Akin to Alice McDermott, Regina McBride has crafted a gem that explores exile and memory, and the ways in which passion transcends time and distan...
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reviews
Jun 15, 2010
Mark
rated it: 
A beautifully written book about a young woman who finds herself unable to finish much of what she starts. Fiona O'Faolain moved to Taos, New Mexico to live with her father and wants nothing to do with her mother, back in Ireland. In an interlude which comprises the main portion of the book, we learn why she felt it necessary to cut herself off from her mother and the land of her birth, and in the meantime we also learn a little of what has led to her present paralysis. Meeting a man, Carlos, wh
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Jul 12, 2009
Megan
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I liked the author's first book enough that I read this one, too. Different material, but the same lyrical prose. And it's written about two of my favorite places on the planet - New Mexico and Ireland! I had to read it! This book was a bit more hopeful, a tad more uplifting and that characters certainly are more relatable. I like how she ties fairy lore into a present-day narrative, although I wish she had concentrated a bit more on making the present-day chapters as dynamic as the flashbacks.
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Apr 28, 2009
Carin
rated it:
"You have the great failing of the Celtic soul...nostalgia."
"It seems almost strange to remember what things once were and what they eventually become."
"He was telling her about the impulse of life beginning under the valve that caused the heart to pump."
"It seems almost strange to remember what things once were and what they eventually become."
"He was telling her about the impulse of life beginning under the valve that caused the heart to pump."
Feb 26, 2009
Mary
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I read this book two years ago. I know I read it, I marked in my journal. Yet I don't remember it. For me, that's the best indication of a lightweight read.
May 08, 2008
Lesley
rated it:
I picked this up at the free book giveaway last year and finally picked it up again. The story follows Fiona through two separate time periods, her teenage years in Ireland and her adult years in New Mexico. The author does a good job of mixing the two stories together, sometimes when authors try to do that it gets confusing, however McBride does not create that problem. I really enjoyed the Irish folktales and the description of the Irish landscape. The “big” turning point in the book wasn’t a
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Feb 19, 2009
Audrey
rated it:
very sensual and lyrical prose style, with traces of Irish folk and fairy lore. While the flashback portions of the book, which make the main section of it, are very strong, I think the main character is weak almost to the point of disappearing in the "now" chapters. But there's a symbolism possible in that weakness that becomes evident in the final chapters. Still, I'm not sure that it resolves my issues with her development through the book, just as I'm not sure that all the differen
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Jul 26, 2010
Mandy
rated it:
Not as good as her other two books but still compelling enough to read in a day.
Sep 07, 2010
Elizabeth
rated it:
Comments before reading: I think I read this book before a little bit. Not sure what happened. I better get to reading it again. I hope I am in a more fitting mood to read this book then last time.
Comments after reading: I had to force myself to finish this book. It wasn't something I would normally read. I am not sure why I ever picked it up to read. It wasn't a horrible story or anything but not very good. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone but I'm sure there were people who More...
Comments after reading: I had to force myself to finish this book. It wasn't something I would normally read. I am not sure why I ever picked it up to read. It wasn't a horrible story or anything but not very good. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone but I'm sure there were people who More...
Feb 04, 2012
Sara
rated it: 
This book had an ethereal dream like quality of the best kind. The best comparison I could think of was fog. It's quite and soft, and damp without being depressing. It's fog like, but somehow uplifting. Perhaps because all the really sad events take place through the main characters memory. I think it was the perfect time in my life to read this book, and in some ways it made me feel whole again. I would highly recommend it too anyone who enjoys books with beautiful and tender prose.
Mar 28, 2008
Kate
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This is a perfect book. Incredibly beautiful, poetic writing style, page-turner story, great characters. I suck at writing reviews.
Jul 29, 2008
Amy
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A coming of age story told in the present and in flashbacks. Wonderful Irish folklore.
Jan 07, 2008
Shay
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A very gentle book. It was a fast read that really transported me to Ireland and New Mexico.
Feb 19, 2012
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