Regina McBride

The start of the book was pretty tedious for me, partly because I can never believe that anyone remembers as much detail about their early childhood as McBride puts in, so it doesn't feel real. Also because it isn't pleasant to read about the guilt tripping, social rules, and such that pervade Irish Catholic society (or is it all Catholic societies?) Such an impoverished childhood--in friendship, in love, if not in money. The switch in her abilities, after her sister's death, is supposed to show more be significant of how tied she was to her, but just doesn't seem real that she could gain so much prowess as to win a prized position at school. Perhaps I'm not familiar enough in my own life with the results of such focused determination.
McBride belabors the importance of the symbolism water & air of her title. I don't interpret my life in terms of the nature of air & water, & I don't agree with her interpretation. It could be interesting, but it is so wrought with meaning. Here's an example: "Air blew things in and away and water exiled its creatures onto dry land and rushed away from them. It seemed the nature of water and air, to be random, heartless." (p.113)
There was 1 quote that I connect with: "'How little hold we have on things, Clodagh,' he said. 'How easily the world leaves us with nothing.'" Rather than see this as depressing or forlorn, as the character seems to, I see this as basic & a guide to travel thru life lightly, holding on to nothing for long.
2011 review show less

As an Irish girl I will admit to being somewhat biased coming into this book. With scenery like the brilliant Irish landscapes, laid out for readers to picture while experiencing the journey that was The Fire Opal, what can you expect? I was already half in love with the story before finishing the first chapter.

McBride gives her readers magic, mythology/folklore and realism all wrapped up neatly in her debut YA novel. She has made the cross from writing adult fiction to YA fantasy quite show more seamlessly in my opinion.

Our main character, Maeve O'Tullagh was fierce and brace and built for an adventure. With a will of her own she becomes quite the opponent for the mean spirited (and hateful in my opinion) Tom Cavan. She even proves that she is a worthy adversary for an ancient and foreboding Goddess of days old and long forgotten. Not too shabby for a 19 year old girl.

This is a story that had me wondering about so many things throughout; will Maeve "save the day" so to speak? Will she be able to resque her mom and sister in time? Will evil really conquer good? The only aspect I was truly disappointed with was the ending. It might just be me but I found it lacking. I would have appreciated more information. At the same time, although it didn't feel like a traditional cliffhanger, maybe McBride is setting up her readers for future works involving these characters? I can only hope and wait and see. show less

In short, Regina McBride makes me ecstatic. Her writing is amazing; so tight, so clean, so lyrical. The Nature of Water and Air was the first book of hers that I read, and remains my favorite. McBride blends elements of Irish culture, sensuality, family relationships, and a bit of myth to craft a story that is dangerously close to perfect. The twist towards the end will shatter you. A truly wonderful read.

3.5 We first meet the author when she is in a psychiatric ward, grief stricken, unable to stop crying, after the death of both her parents within five months of each other. It is the manner of their death that also preys on mind, her religious beliefs that intrude and the ghosts of those now gone that cause her fright. are they real and if so what do they want?

Beautifully written, short pages or paragraphs, almost prose style, haunting and effective. her present life as she tries to move show more forward, her two younger sisters and the responsibility she feels towards them but is not able to live up to. Alternating between present and past, in the past we share in her memories good and bad. Her disintegrating home life, her very unlikable nanna and we get glimpses of how things ended up the way they did.

poignant, moving but although I was unable to look away , admired the gorgeous writing, I never really felt this in my heart. Glimpses were just not enough. Still a very interesting read, I loved her descriptions of the places she visited in Ireland, and loved that she never stopped trying, just wish I had felt more of a connection.

ARC from Netgalley. show less