Deeply affecting, utterly devastating & overwhelmingly sad!
Oh my goodness…..I don’t think a book has ever affected me and my emotions in the way that this one has. It was definitely an excellent read but a tough one that made me feel a little down and depressed, even finding it a little hard to shake that feeling while I was absorbed in this book.
KELEGEEN by EILEEN O’FINLAN is a haunting, shocking, emotional and heart-wrenching tale set in Ireland in 1846 during the potato famine. The amount of pain, sorrow and suffering was extremely tangible and absolutely devastating to read about. Only knowing minimal information about this part of history really affected and impacted me as a reader.
EILEEN O’FINLAN delivers an atmospheric, compelling and important read here that I am so glad that I read. Even though it was a difficult book for me to read the characters and their strength, love and courage definitely shined through and helped me to get through this book.
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Hauntingly beautiful! The sadness and pain that emanates from her eyes on the cover definitely depicts this storyline well.
Title: I can’t say that this title intrigued me or enticed me to read this book but it is a meaningful and fitting representation to the storyline.
Writing/Prose: Poignant, captivating, and straightforward.
Plot: Emotive, eye-opening, interesting, affecting, unforgettable and distressing.
Ending: Satisfying and hopeful.
Overall: Even though it was a difficult book for me to read I am so glad to have had the chance to read this book and learn more about Ireland’s history. Would recommend!
Thank you so much to Eileen O’Finlan for gifting me a copy of this book to read.
Have you read this one? Want to read it? Drop us a comment! We would love to hear from you!
Update: The author of this book, Eileen O’Finlan has some exciting news to share about this book. Please head on over to the link below to see what it is…..but here is a hint…..
THE POPE HAS A COPY OF KELEGEEN!
Penny For Our Thoughts 
I can imagine a story set during the Irish potato famine had to have been tough. Thanks for a heartfelt review.
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It was my absolute pleasure and thank you so much, Jonetta! Knowing little about the Irish potato famine made me thoroughly appreciate learning it through this book.
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Wonderful review of a time when things in Ireland were just awful.
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Thank you so much, Marialyce! I had no idea it was as bad as it was and so glad to have been educated by reading this book.
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This sounds like a terrific, albeit, emotional read. That cover is haunting!
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It really was, Mackey and I agree that cover is hauntingly beautiful.
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Great review- this sounds so emotional and difficult, yet worth the experience.
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Thank you so much, Lisa and yes it was totally worth the reading experience!
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Norma, thank you so much for your wonderful review of my novel. I know it can be a tough read, but the history is accurate. More and more, I’m hearing from readers that they’ve heard of the Irish Potato Famine, but never knew much about it before reading Kelegeen. So many of our Irish ancestors came to North America (and other places), mine included, to escape this devestating time in Irish history, I felt it to be an important time period to represent in historical fiction. Though it is fiction, it could be the story of any of our Irish ancestors who lived in Ireland at that time. Researching and writing this story has given me immense awe and respect for my Irish ancestors. Similar to reading/writing about the Holocaust, it’s a difficult, heartwrenching subject to deal with. Hopefully, the resiliance of the human spirit shines through. I think you captured the emotions of the novel beautifully in your review.
I am currently in the research stage for the sequel, which I promise will be much more upbeat, but still full of adventures.
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It was my absolute pleasure, Eileen and thank you so much for allowing me to read your book!! I learned so much and it is a novel that I will never forget! I think you did an absolute beautiful job at bringing a voice to this devastating time in Irish history!
I am quite excited to read the sequel and happy to hear it will be a little bit more upbeat. LOL
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Beautiful review ! This sounds very emotional and memorable. Glad you enjoyed!! 💜
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Thank you so much, Lindsay and it sure was emotional and one that I won’t soon forget. 🙂
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Reblogged this on TWO SISTERS LOST IN A COULEE READING and commented:
Update: The author of this book, Eileen O’Finlan has some exciting news to share about this book. Please head on over to the link below to see what it is…..but here is a hint…..
THE POPE HAS A COPY OF KELEGEEN!
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