The Matchmaker of Kenmare: A Novel of Ireland

Set during World War 11 “The Matchmaker of Kenmare” is a lush novel rich in myth, sometime hilarious and at times heartbreaking, a stirring story of loss, friendship, romance and sacrifice. The protagonist Ben MacCarthy, an Irish folklore aficionado, narrates a very touching segment in his life as he wanders the country in search of his missing wife Venetia Kelly (we first met her in “Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show”).

The story has a very slow start and opens with Ben meeting Kate Begley, known as the matchmaker of Kenmare. The two naively pride themselves of being neural during the start of the devastating war but as their relationship developed and the war dragged on they become more and more involved in aiding the Americans on the European front. Both Kate and Ben had an agenda: Kate was looking for her husband who went missing in action and Ben his wife who mysteriously disappeared. The story picks up and becomes far more interesting and evolves into a memorable war story as Kate and Ben are pinned down in Europe’s battlefields…..they find themselves way over their heads and must survive at all cost…

The story is narrated in the first person by a senior Ben to his children in a rambling style that is quite entertaining at times. He relives and shares with them the many tales he collected in his travels during his younger and more challenging years. The prose successfully creates a vivid image of the time and especially the complexities of the Irish culture with great depth and skill. The novel started off in a tedious manner but I persisted and I am glad I did. The strong writing, the warm characters and the unexpected turn of events gradually hyped my interest to the end.

Looking back, I can honestly say I enjoyed this haunting tale. ( )

In a story that weaves Irish myth into wartime travels, Miss Kate Begley, the Matchmaker of Kenmare helps Ben McCarthy, a story collector of the Irish Folklore commission, cope with the grief of the sudden disappearance of his wife Venetia Kelly. When an American military intelligence officer arrives in Kenmare, Kate and Ben are drawn into the war conflict when they use the neutrality of the Irish heritage to travel to London and operate as spies, where they discover the perils of both love and war.

Ben MacCarthy, we first met in Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show.
I thought I would have another go as I liked Venetia's story.
I think perhaps I should have lt it be. Although the characters
of Ben and Kate were interesting, and Ben likable if weak, I still
felt somewhat mired in the story.

To me, three stars is a good solid read. This book missed being a
four star read simply due to its lag. I understand that Delaney
is a storyteller, and that is different from simply being a writer.
I understand that a storyteller takes longer to weave the words that
finally, in the end, become a whole fabric and that often this is good.

From Kenmare, to Kenmare. From Ireland, to France, and Germany to
the United states and back around again we went. There were stories
of love, death, lies and atrocity. Somewhere in there I believe there
was even a bit of humor, but bless me if I can remember.

I am finished with Ben now. I don't care what happens to him.
I should admire Kate, but somehow, she leaves me cold. And may I
finish by saying that I am a fan of giraffes but really? Did
we need to meet one here? ( )

From my book review blog Rundpinne..."The Matchmaker of Kenmare by Frank Delaney is an exquisite story of the life of Ben MacCarthy, an aficionado of Irish folklore, as seen through his eyes as narrator. "...My fill review may be read here: http://www.rundpinne.com/2011/03/book-review-the-matchmaker-of-kenmare-by-frank-... ( )