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Where a Wave Meets the Shore
It's 1952, and change is coming quickly to a rugged island off the west coast of Ireland.
It's coming even faster to the two young people about to meet there .
On the Great Blasket Island, with most of its inhabitants lost to emigration and those who remain growing elderly, the members of a close-knit community are preparing to quietly surrender what a century of Atlantic storms could not rip from their grasp.
Residents in the coastal towns along the Dingle Peninsula view the island as little more than a windswept, desolate outpost, and Tom McBride is inclined to agree with them. From the stories he's read and what little he's seen of the island from his uncle's fishing boat, it's a place of endless misfortune with a remnant of withered, superstitious people. That's what he assumes, anyway, but he hasn't met Brigid O'Sullivan.
To Brigid O'Sullivan, the Blasket is a place of magic and power. Its living spirit has drawn her in like a thread, defining her and giving her the gift of seeing things that others can't. She never wants to leave, but her neighbors are growing old and each year find it harder to stay. Her tiny village might soon be empty, but Brigid can't bear the thought of deserting her beloved island. The mainland has nothing to offer that could replace what she'll lose. That's what she assumes, anyway, but she hasn't met Tom McBride.
Imagine this: During the emotional last days of a proud island community, two very different people are about to fall very much in love. But love is never easy, and sometimes it isn't enough.
It's coming even faster to the two young people about to meet there .
On the Great Blasket Island, with most of its inhabitants lost to emigration and those who remain growing elderly, the members of a close-knit community are preparing to quietly surrender what a century of Atlantic storms could not rip from their grasp.
Residents in the coastal towns along the Dingle Peninsula view the island as little more than a windswept, desolate outpost, and Tom McBride is inclined to agree with them. From the stories he's read and what little he's seen of the island from his uncle's fishing boat, it's a place of endless misfortune with a remnant of withered, superstitious people. That's what he assumes, anyway, but he hasn't met Brigid O'Sullivan.
To Brigid O'Sullivan, the Blasket is a place of magic and power. Its living spirit has drawn her in like a thread, defining her and giving her the gift of seeing things that others can't. She never wants to leave, but her neighbors are growing old and each year find it harder to stay. Her tiny village might soon be empty, but Brigid can't bear the thought of deserting her beloved island. The mainland has nothing to offer that could replace what she'll lose. That's what she assumes, anyway, but she hasn't met Tom McBride.
Imagine this: During the emotional last days of a proud island community, two very different people are about to fall very much in love. But love is never easy, and sometimes it isn't enough.
258 pages, Paperback
Published November 15, 2016
About the author
Kathryn Guare
16 books77 followersAuthor of the award-winning Conor McBride International Mystery Series, Kathryn Guare’s character-driven novels are a mix of page-turning suspense and travel adventure, balanced with a little romance and humor. She has a passion for exploring diverse cultures and cuisine, Classical music, and all things Celtic, and mixes these into her stories along with other enthusiasms that capture her imagination. Formerly, as an executive with a global health advocacy organization, she traveled extensively throughout the world. Currently, as a native Vermonter, she hates to leave home during foliage season.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 15, 2017
This is the story of Tom and Connor's parents adventurous and death defying courting. Bridget has the gift and is eccentric, she was born on the Island of Blasket and has lived there all of her life. Now a young women she lives alone in one of Blasket's many abandoned houses. Tom McBride is farmer with boating skills and is recruited to take the Irish overnment official to the island. There he meets Bridget. Story moves quickly and if I could I might have given it the fifth star which I usually hold back for an exceptional book. For being the fourth in a series, this is a surprise with still so much good writing.
August 13, 2017
This is a book I was given to judge for the IPNE Awards. Since the first book I read to judge was so awful, I was a bit nervous to read this one but it captured me from the first page and I was blown away by what a good story it was. I almost hate to say it's a romance because I'm afraid it will turn people off from reading it but the rich historical details and lush descriptions of Ireland add so much depth to the story. The story of the Blasket Islands was fascinating, and the attention to detail of village life there was so interesting. This was a very compelling read!
May 14, 2017
I never expected this book to be this good for a Goodreads giveaway. A very nice love story set in a real place that you could just imagine yourself experiencing what the characters had with how the writer has described the place and how the people lived their lives before. I love that there is a hint of a "deja vu" between a character in this book and a character in the Connor Mcbride series because I'm sure a lot of people can relate to this feeling of having met somebody before.
April 25, 2018
I rarely read love stories , but this was an exception and I’m glad I did, because this was a absolutely great book. I love the description of the island of Basket. It made feel like I was there. The characters were really interesting and I feel my Irish roots in this story.
March 1, 2019
Beauty of Blasket Island, is what one thinks of with Ireland. The way of the island leaves many people with hardships to stay on the island. While the young to find a job leave. The author depicted Island life very well
July 11, 2018
Lovely
This is one of those books that stays with you for a while after you read the last page. It has a little bit of everything that makes for a great story telling.
This is one of those books that stays with you for a while after you read the last page. It has a little bit of everything that makes for a great story telling.
June 28, 2023
Tis a lovely love story during a difficult time in part of Ireland. <- You must say this with a thick Irish brogue!
February 19, 2017
Hauntingly beautiful
I've loved every one of the Connor McBride stories. The rich details and poignant love story make the characters come to life. Thank you Kathryn Guare. I hope there are many stories to come.
I've loved every one of the Connor McBride stories. The rich details and poignant love story make the characters come to life. Thank you Kathryn Guare. I hope there are many stories to come.
January 21, 2017
At first I thought the book was too short because I was enjoying reading it,but then I loved the ending and bought 2 copies for gifts.
April 20, 2017
I received Where a Wage Meets the Shore as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
Tom McBride is the youngest and weakest of four brothers, and the only one still living with his parents on their large dairy farm in County Kerry in the early 1950s. One fateful night, he assists a government official with a boat ride to Great Blasket Island, a small, isolated community three miles from the mainland. There he crosses paths with Bridgid O'Sullivan, a spirited but emotionally isolated young woman living with her aunt and uncle, one of the few young people still on the island. The two quickly fall in love, but find themselves torn between their conflicting desires for the future, while the fate of Blasket and its residents hangs in the balance.
The strongest part of this novel is the world it inhabits. Kathryn Guare does a spectacular job of setting the scene, an isolated part of the world on the cusp of the modern age, facing major choices about the future. The romance itself is fairly typical and predictable, but it's elevated by the vivid world the characters operate in. I wasn't aware of the history of Great Blasket Island, so as a history buff it was fascinating to learn about this little sliver of the past. Really enjoyable read.
Tom McBride is the youngest and weakest of four brothers, and the only one still living with his parents on their large dairy farm in County Kerry in the early 1950s. One fateful night, he assists a government official with a boat ride to Great Blasket Island, a small, isolated community three miles from the mainland. There he crosses paths with Bridgid O'Sullivan, a spirited but emotionally isolated young woman living with her aunt and uncle, one of the few young people still on the island. The two quickly fall in love, but find themselves torn between their conflicting desires for the future, while the fate of Blasket and its residents hangs in the balance.
The strongest part of this novel is the world it inhabits. Kathryn Guare does a spectacular job of setting the scene, an isolated part of the world on the cusp of the modern age, facing major choices about the future. The romance itself is fairly typical and predictable, but it's elevated by the vivid world the characters operate in. I wasn't aware of the history of Great Blasket Island, so as a history buff it was fascinating to learn about this little sliver of the past. Really enjoyable read.
August 12, 2017
A wonderful story full of love. The characters are well fleshed out and engaging. Having already read the spy novels, this book gives the backstory and adds to the enjoyment of having read them.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews