Fiction Addict

Genre: Historical, Drama

Publisher: Center Street

Publication Date: February 2010

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Eileen O’Neill is a warrior. She knows about the O’Neill legacy and that she’s part of it. If it wasn’t already in her blood then dealing with the turmoil of life in Ireland during the early 1900’s would have made her one regardless.

That being said, the best times of Eileen O’Neill’s life happened when she lived in the bright yellow house with her mother, father, brother and baby sister. When her comfort and life come crashing down around her in a series of unfortunate events, Eileen decides then and there that she will not stop until her family is living back in the yellow house and happy again. This sets her off on a life course that takes her to places she’d never imagined and across paths that change her life.

Falvey’s writing is at once heart rending and beautiful. Her descriptions clearly place the reader in the story with the O’Neill family. With historical figures to help cement the storyline in fact and discussions of daily life at the time, Falvey keeps the reader grounded in the story. When I was reading, I had a hard time pulling out of the story. I became immersed completely and fully in Eileen’s life and what would happen next.

When I’m reading, I’m usually very quiet. My husband does whatever he’s working on and I sit quietly in my spot reading to myself. With this book, I shouted out loud a couple of times and wanted to shake this character. (I did at one point slam the book shut and take a walk around the room. What else can you do when you’re angry with a completely contrived character that you’re unable to advise or counsel!?)  Like what happens so often in books (and in life) sometimes we can see the mistakes that a character is making and we wish that they wouldn’t! I felt that way about Eileen’s character.

My husband, at one point was startled by my outburst and asked what on Earth I was doing and I told him that I was reading possibly one of the most frustrating romances I’d ever experienced. This book reminded me in some ways of Jane Austen’s writing (and you all know how I love Austen’s work!) when Austen’s characters were pushed one way or another not by their feelings, but by society’s restrictions.  Though not as prim and proper as Austen’s work, Falvey’s writing does include some adult situations. I can say though, that they are well written and experienced as an everyday part of Eileen’s life rather than being glorified or over shadowing the characters and their journeys.

Review copy provided by Center Street.