Rated 5 stars ***** 2001. Gracelin O’Malley #1. New American Library (Penguin Putnam). 398 pp. (Includes “Conversation Guide” and “Questions for Discussion.”)
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. When money became tighter than ever Grace’s father Patrick made a deal with their landlord, Squire Donnelly, who promised to care for the family if Grace was given to him in marriage. He wanted an heir and, despite having had two wives die, was sure Grace would give him a son. Though only 15 years old Grace agreed to the marriage, knowing her family needed his financial promise to hold on to their small farm but unaware of his cruelty.
Unable to pay their rents when blight caused the potato crops to fail in the Great Famine of 1845, the Irish people soon faced starvation and eviction from their land. With her brother and his best friend caught up in the Young Ireland revolutionary group formed to help free their country from British rule, and with a love for Ireland and its people, Grace disobeyed her husband to feed as many people as possible. What follows is a heartrending account of her husband’s behavior as well as Britain’s apathy to the millions of starving Irish men, women and children who roamed the land seeking aid in their time of need. The bravery of young Irish rebels, including Grace, who worked hard to save many in the face of impending disaster is applauded.
Ann Moore’s well-researched novel is sure to reach even the hardest of hearts and turn many towards asking the only question that makes sense over 150 years after this novel took place: “Why won’t Great Britain let Ireland be free?” As shown in her novel, England had no love for the land nor its people, allowing a million Irish men, women and children to starve to death or die from typhus and other diseases while losing another million to immigration.
I believe the Irish people should be the ones to decide the future of their own land, not a conqueror like Great Britain. I feel the same way about Puerto Rico still being owned by the United States, and believe she should also be set free. As Moses said to Pharaoh long ago “let my people go.” The time of colonization and ownership of people and their lands has ended.
Highly recommended for Adult readers.
You Decide: Should I Read it or Not? 