A Harper's Journey: Book One – On Horse and Harp

by Glenda Underhill

17th century Ireland… the most dangerous of times for Irish harpers.

Orla Connellan, a crofting woman, has her life changed forever when the brutal Oliver Cromwell and his English army land on the shores of Ireland. Exerting their might, the English endeavour to eradicate the culture of the Emerald Isle and dominate her people.

Widowed, fleeing for her life, Orla takes refuge on the rugged west coast, under the roof of her grandmother, Clodagh; a formidable woman who is blessed or cursed with the second sight. It is Clodagh, having seen Orla in a vision, that recasts Orla's life, charging her with the earnest duty of using the harp as an instrument in a bid to mend and meld a ravaged land.

But… Orla is not young and has never touched a harp before…

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 23, 2022

Reviews

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous book well researched

Loved this book, written by a harper. It delves into the times when harpers were persecuted in Ireland and harps were destroysd. Well written and gripping . Can't wait to see what happens next!

[Kathryn Roney]

Glenda Underhill covers several pertinent topics in her first book, A Harper's Journey - On Horse and Harp, that resonate in today's everyday life.

She discusses through the characters in her book the real struggle of self confidence and performance anxiety experienced by women who have had little opportunity to develop their strengths and to forge their own path.

When we first meet the main character, Orla, she was controlled by the men in her family which was typically the lot of women in the 1600's. However, Orla shows strength in her determination to succeed in playing the harp and to produce the forbidden music to heal, sooth and bring happiness to the Irish population during the persecution by the English.

This is book 1 of A Harper's Journey series. I look forward to reading more of Orla's adventures and how she navigates her way to ensure the music continues.

[Andrew Whiteley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story central to the book is that of Orla, a peasant woman from the North of Ireland, who escapes to the south, after Oliver Cromwell and his soldiers land on Irish shores. In the south, she begins her personal journey learning to play the harp at a time when it was extremely dangerous to play the harp, especially as she is a woman. The book gives us an insight into those difficult days, as well as an understanding of the challenges of mastering an instrument at a later age.
Orla begins to learn to play the harp, and in doing so is also led on a journey of self discovery .

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so well written, interesting and a pleasure to read. It is a page turner and I find myself thinking about Orla and looking forward to what happens next.