This book may not be the typical easy read that you find on many of the shelves at Barnes and Noble, but it is by far the most insightful, thoughtful, and rewarding of novels I have read in a long time. It is a story that skillfully draws you into the lives of fourt different characters, all intertwined through the historical backdrop of the time (Civil War and Irish Famine). It is a story that opens your eyes to the history of the time in a poignant and compelling way, and yet this story is far more than your average historical fiction piece. It is first and foremost a book about faith and perserverance, and of the importance of seeing life in big pictures terms. Peter Troy skillfully weaves many perspectives through the book in an attempt to bring these concepts to life. He does an excellent job throughout. I highly recommend this book.