Irish Readers discussion

Comment thread 3 for part 3/3 of Star of the Sea.

I don't know about Forest Gump, but he certainly likes having fun with other literature. As for no redeeming qualities. I think that they both still loved Mary. After all the hardship that they went through, I thing that this alone offers the possibility of redemption.

Definitely one of the best books I've ever read.

I had an idea about Grantley, but only because he was a peripheral character and I was expecting a twist. The part where he made Mary strip to pose did smack me as desperate, but he obviously loved here. Even when he found out, as a youth, he had to keep his stiff upper lip and accept her hatred and anger. The way he accepted his death was important for me, also. He sacrificed himself rather than disgrace his family with his sickness.

And as for Mulvey, did you not have any respect for his stoicism when he was abandoned by the circus? It told me that he had a sense of fair play. What goes around comes around.

Really? What about the fact that Meredith had to accept knowledge of their parentage, and the responsibility of the breakup? I really thought he had redemptive qualities. More so than Pius, that's for sure. But Pius's tenacity and stubbornness were admirable. He never let his misfortune get him down. Even when he reached New York and his anonymity was lost. He still kept on trucking, so to speak.

Mary was just as bad as the two lads. She never loved Pius's brother, the most admirable character in the book, and the only time she seemed to care about anyone was when she allowed Pius on to the landing boat.

I still believe that Meredith allowed his murder for the sake of his family. It was obvious how much he loved his children.

Finished today and OMG! such a contrast to Archangel. Loved the way the book unfolded and relished the many twists and turns. Sorry Declan, have to agree with Vicki. Mulvey and Merridith didn't have a redeeming quality between them at the end. Merridith in particular as Mulvey was always a chancer thinking only of himself. Merridith the epitome of a spoiled little rich kid who got more spoiled as the story went on. Wanted to slap him during Jonathan's birthday dinner on the boat.

I found the underlying story of life during the famine and onboard the famine ships so poignant. Life back then was so bleak - puts our hardships during the current recession into perspective!

BTW, Hadn't pegged Grantly at all! Thought he was a bit of a wimp who didn't have it in him so he wasn't even on my radar.

Vicki wrote: "Its the same here Jackie, Grantly wasnt really a main player for me either. I love it also what a great story. I've been recommending it to everyone, I cant wait to start Ghostlight."

Loved it too. So hard to believe that Joseph O'Connor is Sinead O'Connor's sister! Ghostlight will have to wait for a while - picked up The Graveyard Book at the library today and looking forward to getting stuck in that!

Just finished this Novel and I dont award 5 stars very often to a novel but this is without a doubt 5 star read. Loved the layout of the Novel and the characters are so real, What a talent Joseph O Connor has for story telling, I love when I can imagine every aspect of a character in a Novel then I know the writer has drawn me in fully, there was times in this novel I could actually smell the stench on the boat, I think that is writing at its best. Great Novel and fantastic QBR choice.