playwright. She began writing fiction at the suggestion of her clients on tours, many of whom were sure all the stories she told them would make for a great book. Her first book, The Tour, has become a Number 1 bestseller on Amazon. It tells the story of a disparate group of American visitors to Ireland, who, along with their Irish tour guide have a life changing experience in the magical Emerald Isle.
Her second book, So Much Owed, is a family saga set during the Second World War. The story centres on the Buckley family of West Cork and how their lives are pulled in different directions as they become embroiled in the war. It is a sweeping family saga of intrigue and romance against the background of occupied Europe.
In her third novel, Shadow of a Century, she tells a tale of a battered old flag found in New York in 2016, a century after it was used during the Easter Rising, when Ireland made her final bid for freedom from Great Britain. This tells the story of a journalist who uncovers a story, one with much more to it than a flag.
Her fourth novel, due out in Spring 2016, Under Heaven’s Shining Stars, is set in the 1970s in Cork, Ireland and is a novel about friendship. Three boys, Liam, Patrick and Hugo, though from very different backgrounds are united in a deep but often times challenging friendship. As their lives progress, only by staying strong, can they prevail. Or fail.
Her novella, Letters of Freedom, tells the story of Carmel, stuck in a pointless marriage, when a figure from her past emerges and changes everything with a ‘like’ on Facebook. This quick read will touch your heart.
She lives in Cork with her husband and her two youngest children. The older two come home occasionally with laundry and to raid the fridge.
Her second book, So Much Owed, is a family saga set during the Second World War. The story centres on the Buckley family of West Cork and how their lives are pulled in different directions as they become embroiled in the war. It is a sweeping family saga of intrigue and romance against the background of occupied Europe.
In her third novel, Shadow of a Century, she tells a tale of a battered old flag found in New York in 2016, a century after it was used during the Easter Rising, when Ireland made her final bid for freedom from Great Britain. This tells the story of a journalist who uncovers a story, one with much more to it than a flag.
Her fourth novel, due out in Spring 2016, Under Heaven’s Shining Stars, is set in the 1970s in Cork, Ireland and is a novel about friendship. Three boys, Liam, Patrick and Hugo, though from very different backgrounds are united in a deep but often times challenging friendship. As their lives progress, only by staying strong, can they prevail. Or fail.
Her novella, Letters of Freedom, tells the story of Carmel, stuck in a pointless marriage, when a figure from her past emerges and changes everything with a ‘like’ on Facebook. This quick read will touch your heart.
She lives in Cork with her husband and her two youngest children. The older two come home occasionally with laundry and to raid the fridge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 314 reviews
May 27, 2016
I should have re-read Morgan Llewelyn's "1916." I've read it twice and loved it both times. So I thought that in honor of the anniversary of the Rising, I would read something else. Unfortunately, "Shadow of a Century" was a huge disappointment. Given all the 4- and 5-star reviews, I expected better. I felt that the characters were shallow and stereotyped. And frankly, Scarlett, I didn't give a damn about her. She was whiny and self-absorbed. The plot was thinly pieced together. For instance...the whole thing about Boland's Mills was never followed up. Nor does the timeline fit. The characters refer to Rory insulting Mr Grant in the street as a recent event in 1916, but if you read closely, the incident occurred over a year before. And what a slim motive for Mr Grant's actions! In one place early on, it's said that Eileen is born in 1922, but when we actually get to Eileen's birth, it's not 1922 yet. I suspect the author fudged the timeline so that Eileen could be believably alive and functioning well in 2015. And so on. The whole book badly needs an editor. I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room every time one of the characters said "alright." Which they did every couple of screens. Nails on a chalkboard for me. That is NOT a word. The author spends multiple chapters referring to the crazy priest Father Ennio as "Fr" - no period - and then suddenly halfway through the book she spells it out as Father, and then by the end she is referring to him as "Fr" again. (For the record, it should be spelled out.) The grammatical errors abound. I was frequently rolling my eyes and asking myself why I bothered continuing to read...and I'm not sure I know why I stuck with it. I think I saw the potential and was hoping it would get better. It never really did, though, and none of the plot developments were at all surprising or unique. If you are considering "Shadow of a Century," trust me: read "1916" instead.
December 30, 2016
I enjoyed this book! A cute love story mixed in with the history of Ireland's struggle for independence. As an American who is very proud of the founding of our nation, and someone who comes from the Clan Grant of Scottland (They fought in the Jacobite uprising against the British), I am drawn to the history of all those who have fought for their independence from the British Empire. I have been recently learning more about Ireland's struggle and while this isn't a history book I very much enjoyed it and it gave me more information to do more research on.
June 4, 2023
Intertwining stories from modern-day America and early 20th-century Dublin, this stunning read delves into one of the most turbulent times in Irish history.
Are you looking for a captivating, riveting, and emotional novel that will pull at your heartstrings?
I discovered this book on my Kindle and am so happy that I decided to read it. I truly loved this story and I was glued to the book! I look forward to reading more stories by Jean Grainger.
5 stars
February 4, 2017
This was an interesting historical fiction story. I didn't know about the Irish uprising in 1916 so it was fun to learn about that while witnessing the growing friendship in the current day story between Scarlett and Eileen.
December 19, 2021
If only it had focused on the past and deleted everything present day! The present day was so ridiculous and just took away from the story line (also it felt overly explanatory of how we should view life, parents, etc.) The story of Easter Rising was great and deserved more focus. Some pieces felt truncated and just forced. Still makes me want to read more of the time period…
April 14, 2022
Scarlett O'Hara (No, not that Scarlett O'Hara) grew up in New York in an abusive home with a brutal alcoholic Irish father and a Southern Belle mother who turned to religion, movies, and obsessing about Hollywood stars to cope with their unhappy life. When the father is killed in an accident, Scarlett's life becomes more stable. Now twenty-something, she recently landed her dream job as a political correspondent with a top New York newspaper--and quickly lost it when a scandal broke, involving her and a married, high profile politician.
In the wake of her fall from grace, Scarlett goes back to her former job with her old editor at a much smaller newspaper and is reduced to writing "Human Interest" stories.
Eileen Chiarello is a 93 year old robbery victim whose house was ransacked in a string of crimes against elderly people in her Queens neighborhood. She agrees to let Scarlett interview her for a story about her experience. Scarlett finds the elderly lady so sweet and personable and her story so touching that she stays after the interview and and helps to clean up the mess the robbers left. They recover a precious object that had belonged to Eileen's mother and was feared to have been stolen. The two strike up a friendship as Eileen tells its story.
Mary Doyle, born out of wedlock around 1900, grew up in a Catholic orphanage where the nuns taught children like her that they were marked by the sin of their parents. Once past infancy, the orphans lived only to work and attend church, friendships were not allowed, and punishments harsh. Like all the others, when Mary became 18, she was told she's no longer the nuns' responsibility and turned out. She found a job as a maid in the household of a kind mistress, Mrs. Grant, whose husband was exactly the opposite. On the bright side, Mary met Eileen O'Dwyer, a maid in a nearby home and the two became fast friends, spending their Sundays off together going for walks, having tea and shopping-a life Mary had never known. Eileen introduced Mary to her brother Rory, and Mary soon discovered that both Eileen and Rory were secretly involved in the Resistance-a movement for Irish independence whose intention was to drive the British out of Ireland and establish home rule. To her surprise, Mrs. Grant and many others both wealthy and poor secretly supported the cause.
When Mrs Chiarello is invited to Ireland to present an artifact she owns for the upcoming 100 year anniversary of the Easter Rising, a day of tragedy that nevertheless, led to Ireland's freedom, Scarlett realizes that the elderly Eileen can't possibly go alone. Knowing what the trip means to her friend, she offers to go along. Besides, Scarlett's father was Irish, and though she despised him, it means she IS half Irish thanks to him.
The trip proves meaningful and rewarding to them both, as they discover more about Eileen's heritage and her parents, and Scarlett discovers that maybe she CAN overcome the scandal and trust again.
In the wake of her fall from grace, Scarlett goes back to her former job with her old editor at a much smaller newspaper and is reduced to writing "Human Interest" stories.
Eileen Chiarello is a 93 year old robbery victim whose house was ransacked in a string of crimes against elderly people in her Queens neighborhood. She agrees to let Scarlett interview her for a story about her experience. Scarlett finds the elderly lady so sweet and personable and her story so touching that she stays after the interview and and helps to clean up the mess the robbers left. They recover a precious object that had belonged to Eileen's mother and was feared to have been stolen. The two strike up a friendship as Eileen tells its story.
Mary Doyle, born out of wedlock around 1900, grew up in a Catholic orphanage where the nuns taught children like her that they were marked by the sin of their parents. Once past infancy, the orphans lived only to work and attend church, friendships were not allowed, and punishments harsh. Like all the others, when Mary became 18, she was told she's no longer the nuns' responsibility and turned out. She found a job as a maid in the household of a kind mistress, Mrs. Grant, whose husband was exactly the opposite. On the bright side, Mary met Eileen O'Dwyer, a maid in a nearby home and the two became fast friends, spending their Sundays off together going for walks, having tea and shopping-a life Mary had never known. Eileen introduced Mary to her brother Rory, and Mary soon discovered that both Eileen and Rory were secretly involved in the Resistance-a movement for Irish independence whose intention was to drive the British out of Ireland and establish home rule. To her surprise, Mrs. Grant and many others both wealthy and poor secretly supported the cause.
When Mrs Chiarello is invited to Ireland to present an artifact she owns for the upcoming 100 year anniversary of the Easter Rising, a day of tragedy that nevertheless, led to Ireland's freedom, Scarlett realizes that the elderly Eileen can't possibly go alone. Knowing what the trip means to her friend, she offers to go along. Besides, Scarlett's father was Irish, and though she despised him, it means she IS half Irish thanks to him.
The trip proves meaningful and rewarding to them both, as they discover more about Eileen's heritage and her parents, and Scarlett discovers that maybe she CAN overcome the scandal and trust again.
July 6, 2016
Two time periods - Ireland in the 1910s and present day U.S. The author jumps back and forth telling each story. The first time the story switched back in time, I though it was jarring. Suddenly I was reading about totally different characters, which at the time, had nothing to do with the ones I had read about in the present. Eventually it all comes together, but I felt it took too long and was too repetitious.
Scarlett, in the present, finds an elderly woman living alone who'd just been robbed, when she's sent to do a newspaper story about the break-ins. The woman takes Scarlett under her wing and they bond. Maybe I read two or three similar stories like this so I felt like I've read the story line before. I also felt more should have been revealed about Eileen, the older woman, at the beginning so the reader would be invested in the other story- the Irish Uprising. Historically, the author did her research and I learned a lot about that era. Again, getting to the end was slow-going just to find out how all the pieces fit together.
Scarlett, in the present, finds an elderly woman living alone who'd just been robbed, when she's sent to do a newspaper story about the break-ins. The woman takes Scarlett under her wing and they bond. Maybe I read two or three similar stories like this so I felt like I've read the story line before. I also felt more should have been revealed about Eileen, the older woman, at the beginning so the reader would be invested in the other story- the Irish Uprising. Historically, the author did her research and I learned a lot about that era. Again, getting to the end was slow-going just to find out how all the pieces fit together.
June 26, 2017
Two stories told in parallel. The modern day story, so-so, but the historical story, wow! Vivid narration of the Easter Rising in Dublin, 1916. Well told! I felt like I was there.
January 19, 2024
Historical fiction surrounding the Easter Rebellion in Ireland that took place in 1916. The author takes a two track approach to this Irish revolution, a modern day journalist looking back with an elderly woman coupled with participants in the actual Rebellion. A reasonable tale although slow to develop. The times were interesting but it took effort to read though this telling of the tale.
April 30, 2018
This story definitely held my interest a lot more than I expected it to. The longer I read, the more I was invested in seeing Mary, and Scarlett, to their happy endings, and learning Eileen's connection to the Irish Revolution in the early 20th century. Mary and Rory's love story was poignant and tragic; Eileen's pride in her heritage and dedication to the memory of her parent's sacrifices was moving and heartfelt; and Scarlett's healing process following her career-ending misstep at the outset of the novel. Before I knew it, I was enthralled and didn't want to stop reading!
The story starts off as a scandalous story of an up-and-coming political reporter, Scarlett O'Hara, caught in a scandalous affair with a politician known for his family-orientated campaign image. As her career crumbles around her, Scarlett find a friend (and welcome distraction) in the story of an elderly woman named Eileen. Eileen is the daughter of an Irish immigrant with a very direct tie to the 1916 Irish war for independence from British rule.
The story then cuts between the story of Scarlett and Eileen healing each other's wounds in 2015/2016 and the story of a young woman named Mary and her role in the Irish revolution. Mary, her best friend Eileen O'Dwyer, Mary's employer Mrs. Grant, and Mrs. Grant's housekeeper Mrs. Kearns the ladies become active and enthusiastic members of Cumann na mBan, or Women's Army, and their participation in the Easter Rising of 1916. During all this, Mary falls in love with Eileen's older brother Rory, a handsome young man with dreams of a free Ireland as well. Mary and Rory's love story is wound in the events of the Revolution.
The story starts off as a scandalous story of an up-and-coming political reporter, Scarlett O'Hara, caught in a scandalous affair with a politician known for his family-orientated campaign image. As her career crumbles around her, Scarlett find a friend (and welcome distraction) in the story of an elderly woman named Eileen. Eileen is the daughter of an Irish immigrant with a very direct tie to the 1916 Irish war for independence from British rule.
The story then cuts between the story of Scarlett and Eileen healing each other's wounds in 2015/2016 and the story of a young woman named Mary and her role in the Irish revolution. Mary, her best friend Eileen O'Dwyer, Mary's employer Mrs. Grant, and Mrs. Grant's housekeeper Mrs. Kearns the ladies become active and enthusiastic members of Cumann na mBan, or Women's Army, and their participation in the Easter Rising of 1916. During all this, Mary falls in love with Eileen's older brother Rory, a handsome young man with dreams of a free Ireland as well. Mary and Rory's love story is wound in the events of the Revolution.
August 3, 2017
Shadow of a Century by Jean Grainger
This is a story of two Irish women, Mary in Ireland in 1916 and Scarlett in present day New York. The women are connected through a very old woman, Eileen, and a relic of the 1916 Irish Easter Rising. The stories smoothly weave back and forth between the past and present and I was drawn to both the Mary and Scarlett. Mary leaves an orphanage as an 18-year-old and is quickly drawn into the Irish cause and the rebellion against the English occupiers and becomes a participant in the Easter Rising. Mary’s story is one of strength, determination and love in a time of war. Scarlett struggles with her Irish American heritage and her father’s alcoholism and domestic abuse. Eileen provides closure to Mary’s story and a way forward for Scarlett. The characters are complex and read as believable, relatable people. I would have liked for Mary’s story to have a happier ending, but while that would have satisfied my longing for happy endings it wouldn’t have been true to the time. This book gave me plenty to think about when considering my Irish heritage.
This is a story of two Irish women, Mary in Ireland in 1916 and Scarlett in present day New York. The women are connected through a very old woman, Eileen, and a relic of the 1916 Irish Easter Rising. The stories smoothly weave back and forth between the past and present and I was drawn to both the Mary and Scarlett. Mary leaves an orphanage as an 18-year-old and is quickly drawn into the Irish cause and the rebellion against the English occupiers and becomes a participant in the Easter Rising. Mary’s story is one of strength, determination and love in a time of war. Scarlett struggles with her Irish American heritage and her father’s alcoholism and domestic abuse. Eileen provides closure to Mary’s story and a way forward for Scarlett. The characters are complex and read as believable, relatable people. I would have liked for Mary’s story to have a happier ending, but while that would have satisfied my longing for happy endings it wouldn’t have been true to the time. This book gave me plenty to think about when considering my Irish heritage.
July 14, 2020
No Pronunciations
This book was really interesting. It actually was hard to put down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next, it had that element of suspense. The history of the Easter Rising of 1916 and the fight for Ireland's independence was brought to life. You actually become attached to all the characters of the book, both past and present, and want to know want what's going to happen to them next. My only real big problem with this book, is that there is a LOT of Gaelic spoken, and only once towards the end of the book is the a pronunciation provided for the word. It is also one of the only times there is a translation. I have read other books that use Gaelic, and if the author does not want to take up the space in the story, they will at least provide a page at the beginning or end with all the words used with their pronunciations. Overall, this was a really good book!
This book was really interesting. It actually was hard to put down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next, it had that element of suspense. The history of the Easter Rising of 1916 and the fight for Ireland's independence was brought to life. You actually become attached to all the characters of the book, both past and present, and want to know want what's going to happen to them next. My only real big problem with this book, is that there is a LOT of Gaelic spoken, and only once towards the end of the book is the a pronunciation provided for the word. It is also one of the only times there is a translation. I have read other books that use Gaelic, and if the author does not want to take up the space in the story, they will at least provide a page at the beginning or end with all the words used with their pronunciations. Overall, this was a really good book!
April 12, 2018
When Scarlet’s world crashes and she meets a sweet older Irish woman, she has the opportunity to dig deep into her Irish heritage and replace her association of Ireland and her abusive father with something much richer and packed with an incredible story culminating in front of her eyes.
In an Ireland on the brink of the Easter Uprising, Mary Doyle’s story is told parallel to Scarlet’s...in my opinion, it is in the deep historical account Jean Grainger’s strength lies. I learned so much about Irish history and was captivated by Mary and her sweetheart, Rory, as they dedicated themselves to an independent Ireland.
A valuable account of the revolution and a sweet love story, I would recommend this to anyone wanting to learn and little and read a romance at the same time.
In an Ireland on the brink of the Easter Uprising, Mary Doyle’s story is told parallel to Scarlet’s...in my opinion, it is in the deep historical account Jean Grainger’s strength lies. I learned so much about Irish history and was captivated by Mary and her sweetheart, Rory, as they dedicated themselves to an independent Ireland.
A valuable account of the revolution and a sweet love story, I would recommend this to anyone wanting to learn and little and read a romance at the same time.
August 29, 2016
Awesome Read
I kept reading even when I had things to do. The intensity of the story, along with historical authenticity, even though it is a work of history and fiction intertwined.
I kept reading even when I had things to do. The intensity of the story, along with historical authenticity, even though it is a work of history and fiction intertwined.
Read
September 30, 2023I don't really know what star rating to give this novel.
I hesitate because, although the story was good, the ideals in this book are very dangerous. I'm going to include some spoilers in here so if you intend to read it, please don't read further but if you want to read it but also want to be cautious, carry on.
The main character in the 21st century, Scarlett O'Hara (First a book, then a movie I should add that was never really brought out.) is having an affair with a married man. Of course it ends very badly for her but the influential heroes in the story continually tell her "It wasn't your fault. You made a decision out of love, and decisions out of love are never wrong. Besides, it was his fault. He shouldn't have pursued you." So basically it was okay for her to pursue a married man but it was wrong of him to give in. In other words, it's okay to pursue someone who's married. And if you love them, then it isn't wrong either. Very, very dangerous and wrong. Affairs are never, never okay no matter how much you "love" someone and pursuing someone else's spouse is wrong, whether they reciprocate or not. Even if this wasn't the intent of the author to write this into the book, this is how I took it and others probably would, too.
Feminism was also highly regarded. However it was during 1916 and the Cumman na mBan (Pardon the spelling) was a real thing so that's historical. It was also fascinating, that portion of Irish history I did not know.
There were several jabs at religion, too. I'm not Catholic, but I respect the person's right to believe what they believe and not slander it. For my own religion (Christianity) there was a special jab at that in one of the chapters where a psychiatric doctor was talking about delusions that patients have and how it effects their lives and the "Resurrection" was sure to be mentioned. Basically saying that the Resurrection was a delusion and that people who believed in it were crazy for basing their lives on it. I almost quit reading after that.
There is a bunch of cussing in the book too, but it does let up about halfway through.
Other than the ideals, the story was fairly good. It was the kind of tragic romance that I love. I didn't care for any of the modern characters (except Eileen even with her incorrect ideals about loving a married man) but the characters from 1916 were wonderful. I wish the story was just about them and only a little about the modern characters. The exciting story about the Easter uprising was thrilling and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
It was really hard to keep track of dialogue, though. Sometimes I got really confused about who was talking or who was being spoken too. A lot of characters talked in monologues. Lots and lots of monologues. Which is unique because that's really how most conversations go nowadays but it was very boring to read those. I skipped most of them lol.
I think that the ending was incredibly anti climatic and very unsatisfying.
But the storyline was good. I really loved getting to read about some Irish history that I didn't know and the Irish portions were very exciting.
I hesitate because, although the story was good, the ideals in this book are very dangerous. I'm going to include some spoilers in here so if you intend to read it, please don't read further but if you want to read it but also want to be cautious, carry on.
The main character in the 21st century, Scarlett O'Hara (First a book, then a movie I should add that was never really brought out.) is having an affair with a married man. Of course it ends very badly for her but the influential heroes in the story continually tell her "It wasn't your fault. You made a decision out of love, and decisions out of love are never wrong. Besides, it was his fault. He shouldn't have pursued you." So basically it was okay for her to pursue a married man but it was wrong of him to give in. In other words, it's okay to pursue someone who's married. And if you love them, then it isn't wrong either. Very, very dangerous and wrong. Affairs are never, never okay no matter how much you "love" someone and pursuing someone else's spouse is wrong, whether they reciprocate or not. Even if this wasn't the intent of the author to write this into the book, this is how I took it and others probably would, too.
Feminism was also highly regarded. However it was during 1916 and the Cumman na mBan (Pardon the spelling) was a real thing so that's historical. It was also fascinating, that portion of Irish history I did not know.
There were several jabs at religion, too. I'm not Catholic, but I respect the person's right to believe what they believe and not slander it. For my own religion (Christianity) there was a special jab at that in one of the chapters where a psychiatric doctor was talking about delusions that patients have and how it effects their lives and the "Resurrection" was sure to be mentioned. Basically saying that the Resurrection was a delusion and that people who believed in it were crazy for basing their lives on it. I almost quit reading after that.
There is a bunch of cussing in the book too, but it does let up about halfway through.
Other than the ideals, the story was fairly good. It was the kind of tragic romance that I love. I didn't care for any of the modern characters (except Eileen even with her incorrect ideals about loving a married man) but the characters from 1916 were wonderful. I wish the story was just about them and only a little about the modern characters. The exciting story about the Easter uprising was thrilling and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
It was really hard to keep track of dialogue, though. Sometimes I got really confused about who was talking or who was being spoken too. A lot of characters talked in monologues. Lots and lots of monologues. Which is unique because that's really how most conversations go nowadays but it was very boring to read those. I skipped most of them lol.
I think that the ending was incredibly anti climatic and very unsatisfying.
But the storyline was good. I really loved getting to read about some Irish history that I didn't know and the Irish portions were very exciting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2020
I loved this book and Jean Granger is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. It tells the story of three women. Mary is an orphan, turned out of the orphanage by the nuns when she turned eighteen. She comes to Dublin and becomes part of the Easter Rising. Scarlett is an American whose life is turned upside down by a disastrous decision of the heart. And Eileen is the elderly woman that becomes Scarlett's friend, against all odds. The story goes back and forth between Mary and Scarlett and it all gets tied together at the end. I know all about Ireland's fight for independence and this book did a good job of telling it from the Irish side. Very well written and I was sad to read the last page. Highly recommended.
April 22, 2023
This was a lovely book. I do love a good Irish tale, and Jean Grainger really knows how to tell them. Mixed with some history, and a romance for the ages, it was just beautifully told. I never wanted it to end. I didn't start out liking the mix of modern day with the old-time story, but ultimately it worked together and told the whole story. Loved this book.
January 19, 2023
I liked the Irish side of the story in 1916, and the modern day parts about Eileen. I did not like Scarlett or her mother’s story. It took away from the good parts of the story, with unlikable characters that you really didn’t care about.
February 17, 2020
Shadow of a Century: An Irish Love Story is by Jean Grainger. This novel tells two stories in alternating chapters and then stories then merge into one story. It is really a wonderful story and one that brings lots of emotions to the forefront. (Have tissues ready.) Once more Jean Grainger has managed to create a story that pulls the reader into it and keeps you prisoner until you are finished. It is extremely hard to put down once you get started. The Irish rebellion for freedom is a story that needs to be told from a personal level. In this story, Jean manages to tell a small part of the rebellion in such a fashion. She takes the story of three unlikely women of varying ages and combines them into one story with the Irish rebellion as the background. She makes it work.
Mary Doyle was an orphan who went to Dublin in 1913 to start a life of domestic service. Little does she know that she will become embroiled in the first steps of fighting for a new nation. Her story begins in an orphanage and ends in America. It is a story filled with love and loss.
Scarlet O’Hara is a journalist who becomes involved with a married politician and whose career and life goes down in flames when he denounces her as a stalker and home breaker. Scarlet binds her wounds and applies to an old mentor for a job. He sends her to report on a burglary. This leads to a complete change in her life as she follows the story of a bloodied flag back to the Irish rebellion.
Eileen Chiarello had her home broken into and burgled. When she arrives back home after being in the hospital, she meets with Scarlet. As Scarlet helps her put her house back together, Eileen is concerned only for one missing object- a bloodied flag wrapped in an old sheet. This is the one heirloom from her Mother that means the most to her.
The stories and lives of these three women converge and meld into a wonderful love story and a story of adventure. It is definitely a story that should not be missed.
Mary Doyle was an orphan who went to Dublin in 1913 to start a life of domestic service. Little does she know that she will become embroiled in the first steps of fighting for a new nation. Her story begins in an orphanage and ends in America. It is a story filled with love and loss.
Scarlet O’Hara is a journalist who becomes involved with a married politician and whose career and life goes down in flames when he denounces her as a stalker and home breaker. Scarlet binds her wounds and applies to an old mentor for a job. He sends her to report on a burglary. This leads to a complete change in her life as she follows the story of a bloodied flag back to the Irish rebellion.
Eileen Chiarello had her home broken into and burgled. When she arrives back home after being in the hospital, she meets with Scarlet. As Scarlet helps her put her house back together, Eileen is concerned only for one missing object- a bloodied flag wrapped in an old sheet. This is the one heirloom from her Mother that means the most to her.
The stories and lives of these three women converge and meld into a wonderful love story and a story of adventure. It is definitely a story that should not be missed.
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January 6, 2017I really enjoyed this story. I took one star off of the review because it suffers from some grammatical issues, timeline issues, and an abrupt ending. I think this book is self-published; I have noticed with many self-published books that there are grammar and spelling problems. I don't often mention grammar and spelling issues but it's enough of an issue here that it's worth mentioning.
The timeline is difficult to grasp. One reason why is that the specific age of one of the main characters is not stated until much later in the book. In fact, only one character's age is mentioned up front and I'm not even sure about that one. So, perhaps none of the ages are stated until the elderly character later in the book. This throws the timeline into confusion and is distracting.
The ending is abrupt and I felt that it could have been improved if the author had included in the story having the characters go to the orphanage where one of the characters had grown up. Perhaps her parentage could have been tied in with some of the other characters in the story.
That all said, this is a really good story. As I mentioned, I think this book is self-published. If so, it definitely has the potential to be picked up and republished by one of the larger publishing houses. The story pulled me in immediately and kept me reading even with the issues that I mentioned above. And the story is complex. There is the main story of the book and then the story of one of the main characters, so multiple stories in one. Yet, it doesn't feel too busy and, with the exception of the abrupt ending, it doesn't feel fragmented.
I recommend this story if you like historical fiction. I even recommend it for readers like me, who don't usually like much in the "romance" category.
The timeline is difficult to grasp. One reason why is that the specific age of one of the main characters is not stated until much later in the book. In fact, only one character's age is mentioned up front and I'm not even sure about that one. So, perhaps none of the ages are stated until the elderly character later in the book. This throws the timeline into confusion and is distracting.
The ending is abrupt and I felt that it could have been improved if the author had included in the story having the characters go to the orphanage where one of the characters had grown up. Perhaps her parentage could have been tied in with some of the other characters in the story.
That all said, this is a really good story. As I mentioned, I think this book is self-published. If so, it definitely has the potential to be picked up and republished by one of the larger publishing houses. The story pulled me in immediately and kept me reading even with the issues that I mentioned above. And the story is complex. There is the main story of the book and then the story of one of the main characters, so multiple stories in one. Yet, it doesn't feel too busy and, with the exception of the abrupt ending, it doesn't feel fragmented.
I recommend this story if you like historical fiction. I even recommend it for readers like me, who don't usually like much in the "romance" category.
August 12, 2020
Wow. This was a mouthful, but not in a good way. Jean Grainger obviously has some personal vendetta to appease (and I read the post-script, so don't come at me). Why is it that every British person in this book, or those loyal to Britain, are perceived as crooks, traitors, and overall horrible people while every Irish person who is fighting for a republic is some kind of saint? It makes your story unbelievable and makes you seem overtly biased and uninformed. Anyways, into the actual story. Scarlett is an unlikable character whose love story is too rushed. She's also just a terrible person. This book makes it seem like affairs aren't a bad thing. I recall it saying "You just fell in love with the wrong person ". Well, too bad! Pursuing relationships with married people is not to be encouraged. No one in the story blames Scarlett, the poor little thing, and tried to justify it. Also, this book just crammed in every Irish reference it could, didn't it? Besides throwing in Gaelic (probably from Google translate) it made the Irish folks involved explain every single little detail to the "stupid Americans". I know it's from a freedom-fighter POV but it's basically rewriting history. How I managed to get through it, I'll never know.
August 8, 2015
Scarlett O'Hara is an up and coming journalist until she makes the mistake of having an affair with a very public figure. Her previous editor tries to help her get back on her feet. The seemingly small story he ask her to cover regarding an attempted burglary on a 93 year old woman, Eileen, proves to be her lifeline and redemption. Eileen has a history worth telling and the friendship that develops between Scarlett and Eileen helps them both to achieve want they need at this time in their lives
The characters in this novel have such depth and are easy to like and cheer for. The history of the rift between Ireland and England as told from the Irish perspective brings to life what families were willing to fight for and believe in. There is romance but this book is mostly about family ties, friendships, history, forgiveness and coming full circle. A good read.
The characters in this novel have such depth and are easy to like and cheer for. The history of the rift between Ireland and England as told from the Irish perspective brings to life what families were willing to fight for and believe in. There is romance but this book is mostly about family ties, friendships, history, forgiveness and coming full circle. A good read.
March 8, 2017
Some quick thoughts:
This book... Eileen's (and Mary and Rory's) story is beautiful and moving. Which is why I gave it 4 stars. The book itself, however... definitely needs some editing.
Scarlett was a pretty thin character in the beginning, so I'm glad she had a little more oomph towards the end.
Lorena needs... something. She never quite seems real.
Mary is the best character. Her story is fleshed out the best and she feels real and believable.
This book... Eileen's (and Mary and Rory's) story is beautiful and moving. Which is why I gave it 4 stars. The book itself, however... definitely needs some editing.
Scarlett was a pretty thin character in the beginning, so I'm glad she had a little more oomph towards the end.
Lorena needs... something. She never quite seems real.
Mary is the best character. Her story is fleshed out the best and she feels real and believable.
September 10, 2018
I enjoyed this book more than I expected. It was two stories in one; one current day and the other about the Easter Uprising in Ireland. I enjoyed the historical aspect of the book but the book does need a lot of editing.
June 7, 2016
This book took forever to really get off the ground. I was almost ready to give up on this book, but it did redeem itself some though. It just felt really disconnected at time.
May 27, 2023
Shadow of a Century
I think I need to get a stamp making kit. It would be so much easier to rubber stamp these reviews than to type in the same things over & over! But, yet again, another win from Jean Grainger! This is one of her stand-alone novels, & it begins in Ireland in 1913 when Mary is cast out by the orphanage she had survived for 18 years. She is highly skilled in household duties, has perfect manners for a life of servitude, & bursting with what the nuns taught her...that she was worth nothing but doing the dirty work for the wealthy. As the child of a wanton, as the nuns ASSUMED, she must stay away from men so she didn't end up like her mother! "The bad was in her blood"!. But she was an innocent to everything else in the world! Somehow, she manages to get to Dublin hoping to find a service job in a decent house. What she found was a wonderful house to work in! Well, except for the Master, but thankfully he was rarely there. Besides, his misogyny was greatly offset by the Mistress, Mrs. Grant; the Housekeeper, Mrs. Kearns; & the maid two doors down, Eileen! They became the family she'd never had! Within 3 years all four women were hip deep into the political unrest when Ireland once again attempted to gain its independence from Britain. The Master found out about his wife's "disloyalty" & nearly killed her. More than once! Mary got on his bad side by defending her good, kind, Mistress! From that point on, the story goes deeper into the cry for independence. Mary falls in love with Rory, a man from the cause, & Eileen's brother; her Mistress has her do more for the Cause, in her place since the Master is watching, hoping to catch her again. They are all a part of the Easter Rising & then the Civil War. It is truly heartbreaking! PLUS...another part of the story takes place in NYC in 2015. A woman, a very well known political journalist, with Irish roots BTW, is exposed as the lover of a married politician. She should've seen that coming, but she believes he still loves her & everything will go back to normal soon. Her childhood was almost the exact opposite of Mary's yet somehow she's almost as innocent! Naturally she loses her job, goes to her former boss who gives her a job, reporting on a group of robberies in a nice neighborhood with the elderly as the targets. Her first stop was to a 97 y/o woman who had a house full of memorabilia from that time in Irish history. They bond through sheer traumatic desperation & become fast friends! Meanwhile even they are pulled into the past troubles of Irish history! Read to see how the stories from two centuries intertwine. I hope I haven't given too much spoiler information, because I hate that! So, now I get to the rubber stamp usage. I think I've said the same things about all her books, but I can't gelp it! Ms. Grainger HAS given us another spectacular read! The characters ARE written in a way that they are YOUR friends, except Mr. Grant & his friends. They are YOUR enemies, too! The description of the scenery IS such that you can close your eyes & SEE it, maybe even smell it! YOU feel the cold rain! YOU feel the beatings! Their fears & joys, their heartbreak & victories, ARE felt by YOU! YOU feel the hate & the love! Ms. Grainger makes it all real for her readers. I've never stepped foot on Irish soil, but thanks to her, I feel as if it were my second home! One more thing, I not only enjoyed the book Immensely, but learned much from it as well! I probably would have finished in 1/3 of the time if I hadn't Googled every other sentence!
I think I need to get a stamp making kit. It would be so much easier to rubber stamp these reviews than to type in the same things over & over! But, yet again, another win from Jean Grainger! This is one of her stand-alone novels, & it begins in Ireland in 1913 when Mary is cast out by the orphanage she had survived for 18 years. She is highly skilled in household duties, has perfect manners for a life of servitude, & bursting with what the nuns taught her...that she was worth nothing but doing the dirty work for the wealthy. As the child of a wanton, as the nuns ASSUMED, she must stay away from men so she didn't end up like her mother! "The bad was in her blood"!. But she was an innocent to everything else in the world! Somehow, she manages to get to Dublin hoping to find a service job in a decent house. What she found was a wonderful house to work in! Well, except for the Master, but thankfully he was rarely there. Besides, his misogyny was greatly offset by the Mistress, Mrs. Grant; the Housekeeper, Mrs. Kearns; & the maid two doors down, Eileen! They became the family she'd never had! Within 3 years all four women were hip deep into the political unrest when Ireland once again attempted to gain its independence from Britain. The Master found out about his wife's "disloyalty" & nearly killed her. More than once! Mary got on his bad side by defending her good, kind, Mistress! From that point on, the story goes deeper into the cry for independence. Mary falls in love with Rory, a man from the cause, & Eileen's brother; her Mistress has her do more for the Cause, in her place since the Master is watching, hoping to catch her again. They are all a part of the Easter Rising & then the Civil War. It is truly heartbreaking! PLUS...another part of the story takes place in NYC in 2015. A woman, a very well known political journalist, with Irish roots BTW, is exposed as the lover of a married politician. She should've seen that coming, but she believes he still loves her & everything will go back to normal soon. Her childhood was almost the exact opposite of Mary's yet somehow she's almost as innocent! Naturally she loses her job, goes to her former boss who gives her a job, reporting on a group of robberies in a nice neighborhood with the elderly as the targets. Her first stop was to a 97 y/o woman who had a house full of memorabilia from that time in Irish history. They bond through sheer traumatic desperation & become fast friends! Meanwhile even they are pulled into the past troubles of Irish history! Read to see how the stories from two centuries intertwine. I hope I haven't given too much spoiler information, because I hate that! So, now I get to the rubber stamp usage. I think I've said the same things about all her books, but I can't gelp it! Ms. Grainger HAS given us another spectacular read! The characters ARE written in a way that they are YOUR friends, except Mr. Grant & his friends. They are YOUR enemies, too! The description of the scenery IS such that you can close your eyes & SEE it, maybe even smell it! YOU feel the cold rain! YOU feel the beatings! Their fears & joys, their heartbreak & victories, ARE felt by YOU! YOU feel the hate & the love! Ms. Grainger makes it all real for her readers. I've never stepped foot on Irish soil, but thanks to her, I feel as if it were my second home! One more thing, I not only enjoyed the book Immensely, but learned much from it as well! I probably would have finished in 1/3 of the time if I hadn't Googled every other sentence!
August 8, 2019
Brief synopsis from the book cover:
A journalist in modern New York stumbles across a story from a century earlier when the streets of Dublin were ablaze as men and women fought valiantly for liberation from the British Empire. This is the story of three women.
Mary Doyle was reared by nuns and knows nothing of her parents, except that they were a source of shame. Arriving to Dublin in 1913 at just eighteen years old, she is resigned to facing a lifetime of domestic service. Instead, however, her eyes are opened to the political and social turmoil of a fledgling nation struggling for independence. Suddenly, all that was once inevitable is no longer a certainty as she is embroiled in the very heart of the Easter Rising.
Scarlett O’Hara has overcome many hurdles to get where she is today, not least her name. A successful political analyst, on a reputable New York broadsheet, her seemingly perfect existence goes up in a blaze of media headlines when she makes one catastrophic error of judgment. As she tries to rebuild her life from the wreckage, she has no option but to start at the very beginning again.
Eileen Chiarello is ninety-three years old and she has a story that will draw her back to Ireland, the land her parents fought for and loved so passionately. A chance meeting with Scarlett gives her the opportunity to fulfill a promise she feared she never could.
Shadow of a Century is the story of three women, whose stories are inextricably linked over the span of a century.
My rating:
Story: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommended for readers of:
General fiction
Historical fiction
Women’s fiction
Review:
The Story is told over a dual time line, one set in the present and one in the past. The historical story line is set in Ireland during the Uprising and the Irish war of Independence. The real strong part of the book is this time line set in the past. It is interesting and the characters are vibrant, depicted in great detail which makes them likable and realistic. The present time line started off a bit flaky and the main character is portrayed as a bit of a stereotype. Initially she felt hard to relate to but as the story progressed her character grew and towards the end the author managed to pull it together as this part of the story felt easier to relate to as well. Overall this is an interesting book set in a turbulent time in Irish history.
A journalist in modern New York stumbles across a story from a century earlier when the streets of Dublin were ablaze as men and women fought valiantly for liberation from the British Empire. This is the story of three women.
Mary Doyle was reared by nuns and knows nothing of her parents, except that they were a source of shame. Arriving to Dublin in 1913 at just eighteen years old, she is resigned to facing a lifetime of domestic service. Instead, however, her eyes are opened to the political and social turmoil of a fledgling nation struggling for independence. Suddenly, all that was once inevitable is no longer a certainty as she is embroiled in the very heart of the Easter Rising.
Scarlett O’Hara has overcome many hurdles to get where she is today, not least her name. A successful political analyst, on a reputable New York broadsheet, her seemingly perfect existence goes up in a blaze of media headlines when she makes one catastrophic error of judgment. As she tries to rebuild her life from the wreckage, she has no option but to start at the very beginning again.
Eileen Chiarello is ninety-three years old and she has a story that will draw her back to Ireland, the land her parents fought for and loved so passionately. A chance meeting with Scarlett gives her the opportunity to fulfill a promise she feared she never could.
Shadow of a Century is the story of three women, whose stories are inextricably linked over the span of a century.
My rating:
Story: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommended for readers of:
General fiction
Historical fiction
Women’s fiction
Review:
The Story is told over a dual time line, one set in the present and one in the past. The historical story line is set in Ireland during the Uprising and the Irish war of Independence. The real strong part of the book is this time line set in the past. It is interesting and the characters are vibrant, depicted in great detail which makes them likable and realistic. The present time line started off a bit flaky and the main character is portrayed as a bit of a stereotype. Initially she felt hard to relate to but as the story progressed her character grew and towards the end the author managed to pull it together as this part of the story felt easier to relate to as well. Overall this is an interesting book set in a turbulent time in Irish history.
August 29, 2017
The premise of this novel intrigued me. The story of Ireland's struggle for independence from British rule told by Volunteers who lived through the Rising and their descendants re-living the history 100 years later became the lesson I wish my Irish grandmother and I would have shared during her lifetime.
Scarlett O'Hara resents the name her mother gave her and the dismal childhood with an alcoholic father that Lorena O'Hara, by enduring the beatings and abuse, refused to save herself and her daughter from. She responds as an adult in classic overachieving behavior. The small town journalist climbs to big city reporter prominence only to lose it all in a blaze of bad PR over an affair with a married politician who covers his indiscretion by blaming her for seducing him away from the devoted family he values. She accepts the only job offered, a freelance assignment from her former boss, and meets Eileen, an elderly woman living alone, devastated by the break-in that violated her home and desperate to find a flag wrapped in linen brought to America by her mother who was forced by revolutionary violence to leave her husband and Irish homeland. The flag leads Scarlett, Lorena and Eileen on a journey back to Dublin to discover the past, resolve the present, and cherish their divergent paths to future peace and potential happiness.
Chapters woven between the contemporary story trace the events leading up to and after the Easter Uprising in April 1916. Mary Doyle leaves the only home she's ever known, an orphanage run by nuns, and goes to live and work in service for a wealthy family in Dublin. Her involvement with the freedom-seekers begins with the mistress of the house, Angeline Grant, whose fierce political stance opposes the opinions and threatens the pride and livelihood of her pro-British husband. Mary's friendship with Eileen O'Dwyer, maid to another nearby household and sister to Rory O'Dwyer who is destined to become IRA leader Michael Collins' right hand man, puts Mary in the epicenter of danger and a lifelong passionate love for Rory and a free Ireland.
The rather abrupt ending rubbed a bit of the shine from an otherwise polished novel. But the characters and their story remain with me. That, in my humble opinion, is a good read I highly recommend.
Scarlett O'Hara resents the name her mother gave her and the dismal childhood with an alcoholic father that Lorena O'Hara, by enduring the beatings and abuse, refused to save herself and her daughter from. She responds as an adult in classic overachieving behavior. The small town journalist climbs to big city reporter prominence only to lose it all in a blaze of bad PR over an affair with a married politician who covers his indiscretion by blaming her for seducing him away from the devoted family he values. She accepts the only job offered, a freelance assignment from her former boss, and meets Eileen, an elderly woman living alone, devastated by the break-in that violated her home and desperate to find a flag wrapped in linen brought to America by her mother who was forced by revolutionary violence to leave her husband and Irish homeland. The flag leads Scarlett, Lorena and Eileen on a journey back to Dublin to discover the past, resolve the present, and cherish their divergent paths to future peace and potential happiness.
Chapters woven between the contemporary story trace the events leading up to and after the Easter Uprising in April 1916. Mary Doyle leaves the only home she's ever known, an orphanage run by nuns, and goes to live and work in service for a wealthy family in Dublin. Her involvement with the freedom-seekers begins with the mistress of the house, Angeline Grant, whose fierce political stance opposes the opinions and threatens the pride and livelihood of her pro-British husband. Mary's friendship with Eileen O'Dwyer, maid to another nearby household and sister to Rory O'Dwyer who is destined to become IRA leader Michael Collins' right hand man, puts Mary in the epicenter of danger and a lifelong passionate love for Rory and a free Ireland.
The rather abrupt ending rubbed a bit of the shine from an otherwise polished novel. But the characters and their story remain with me. That, in my humble opinion, is a good read I highly recommend.
August 5, 2018
What Once Was True - A well written, well thought out novel with interesting people, events and places. The historical parts are well done and personal as told by the participants of those events. The storyline blends history with the growth of all the characters. Ranging in ages and social status, the effects of the Troubles and World War II are clearly seen. If you love Binchy and Pilcher, and authors like Pearl S. Buck, this heartwarming and heart breaking world that Ms.Grainger crafted will sweep you away with her vivid descriptions and characters. 5*
Shadow of a Century #1 - A well written, sad but uplifting story set in both Ireland and New York. The characters are well developed and interesting. The storylines are well thought out and hold your attention, especially the last three-quarters of the book. If you enjoyed Maeve Binchy's Coming Home, you'll enjoy both books by Jean: Shadow of a Century and Letters of Freedom. I disagreed with the main character's comments on a gun-crazed USA and the Democrats fixing all problems if in power. US politics aside, the story is worth reading.
The Conor O'Shea Boxed Set gives a heartwarming, funny and entertaining experience by reading these three well written books. The characters are realistic, fun, sad, easy and troublesome. The emotions run the gamut and there are surprises along the routes. The well told stories are full of vivid descriptions that make the reader think they're part of the tours themselves. These books are a perfect escape from the woes of modern life, allowing fun and intrigue to take its place. There's a free download for Letters of Freedom; the start of the Carmen Sheehan Series - a must read. 5*
Letters of Freedom #1 - Heartwarming. A well written, sad but uplifting story about two women and their losses. The short story is mesmerizing and can't be put down and ends too soon. Although the two don't meet, they end up sharing the same family. The abandoned child finds she had someone all along and now she's part of a real family and treasured. I contacted the author to review her books after reading Shadow. 5*
Shadow of a Century #1 - A well written, sad but uplifting story set in both Ireland and New York. The characters are well developed and interesting. The storylines are well thought out and hold your attention, especially the last three-quarters of the book. If you enjoyed Maeve Binchy's Coming Home, you'll enjoy both books by Jean: Shadow of a Century and Letters of Freedom. I disagreed with the main character's comments on a gun-crazed USA and the Democrats fixing all problems if in power. US politics aside, the story is worth reading.
The Conor O'Shea Boxed Set gives a heartwarming, funny and entertaining experience by reading these three well written books. The characters are realistic, fun, sad, easy and troublesome. The emotions run the gamut and there are surprises along the routes. The well told stories are full of vivid descriptions that make the reader think they're part of the tours themselves. These books are a perfect escape from the woes of modern life, allowing fun and intrigue to take its place. There's a free download for Letters of Freedom; the start of the Carmen Sheehan Series - a must read. 5*
Letters of Freedom #1 - Heartwarming. A well written, sad but uplifting story about two women and their losses. The short story is mesmerizing and can't be put down and ends too soon. Although the two don't meet, they end up sharing the same family. The abandoned child finds she had someone all along and now she's part of a real family and treasured. I contacted the author to review her books after reading Shadow. 5*
December 28, 2021
I love this author's books. She is able to transport me to where the stories take place in Europe. She primarily has her stories and characters set in Ireland. After engrossing myself in so many of her books, I have easily heard the lilting brogue Irish accent in the dialogue in my head as I read. Coming across the fascinating variety of outlandish slang that the characters use is new to me and fun to read.
With that said, this book plot is split between two time periods early 1900s in Ireland and early 2000s in America. I feel that Ms Grainger fell flat and failed miserably when it came to writing the American characters. The American part of the story took place in New York City. NYC! The residents have their own dialect and demeanor. It was never addressed and I had a hard time beliving they were living there. The protagonist, Scarlett, is born and American in NYC though had an Irish father until he died at the age of fifteen. She also had what was described as a 'Southern Belle' mother. The mother, Lorena, in no way, shape or form adheres to that stereotype. I don't remember if a particular southern state in America is mentioned. The mother does not utilize any phrases or particular behaviors that is typically known to be said or perceived from a 'Southern Belle' or a person deeply rooted from the South.(I live in the US southern state of TN). So it would seem that Scarlett and her mother, Lorena, would speak as typical Americans, but they interject European and Irish colloquialismsin in their conversations with everyone. I would read and stop myself to think 'Huh, Americans don't say that'. Especially not when they have no European influence. Towards the end of the story, Scarlett or Lorena started using the lazy American slang of not using the 'g' at the end of 'ing' words, such a " 'somethin' ", "doin' ", really got on my nerves.
Other than that, I enjoyed the book.
With that said, this book plot is split between two time periods early 1900s in Ireland and early 2000s in America. I feel that Ms Grainger fell flat and failed miserably when it came to writing the American characters. The American part of the story took place in New York City. NYC! The residents have their own dialect and demeanor. It was never addressed and I had a hard time beliving they were living there. The protagonist, Scarlett, is born and American in NYC though had an Irish father until he died at the age of fifteen. She also had what was described as a 'Southern Belle' mother. The mother, Lorena, in no way, shape or form adheres to that stereotype. I don't remember if a particular southern state in America is mentioned. The mother does not utilize any phrases or particular behaviors that is typically known to be said or perceived from a 'Southern Belle' or a person deeply rooted from the South.(I live in the US southern state of TN). So it would seem that Scarlett and her mother, Lorena, would speak as typical Americans, but they interject European and Irish colloquialismsin in their conversations with everyone. I would read and stop myself to think 'Huh, Americans don't say that'. Especially not when they have no European influence. Towards the end of the story, Scarlett or Lorena started using the lazy American slang of not using the 'g' at the end of 'ing' words, such a " 'somethin' ", "doin' ", really got on my nerves.
Other than that, I enjoyed the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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