melpomene

I really enjoyed this one. It is a sweeping saga of the Kelly family who survives the potato famine in Ireland and makes a new life in Chicago. It is a bleak story at times but one of survival and human triumph as well. I found all the characters to be realistic and I really cared about them, particularly Honora, Michael, and Maire. The horrors of the potato famine and the absolutely inhumane treatment of the Irish by their English landlords were well told, although the author does tug at the heartstrings a bit too much. The book is also full of Irish legends and stories that add a touch of magic and enchantment to the story. I did find the first part of the story that takes place in Ireland to be more engaging than the second half in Chicago, but it was a good read all the way through.