Dreams of Other Days

by Elaine Crowley

When Katy O'Donnell marries handsome, swaggering, hard-drinking Jamsie O'Hara she is as fresh and filled with dreams as her mistress, Catherine Kilgoran, marrying in silk and lace up at the big house. But dreams and reality are sometimes a world apart... Dreams of Other Days is the story of two families of whose fortunes are inextricably linked, and of a small, close-knit Irish community bound together by tradition and by tragedy. It is also a tender and truthful portrayal of a marriage and of a woman whose indomitable spirit remains unbowed. By the bestselling author of The Ways of Women , this is a powerful and richly imagined novel which sweeps the reader back to the time of the great Irish famine, a time of courage, passion and upheaval.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Ireland, Romance

606 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Maryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've finally finished the book and I have to say, it would be the most unforgettable read ever. The book takes us back to the time before the Famine in Ireland. We're introduced to the people of Kilgoran.The main character is Katy O'Donell whose story begins as a young woman promised to a young man named Peader. However, she has a sort of "very unrealistic if you ask me" moment when she sees Jamsie O'Hara in mass and decides he is the one. It's humorous because Katy was born in Kilgoran and was bound to come across the young man a few times but all of a sudden at mass one day, she's in love with him. Too funny. Things begin to get complicated from there. Also, a new priest to the area is introduced and as a man of God, he keeps the faith strong in Kilgoran, tries to keep trouble at bay and performs all of his priestly duties. The readers are allowed into the mind of the priest and we're reminded that they too are only human. Most of the characters in Kilgoran are tenants, and the Lord of the land and his family is introduced. The Lord Kilgoran is a widower left to raise his children, I've forgotten the boy's name, Catherine, Olivia and Charlotte. They live in Kilgoran castle which is said to be haunted by the souls of the past inhabitants. Then we have the mother hen of the village, Hannah, maid to the Kilgorans. Statia, town gossip and the one everyone goes to for remedies in sickness, pregnancies etc. The village whore is also introduced as Johnny O'hara's wife. The grumpy Lords of the tenants, O'haras are also introduced as the Dalys. We watch all these characters grow throughout the years, through the tragedy, the loss and the challenges of the famine. Love blossoms, and death prevails many of them.

[Liz Wallis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am battling with the 'options' on this site... this is not a book I want to read... or am reading...but which I have read, many years ago!

It is highly recommended for anyone who enjoyed 'Angela's Ashes'.....

'Dreams of Other Days' as well as the sequel...'Waves upon the Shore' are evocative reads! I loved these two books - and they are not ones which I will easily forget. It was a 'real' story which made me feel like I was there ... with the family who experienced these hardships.... the potato famine.... being hungry.... looking to America for relief from their hard lives....

[Gabriella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book!

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart rendering story of families facing the misery of the Famine in Ireland. The story gives an insight of what the Irish people went through during this terrible time, the loss of loved ones through hunger and fever; tugged at the heartstrings. The role of the English and the greed of the aristocratic during this time was pathetic and shameful.

An excellent read!

[Jojoanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

A great book. Read them years ago and wanted to read them again after visiting Ireland. I hope I can find the sequel

[Jennifer Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be one of the BEST books I have ever read. Myself and my mum read this book and we cried !! The characters were so real and the book so well written that we felt we were brought back in time to the Irish Famine. Heart breaking and emotional but still "my favourite" book so far !!!

[Barbra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a wonderful book - a great story of the Irish Potato Famine. Had me in tears.

Back Cover Blurb:
A powerful and richly imagined novel which sweeps the reader back through history to the era of the great Irish famine, a time of courage, passion and political upheaval. When Katy O'Donnell marries handsome, swaggering, hard-drinking Jamsie O'Hara she is as fresh and filled with dreams as her mistress, Catherine Kilgoran, marrying in silk and lace up at the big house. The story of two families whose fortunes are inextricably linked, and of a small close-knit community bound together by tradition.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

there died too many people

[Lynn Hutchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an OK read, nothing startling, but enjoyed it.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.... nothing here that other authors haven't tried to do before.