Gracelin O'Malley

I read Gracelin O'Malley, the first book in a trilogy focused on Ireland during the potato famine and civil war for the Kitastrophe challenge for March. We meet the title character, a young woman in a family of farmers, just as she is married to the local English land owner. The youngest son of an English baron, he has been exiled to the Irish estate. Eventually, his violence and hatred of the Irish spill into his marriage even as the potato famine takes hold. Historical fiction at its best as author Ann Moore deftly weaves the history of this time period into the story. Grace is a strong, forthright character and I am looking forward to reading the next two books.

This novel had a slow start, but I really liked the story by the end. It opens as a family story, that of the O'Malleys, a close-knit Irish family living as tenant farmers in the 1840s. Gracelin, the beautiful daughter, is chosen by their landlord Squire Donnelly as his newest bride. But Squire Donnelly reveals himself to be a cruel man, cutting Gracelin off from her family, beating her, and holding the couple's daughter hostage for Gracelin's behavior. And then the famine starts, putting pressure on every level of Irish society. As the situation grows worse, the characters have to make choices about how they will survive and what they can do to resist. While I've read about the famine before, I've not encountered a novel which featured show more resistance - Irish groups forming, taking up arms, and fighting back against those cruel enough to demand rent during a widespread famine. A fascinating read and one that took a while to get into, but was well worth the read. show less

The novel, the first in a trilogy, follows young Gracelin O'Malley during the time of The Great Famine, a period (1845-1849) of mass starvation and disease in Ireland. During this period of hopelessness, mass emigration to America began, and uprisings against British rule became increasingly brutal for both sides. One of the leaders of the revolutionary movement was Gracelin's brother, though fragile physically, a brilliant strategist. To save Gracelin from starvation her father accepts an offer of marriage for her to an older wealthy man whose stability is questionable. Realistic characters combined with careful historical research gives the novel an emotional impact and social understanding unlike any other novel I've read about show more Ireland during this horrific period. show less

I don't know how to describe this book. It was heartbreakingly sad, but also completely riveting, I couldn't put it down. Gracelin O'Malley is a woman who is a survivor. After losing her mother when she was just a child, Gracelin becomes the caretaker of the O'Malley's modest home. When she's old enough to marry, she's married to a wealthy landowner. Reluctant at first, she knows this marriage will help her family in a way that nothing else could. But this isn't a fairy tale. It's a nightmare. Her husband is a cruel man and Grace suffers abuse under his hand. However, Grace is determined to help her family at any cost.

Grecelin O'Malley takes place in the 1800's in Ireland before, during, and after The Great Potato Famine. Moore doesn't show more gloss over the details of the devastating effect this had on the country. Your heart will break for those who suffer. Your anger will rise at the injustices laid at the feet of this helpless nation. But you will also be encouraged by their will to survive. The courage that the people faced to overthrow tyranny. And the passion for their native land.

Garcelin O'Malley is the first book in the trilogy. I was at the edge of my seat for most of the novel. I was completely captivated by the beauty and tragedy of this story. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction novels. I am certainly going to continue with this series. How could I not? Gracelin's story is not over and I won't be able to rest until I know how it ends. The next book in this series is Leaving Ireland, and I can't wait to read it!

Read more at http://www.toreadornottoread.net/2014/10/review-gracelin-omalley-by-ann-moore.ht... show less

I enjoyed this book and felt the author's thorough research resulted in a novel with fully-developed characters (that is, I felt that I knew a lot about each character) in a vividly-described landscape. I do agree with some other reviewers who felt the main character was somewhat one-dimensional and overly saintly, and for that reason, I don't feel compelled to read the 2 following books in the trilogy.

Story of an interesting time in Ireland's history

Compelling heroine, fast-paced story of 1840s Ireland. Could have used a good edit to cut repetition, overly long scenes, and catch typos. Interesting but probably not interesting enough to read the rest of the series

Gracelin O’Malley experienced tragedy at a young age when her older brother Sean was crippled in the accident that took her mother’s life. Times were rough for the Irish in 1840, as they worked hard for their English landlords and struggled to pay the quarterly rents on their small farms and avoid eviction. Read the rest of the review on my blog: http://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.com/2015/01/06/gracelin-omalley-ann-moore/