Review: Galway Bay - Blog Tour

Title:  Galway Bay

Author:  Mary Pat Kelly

Review Copy Provided by:  Hachette Book Group

About the Book:  Here at last is one Irish family's epic journey, capturing the tragedy and triumph of the Irish-American experience. In a rousing tale that echoes the myths and legends of Ireland herself, young Honora Keeley and Michael Kelly wed and start a family, inhabiting a hidden Ireland where fishermen and tenant farmers find solace in their ancient faith, songs, stories, and communal celebrations. Selling both their catch--and their crops--to survive, these people subsist on the potato crop--their only staple food. But when blight destroys the potatoes three times in four years, a callous government and uncaring landlords turn a natural disaster into The Great Starvation that will kill one million. Honora and Michael vow their children will live. The family joins two million other Irish refugees in one of the greatest rescues in human history: the Irish Emigration to America. Danger and hardship await them there. Honora and her unconventional sister Maire watch their seven sons as they transform Chicago from a frontier town to the "City of the Century", fight the Civil War, and enlist in the cause of Ireland's freedom. The Kelly clan is victorious. This heroic story sheds brilliant light on the ancestors of today's 44 million Irish Americans.

My Review:  Having come from Irish ancestors, I was drawn to this book immediately.  To say it was a beautiful read would be an understatement.  I loved everything about this book, the writing, the characters, the story line, the history, all of it.  I have studied the Potato Famine with my kids at school, but never knew just how deeply and tragically it affected these people.  What a horrible feeling to know that all you had planted, all you had worked for, was ruined in less than a heartbeat.  What these people went through to sustain life, each other, and their families during the years of hardship is amazing!  It truly shows their character, determination, and resilience.  At the same time, they are being pushed out of Ireland, only to travel to "Amerikay."  How can they leave Ireland behind, the land where they were born, raised, and made their own families?  Coming to America brings it's own trials.  So many emotions went through me as I read this story.  Frank McCourt said, "Laughter and tears and pure magic." How right he was!  Honora, the main character, is truly admirable.  I love her!  I'm not sure I could have endured everything that she had to endure.

Mary Pat Kelly tells a wonderful story in Galway Bay.  It is based upon the true story of her family's journey.  A true gem of an historical fiction novel!

Here are some extras that you might enjoy reading:

Letter from Mary Pat Kelly
Author Essay - An Honor

Thanks to Miriam at Hachette, I have a copy to give away to a lucky reader!  Please leave a comment about your favorite period in history, favorite historical event, or favorite historical fiction novel.  I will randomly draw a winner on Monday, Mar. 23.  As always you can earn extra entries by following me, tweeting about this contest, or blogging about this contest.  Earn 3 extra entries for visiting another blogger on the tour and telling me something about their post.  Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Open to US/Canada addresses; no PO boxes.

Following is a list of ALL the other blogs on the tour.  I hope that you will take some time to stop by a few and see their thoughts on this great book!

http://2kidsandtiredbooks.blogspot.com/
http://athomewithbooks.blogspot.com/
http://book-thirty.blogspot.com/
http://readersrespite.blogspot.com/
http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/
http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com/
http://www.acircleofbooks.blogspot.com/
http://www.corinnesbookreviews.blogspot.com/
http://lorisbookden.blogspot.com/
http://www.bookthoughtsbylisa.blogspot.com/
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/
http://libraryqueue.blogspot.com/
http://allisonsatticblog.blogspot.com/
http://cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/
http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.com/
http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/
http://enroutetolife.blogspot.com/
http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/
http://www.marjoleinbookblog.blogspot.com/
http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/
http://cafeofdreams.blogspot.com/
http://jennsbookshelf.blogspot.com/
http://thebookczar.blogspot.com/
http://linussblanketcom/
http://booksbytjbaff.blogspot.com/
http://www.caribousmom.com/
http://hiddenplace.wordpress.com/
http://www.chikune.com/blog
http://librarygirlreads.blogspot.com/
http://diaryofaneccentric.blogspot.com/
http://savvyverseandwit.blogspot.com/
http://www.kayespenguinposts.blogspot.com/
http://writebyfaith.blogspot.com/
http://www.frommipov.blogspot.com/
http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com/
http://www.bookbargainsandpreviews.com/reviews/history/galwaybay.htm
http://wendisbookcorner.blogspot.com/
http://www.thisbookforfree.com/
http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/