February 2013
Discussion
In general everyone liked the book. Melissa read it in 2 days and rated it 9! The ratings ran from 5.5 to 9 and the average was 7.125.
We all enjoyed the first part of the book that was set in Ireland. There was a noticeable difference in the pace of the story between the Ireland/Michael story and the Chicago/Patrick story. Michele thought the author should have actually split the story into two separate books. The second half had a lot less detail than the first, even though it covered many more years. Sometimes things were a little jarring, like when Honora’s brother’s children show up with Patrick.
We wanted to hear more about the romance of Honora and Patrick. Melissa wanted a naked man to emerge from the sea. Lori thought the descriptive writing made you feel you were there.
We learned a bit about history. Wow, the English truly hated the Irish and wanted them to die! Chicago was really involved in the Civil War. Irish soldiers from the north and south had to fight each other, but hoped to reunite after the war and invade Canada.
Description
In a hidden Ireland where fishermen and tenant farmers find solace in their ancient faith, songs, stories, and communal celebrations, young Honora Keeley and Michael Kelly wed and start a family. Because they and their countrymen must sell both their catch and their crops to pay exorbitant rents, potatoes have become 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--victims saving themselves--in the emigration from Ireland.
Danger and hardship await them in America. Honora, her unconventional sister Máire, and their seven sons help transform Chicago from a frontier town to the "City of the Century." The boys go on to fight in the Civil War and enlist in the cause of Ireland's freedom.
Spanning six generations and filled with joy, sadness, and heroism, GALWAY BAY sheds brilliant light on the ancestors of today's forty-four million Irish Americans--and is a universal story you will never forget.
I actually read it in less than 24 hours. And back when I was single, yes I would have loved to have a naked Michael emerge from the sea for me. But without all of the later famine/blight/starvation/death stuff. :)
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