A Boy From Ireland: A Novel

by Marie Raphael

“An excellent, moving story” (Midwest Book Review) of an immigrant boy who triumphs over prejudice. 1901. A half-Irish boy is beaten in Ireland for his English blood, then again in New York City, where Irish and English, blacks and whites also hate based on historical wrongs. Drawn in at first, he breaks an ordeal of bullying and violence, helped by a black employer, a new friend, and a fiery thoroughbred horse. “Unsparing in its depiction of prejudice…heartwarming in its portrayal of friendship and moral awakening” (Howard Zinn).

Genres: School

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2007

Reviews

[Sarah B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy to read book and the story flowed very smoothly and yet it is a story filled with strife and struggle. Liam, who is 14-years-old, has to make some very tough choices. And unfortunately he does make some wrong ones. In fact I would say he makes more wrong ones than right ones! He lets people goad him into doing the wrong thing even when it's clear he knows its wrong. Sometimes I found that frustrating because I just knew it was going to end up badly but that is how people learn. I did enjoy reading this and I actually read it very quickly but it's not exactly a happy story.

A lot of the plot in this book is about this ongoing battle between the Irish and the English. Liam, who is part Irish due to his deceased mother and part English to his missing father gets bullied by the pure Irish teens. They just can't leave him alone. They just see him as the enemy. And his very Irish uncle sees it the same way. Truthfully I hated his uncle. He's too cruel and close-minded but that is probably how they were back then. Some people are still that way.

This is also an adventure story too. Liam does many crazy things in here. He is sort of wild and he doesn't really think things through. Do I like him? I honestly cannot say. I really cannot approve the things he does (with some being far worse than others). I do wish he would have thought things through or that he would have had the courage to say no to the ones goading him into stupidity! But then I guess there would be no story... I have heard the old saying that Irish are hot blooded so maybe that is coming through with his personality.

And this is indeed a horse story. Liam used to work with horses when he was living with his mother at this Earl's place who had a huge stable so it's only natural he gravitates towards them in New York City. I enjoyed the scenes with Morengo the ex-fire station horse. And there is a wild grey in here too! Lots of horse stuff like cleaning frogs and stalls plus crazy riding attempts.

There was a scene in here I absolutely loathed though. If it weren't for that I would give this five stars. I actually didn't mind all the strife and crazy stuff going on as it sure kept the plot moving at a fast trot.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good research, but the characters were really wooden.