Sisters of Belfast
by Melanie Maure
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In the spirit of Heather Morris, Kate Quinn, and Pam Jenoff, an enthralling and deeply moving story that begins during World War II, about orphaned twin sisters in Ireland whose lives diverge for decades, until fate—and faith—reunite them in the twilight of their lives.Orphaned during the Second World War, Aelish and Isabel McGuire—known as the twins of Belfast—are given over to the austere care of the Sisters of Bethlehem. Though they are each all the other has, the girls are show more propelled in opposite directions as they grow up. Rebellious Isabel turns her back on the church and Ireland, traveling to Newfoundland where she pursues a perilous yet independent life. Devout Aelish chooses to remain in Northern Ireland and takes the veil, burying painful truths beneath years of silence. For decades the two are separated, each unaware of the other's life. But after years of isolation Aelish is unexpectedly summoned to Newfoundland, where she and her estranged sister begin to bridge the chasm between them.
Reunion brings to light the painful secrets and seismic deceptions that have kept these sisters apart, leaving the McGuire twins to begin reconstructing their understanding about themselves as women and as family–what they know of love, hope, and above all, forgiveness.
A story of faith—in religion, in the world, and in one another—Sisters of Belfast is a heartbreaking, tragic, and deeply moving novel about survival and the enduring power of sisterhood.
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This novel was, in turns, engaging and hard to read. Opening during a World War II air raid that orphans twin sisters Aelish and Isabel, this book covers the subsequent years as the lives of these sisters diverge and then come back together. Taken in by the nuns of a covent, Aelish finds peace in the faith and sisterhood, but Isabel discovers something very different - shame and anger. After being widowed young, Isabel returns to Belfast with her young children (and another on the way) and finds a past she can't help but dig up and force Aelish to reckon with. Overall, a good read highlighting a sad part of Irish history.
Going to be a January and a 2024 favorite!!
A FABULOUS, WONDERFUL READ!!
A bombing that killed their parents in 1941 in Dublin put twins Isabel and Aelish in an orphanage run by nuns.
Isabel was rebellious and Aelish was compliant.
Isabel escapes, but Aelish remains and becomes a nun.
In 1955, Isabel contacts her sister, and Aelish makes the trip to Newfoundland where her sister is suffering from tuberulosis and just had twins. Isabel asks for Aelish's help in caring or her and her twins.
Of course Aelish makes her way across the ocean to see her sister after all these years.
We follow Isabel and Aelish during the war and after the war learning of their lives in alternating chapters.
SISTERS OF BELFAST will pull you in from the very first show more page.
The writing is detailed and personable, the characters are ones that will have you feeling their every emotion, and the story line will capture your interest and your heart
SISTERS OF BELFAST is a heartbreaking, heartfelt, beautiful book.
You will LOVE the characters and miss them when you turn the last page.
Historical fiction fans, and those who enjoy a moving read won’t want to miss this book. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own. show less
A FABULOUS, WONDERFUL READ!!
A bombing that killed their parents in 1941 in Dublin put twins Isabel and Aelish in an orphanage run by nuns.
Isabel was rebellious and Aelish was compliant.
Isabel escapes, but Aelish remains and becomes a nun.
In 1955, Isabel contacts her sister, and Aelish makes the trip to Newfoundland where her sister is suffering from tuberulosis and just had twins. Isabel asks for Aelish's help in caring or her and her twins.
Of course Aelish makes her way across the ocean to see her sister after all these years.
We follow Isabel and Aelish during the war and after the war learning of their lives in alternating chapters.
SISTERS OF BELFAST will pull you in from the very first show more page.
The writing is detailed and personable, the characters are ones that will have you feeling their every emotion, and the story line will capture your interest and your heart
SISTERS OF BELFAST is a heartbreaking, heartfelt, beautiful book.
You will LOVE the characters and miss them when you turn the last page.
Historical fiction fans, and those who enjoy a moving read won’t want to miss this book. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own. show less
This book starts out during WWII with the evil of Europe bombing and killing twin girls parents, thus they end up in a Catholic orphanage. Should have a good life, right?
Although, this is a fictional read, it is based on fact and makes me cringe, the covered up atrocities. We have Aelish and Isabel McGuire growing up here under such harsh conditions, and we follow their lives separately, one escapes, and the other ends up taking vows.
We are there as they reunite, and follow them as adults and secrets start to fall. Be sure to read the author's notes, so so sad.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harper Paperback, and was not required to give a positive review.
Although, this is a fictional read, it is based on fact and makes me cringe, the covered up atrocities. We have Aelish and Isabel McGuire growing up here under such harsh conditions, and we follow their lives separately, one escapes, and the other ends up taking vows.
We are there as they reunite, and follow them as adults and secrets start to fall. Be sure to read the author's notes, so so sad.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harper Paperback, and was not required to give a positive review.
Well written story, but please remember that the historian she uses for reference is problematic.
Beautifully told and written
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- Canonical title
- Sisters of Belfast
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- Reviews
- 5
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