Tag: Irish setting

Maggie O’Farrell’s—Land

Leaving the Irish workhouse to labour for the redcoats, over the years, Tomas gradually learns the skill of map making. After marriage, his son, Liam accompanies him on these working trips for the English, leaving his wife and two daughters in Dublin. When he stumbles upon a copse, Tomas does not return for several days, abandoning Liam who grows frightened. When Tomas, does appear, he is no longer stern, but jibbers on hardly making sense and Liam fears his old father won’t return. Tomas no longer wishes to help the English map Ireland and Liam is worried for the rest of the family who need the money. But what lays install for Tomas, is far worse and sets him at odds with Liam for the remainder of his life.

Peter Pagnamenta and Momoko Williams’—Falling Blossom *****

With Japan’s success at invading China and Korea, and Britain afraid a rising superpower might take over their jewel, India, the British government makes a pact with Japan. In the early 1900s a group of British soldiers are then sent to Japan to learn Japanese and war tactics. In Tokyo, Arthur meets Masa, a Japanese woman who has been rejected by her husband and sent back to her family. The pair fall in love and even though Arthur is transferred to other destinations, their connection doesn’t end until forty years later with the outbreak of the second world war.

This memoir is based on research and the hundreds of letters from Arthur discovered in Masa’s trunk after her death. These letters reveal an in-depth insight into their lives and the dramatic changes that took place in both countries—a book I couldn’t put down.

Emma Donoghue’s — The wonder *****

Lib, an English nurse, arrives in an Irish village in the 1850s to keep watch over Anna so as to confirm that she doesn’t eat. The child’s fast is driving the faithful on pilgrimages to her house and Lib is suspicious.

This is not only a book about the politics of religion, but blind faith and Lib is determined to get to the bottom of why Anna fasts.

How did this author keep me engrossed in her tale when most of the story is set in Anna O’Donnell’s bedroom? It’s no wonder, this book is beautifully written as well as an intriguing tale.