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The Irish Flapper
The Irish Flapper, is a novel set in Manhattan during the exciting Roaring Twenties about a young Irish woman’s journey to America to fulfill her contrasting ambitions of wealth and artistic expression. Once in America she awakens to the stark difference between her dreams and the disillusioning reality of an immigrant’s life. It is her new friends, flamboyant cousin and her new found love that make life in the big city an unforgettable adventure. In America, her wildly flamboyant cousin Isabelle, the “IT” actress of the moment and the girlfriend of a notorious dangerous gangster introduces Annie to the enticing, glamorous yet deceptive world of fame and fortune. Annie falls in love with Jack, a successful stockbroker haunted by the ghost of his past which threatens their future. As the great depression takes hold of New York City, it is the knot that ties family and friends together that helps her through great adversity and devastating loss.
382 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2012
227 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 31, 2016
The Irish Flapper is everything I love about coming to America tales/historical fiction! A story with the promise of a new beginning, love, failure, disenchantment, and wide-eyed wonder, this one really hit the spot for me.
I love stories that have artistic flare, and Stack has an appreciation for the more creative aspects of life, which also shows in her writing. The dialect of an Irish family to the lights of New York, The Irish Flapper takes the reader on one woman’s journey of overcoming the odds and making her way in a new world.
I’d compare this book with another I recently read, The Good American; similar in some ways, but from a female prospective with more glam.
For a first time author, I’d say it was pretty good. Characters were relatable, and descriptive language made me really *feel* the setting.
All-in-all, a very good read for anyone who wants to travel back in time and live it up in the 20s.
I love stories that have artistic flare, and Stack has an appreciation for the more creative aspects of life, which also shows in her writing. The dialect of an Irish family to the lights of New York, The Irish Flapper takes the reader on one woman’s journey of overcoming the odds and making her way in a new world.
I’d compare this book with another I recently read, The Good American; similar in some ways, but from a female prospective with more glam.
For a first time author, I’d say it was pretty good. Characters were relatable, and descriptive language made me really *feel* the setting.
All-in-all, a very good read for anyone who wants to travel back in time and live it up in the 20s.
September 26, 2013
This book absolutely reeked of a first-time publishing without an editor. The story line had no flow to it, it wasn't even about and Irish Flapper but an Irish immigrant trying to make it on her own in a new culture by coming to America in pursuit of her artistic dreams, There was no description which really made it hard for me to relate to any of the characters. I didn't feel like the author had taken me to the 'roaring 20's' because there really was nothing in the tale to make you feel like you were in that era. It felt more modern.
In a way I felt like I was reading a more awful rendition of a Danielle Steel book, and I really cannot tolerate reading Danielle Steel. I think this author needs to reflect on the criticism she gets from this attempt before she starts on something new.
In a way I felt like I was reading a more awful rendition of a Danielle Steel book, and I really cannot tolerate reading Danielle Steel. I think this author needs to reflect on the criticism she gets from this attempt before she starts on something new.
April 13, 2020
My opinion
I thought the storyline was so repetitive and unbelievable. I felt like several lines were too modern for the period. At one point, “Ms.” was used. This did not become popular until the 80’s.
I thought the storyline was so repetitive and unbelievable. I felt like several lines were too modern for the period. At one point, “Ms.” was used. This did not become popular until the 80’s.
January 23, 2024
a good read
A really good read. I read it in two sittings. It almost felt like it was a true story,really well written I really connected with Annie and the other characters,Catherine Stack made them real.a really true description of life for an Irish immigrant in those times ,with a few good historical facts thrown in.👍☘️🥰
A really good read. I read it in two sittings. It almost felt like it was a true story,really well written I really connected with Annie and the other characters,Catherine Stack made them real.a really true description of life for an Irish immigrant in those times ,with a few good historical facts thrown in.👍☘️🥰
January 27, 2020
Very enjoyable book about the 20s.
Very well developed characters and an interesting story line. Good depictions of a variety of cultures and the melting pot that was NewYork City.
Very well developed characters and an interesting story line. Good depictions of a variety of cultures and the melting pot that was NewYork City.
September 13, 2024
very engaging
Stack is adept at fleshing out her characters. Her plot is engaging at all times. But it is her reflections on life and its true meaning that I enjoyed the most.
Stack is adept at fleshing out her characters. Her plot is engaging at all times. But it is her reflections on life and its true meaning that I enjoyed the most.
July 19, 2023
Annie's story
Annie is a young Irish woman who sells her fortune in America. She lives through very difficult times, finds love and saves a lot of money but it is all invested in the stock market. Then the CRASH happens. Her true love is killed. She eventually returns to Ireland. This part of the novel is short but telling. The moral.... Enjoy life, appreciate what you have. I really enjoyed the last chapter. It summed up the story making you realize the real meaning of life.
Annie is a young Irish woman who sells her fortune in America. She lives through very difficult times, finds love and saves a lot of money but it is all invested in the stock market. Then the CRASH happens. Her true love is killed. She eventually returns to Ireland. This part of the novel is short but telling. The moral.... Enjoy life, appreciate what you have. I really enjoyed the last chapter. It summed up the story making you realize the real meaning of life.
October 11, 2018
This is the worse written and edited book. Actually I don't think there was any editing at all. I WADED THROUGH TO THE END BUT KEPT THINKING IT MUST HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BY A TEENAGER. Many misspelled words and words used in a wrong way. Several times the word should have been written as BEAU and was printed as BO. Disconnected plot lines. Very amateurish.
May 11, 2019
A good book that both men and women will enjoy.
Here is the life story of the early years of a young girl who was born in Ireland, moved to America and later returned to her native land. She fell in love more than once, but with time found the right man for her.
Here is the life story of the early years of a young girl who was born in Ireland, moved to America and later returned to her native land. She fell in love more than once, but with time found the right man for her.
May 18, 2020
Beautiful and soul touching
This book drew me in and kept me spellbound. It is like seeing an entire world in one book. The highs of lows of life are richly presented, giving the reader an opportunity for self examination. Loved it.
This book drew me in and kept me spellbound. It is like seeing an entire world in one book. The highs of lows of life are richly presented, giving the reader an opportunity for self examination. Loved it.
February 2, 2022
life’s lessons in review
Liked the everyday ups and downs as in true life. Along the way one has to recognize what is most important to them and why. The grass is always greener on the other side until you realize it isn’t!
Liked the everyday ups and downs as in true life. Along the way one has to recognize what is most important to them and why. The grass is always greener on the other side until you realize it isn’t!
May 12, 2022
It hit my heart
This book touched me more than I knew. It made me laugh, cry and reminisced. It held me til the end and I didn't want it to end.
It made me think that love does conquer all and it never dies.
This book touched me more than I knew. It made me laugh, cry and reminisced. It held me til the end and I didn't want it to end.
It made me think that love does conquer all and it never dies.
November 2, 2018
I loved the story, NYC during the Roaring Twenties and Great Depression, interesting, fun characters and enduring message, easy to read and highly entertaining
January 22, 2019
Wonderful, inspiring story set in the greatest era of all time, the Roaring Twenties which I love reading about.
Currently reading
April 12, 2023TheFussyLibrarian
August 7, 2019
Good book
This is a good book, it's not filled with a bunch of curse words, or sex like so many are lately. It doesn't even end the way I thought it was going to.
This is a good book, it's not filled with a bunch of curse words, or sex like so many are lately. It doesn't even end the way I thought it was going to.
November 26, 2020
Wonderful story and characters that came full circle. Great insight into the era of the 1920s and great depression. Loved it!
January 24, 2021
I loved it, an inspiring tale about a young immigrant living in America during the roaring twenties and great depression.
July 27, 2021
Captivating read
Beautifully written novel. I couldn’t put it down. I loved traveling back in time to the 20’s and experiencing the life of an immigrant.
Beautifully written novel. I couldn’t put it down. I loved traveling back in time to the 20’s and experiencing the life of an immigrant.
December 31, 2021
Great read!
Good plot, interesting characters,
A real pleasure to read something out of the "normal plotlines" Learned a new exciting author.
Good plot, interesting characters,
A real pleasure to read something out of the "normal plotlines" Learned a new exciting author.
July 10, 2020
Catherine Stack really did a upstanding job of her research on this story starting in Ireland leading not only one family member to American but two and then a third,a young woman looking for herself,what is her life to be,will she be able to do it and can she do any changing of herself but he true to her beliefs! While all of that is going on,you have a cousin involved with the mob in New York, a aunt who is a nurse, and different friends she has during the jazz era,the flapper she becomes,the bottom of the stock market crash and then the depression! Many of her friends they have their own troubles,loves and growing up to do! Annie learns what her painting means to her,to love and lose ,to basically how to work hard and have nothing to show for it or does she really? You watch her grow through the story,her faith in love,her God,her friends and especially herself! It was a really good historical fiction read I just think it could have been cut a little short seems it went on and on in parts. A self discovery of what life was like back then,and how to sometimes find out its so hard to grow up and be a adult but also make your own dreams come true for yourself!
December 8, 2023
This fascinating novel begins in post WWI Ireland, where restless and artistic Annie, after losing her mother, desires to visit her aunt in NYC. First excited, she experiences the prejudice of being an Irish immigrant working low paid, non-stimulating jobs. Pragmatic in personality, her dynamic cousin in the theater attempts to transform her into a flapper. After doing so, she finally finds a beau that results in much strife. Yet, she never has time to pursue her love of art. Lengthy, this novel has excellent character development, portraying differing personalities amidst the culture of the time. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and heartily recommend it to readers who enjoy a good historical novel of that era.
July 21, 2020
I made it to 38%.
I applaud the author's effort, and taking a chance to create is never easy.
That being said, the story doesn't flow. The characters are lacking a spark, and the editing (or lack there of) is so distracting. Initially I was submitting error reports but it grew to be such a tedious task that I had to stop. I'm supposed to be reading for fun, not proofreading as a career.
I wish the author much luck in the future, but I had to give up.
I applaud the author's effort, and taking a chance to create is never easy.
That being said, the story doesn't flow. The characters are lacking a spark, and the editing (or lack there of) is so distracting. Initially I was submitting error reports but it grew to be such a tedious task that I had to stop. I'm supposed to be reading for fun, not proofreading as a career.
I wish the author much luck in the future, but I had to give up.
May 14, 2018
A coming to America story with a really interesting story line that could've been a 4 with some good copy editing. The main character works hard to make it in the US and goes through a few different major perspective changes about what is success just in time for the stock market to crash. downside to the book was a constant change from first to third person in the middle of a paragraph.
June 4, 2019
A story worth telling
I found this book to be somewhat frustrating to read. I thought the story was fascinating, the characters realistic, the struggles genuine, the resolution satisfying. The only thing this book needed was a talented editor. One more rewrite might have made this good book a great book.
I found this book to be somewhat frustrating to read. I thought the story was fascinating, the characters realistic, the struggles genuine, the resolution satisfying. The only thing this book needed was a talented editor. One more rewrite might have made this good book a great book.
May 22, 2020
Editing disaster
While the story was interesting with fun characters, the awful editing was way too distracting. From mid-spelled words, to missing words and then additional words in sentences for no darn reason - it was ridiculous! There's absolutely no excuse for such a bad editing job.
While the story was interesting with fun characters, the awful editing was way too distracting. From mid-spelled words, to missing words and then additional words in sentences for no darn reason - it was ridiculous! There's absolutely no excuse for such a bad editing job.
September 24, 2022
I found many time period inconsistencies, and a weak story line. Title is misleading. Author drags out angst far too long. Perhaps a quarter of the book is about the Roaring 20's....
That said, I did complete this fantasy, and did appreciate the "happily ever after". The perfect book for "relaxing before bedtime" non-thinking reading,
That said, I did complete this fantasy, and did appreciate the "happily ever after". The perfect book for "relaxing before bedtime" non-thinking reading,
June 7, 2018
Good read
Well written interesting story. Nat king Cole and Ella Fitzgerald do not sing in the flapper times. With that small lack of research it did not really matter that much. I recommend this book
Well written interesting story. Nat king Cole and Ella Fitzgerald do not sing in the flapper times. With that small lack of research it did not really matter that much. I recommend this book
March 22, 2019
The poor editing really took me out of the story. Just stopped me cold. Interesting story but, if there was a "flapper" in this story, it was Isabella, not Annie. Good characters involved in interesting stories.
March 6, 2020
Life and Love
I enjoy settings in the ‘20s across various countries. Annie has to live life and experience heartbreak in the way to fulfilling her dreams. With better editing, I would have rated 5 stars.
I enjoy settings in the ‘20s across various countries. Annie has to live life and experience heartbreak in the way to fulfilling her dreams. With better editing, I would have rated 5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews