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Through the Open Door
Boston, Massachusetts 1880...Charles Brennan, obsessed by greed, abused his power as a husband and employer, isolating his wife, Rose, and violating the household help. In an act of desperation, one of them murdered him, releasing them all from his control, but not from the guilt and shame they buried deep within.Through the Open Door, a sequel to Kitchen Canary, meets the characters seven years later. The killer recounts the abuse inflicted by Charles Brennan and describes the final acts of cruelty that led to his murder. When the doors of freedom opened, each of the victims followed their own path.Rose Brennan is a shrewd business women, who imports high end art and furnishings for the wealthy occupying Back Bay. She is the matriarch of the 'family,' her children and the victims of her late husband's cruelty.Rose's son, Charles, moved to Europe in search of exotic imports for his mother's business. Margaret, sullen and irascible, cannot find her place in the world.. Virginia, the child conceived by an Irish domestic and Charles Brennan, is approaching adolescence, and wants to know about her birth story.The Irish domestics are established with husbands and families. The Irish have a foothold in politics, with a plan to elect the first Irish Catholic mayor of Boston. Moira and Paddy McMahon's marriage, built on a foundation of secrets and lies, crumbles when Paddy finds the lure of politics greater than his love of family. Moira seeks the counsel of a new pastor, while Paddy comforts himself with whiskey, gambling and women.Boston's wealthy are moving to the new Back Bay. Katie O'Neil's husband, Sean, is at the center of the building boom. He offers a job to Etta's son. Matthew finds the logging camp in Maine a dreary and cold place to work. He's frozen out by the white Irish, rejecting him for his race. It takes all his strength to prevail as a negro in a white world.The freed slaves, Etta and William , continue to work for Mrs. Brennan. William, now married, observes their lives from afar, while Etta immerses herself and her sons, Matthew and Luke in the 'family.' Her sense of security is shattered when she learns Luke's actions could jeopardize her home and livlihood. Through the Open Door describes the effects of the abuse of power on its victims as they continue their lives. Through the experiences of its characters, it pays homage to the courageous men and women who left their homelands to assure a better life for their families, and provides the reader with an understanding of the rejection, humiliation and ultimate bravery of freed negroes as they assimilated into an unwelcoming white culture.Through the Open Door celebrates the accomplishments of the children of immigrants, and serves as a reminder that throughout the generations, joy, acceptance, heartbreak and loss are a part of every family's story.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
222 pages, Paperback
Published August 20, 2018
137 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 1, 2020
Sequel
Better than fair sequel to Kitchen Canary. It carried on with the same characters and locale.Few new characters or storyline were added so nothing really progressed, it just continued, but maybe that is what it was meant to do. everything everything just flowed along with no huge exciting changes. A little too predictable which was disappointing. In my opinion it would have made a far superior single book of rather than splitting it in two, but I wasn't involved with writing or publishing the novel, so I don't know the author's time scape. Thoroughly enjoyed both books and highly recommend both
. I plan to read Ms. Parson 's next book and will get a better feel regarding my thoughts about a combining these two into one. These were her first books and you gain experience as you go so I look forward to her next work.
Better than fair sequel to Kitchen Canary. It carried on with the same characters and locale.Few new characters or storyline were added so nothing really progressed, it just continued, but maybe that is what it was meant to do. everything everything just flowed along with no huge exciting changes. A little too predictable which was disappointing. In my opinion it would have made a far superior single book of rather than splitting it in two, but I wasn't involved with writing or publishing the novel, so I don't know the author's time scape. Thoroughly enjoyed both books and highly recommend both
. I plan to read Ms. Parson 's next book and will get a better feel regarding my thoughts about a combining these two into one. These were her first books and you gain experience as you go so I look forward to her next work.
October 21, 2020
Oh what tangled webs
You'll need a slip of paper to keep track of these Characters. A Family saga of ever there was one, and oh so involved. Picking up where "Kitchen Canary" sort of left off and going on a slow race thru early Irish held Boston, the higher Rich and lowly Servants all who equalize in a Family tale. Well worth the read and the figuring out .
You'll need a slip of paper to keep track of these Characters. A Family saga of ever there was one, and oh so involved. Picking up where "Kitchen Canary" sort of left off and going on a slow race thru early Irish held Boston, the higher Rich and lowly Servants all who equalize in a Family tale. Well worth the read and the figuring out .
March 8, 2021
Through the Open Door
This book gave interesting insight into the extent of discrimination both racist and ethnic that determined the choices and paths of several generations in America even today.
This book gave interesting insight into the extent of discrimination both racist and ethnic that determined the choices and paths of several generations in America even today.
January 20, 2022
Loved every moment.
The description of this time in a world against humanity. You feel every cold winter, hunger, loneliness and love. Hope for a future where kindness and respect rule. Where God and peace prevail. Where family is the future and love has no boundaries.
The description of this time in a world against humanity. You feel every cold winter, hunger, loneliness and love. Hope for a future where kindness and respect rule. Where God and peace prevail. Where family is the future and love has no boundaries.
May 24, 2019
A story about how several families join
From slaves to freed business women, the story is bbq about how strong women keep bbq their families, white and black together
From slaves to freed business women, the story is bbq about how strong women keep bbq their families, white and black together
May 26, 2019
Sigh..
A simple masterfully told story. William left me in tears at the end.
PLEASE! You must write more! You are a beautiful storyteller!
A simple masterfully told story. William left me in tears at the end.
PLEASE! You must write more! You are a beautiful storyteller!
March 20, 2020
An excellent sequel. A great closure to the characters stories.
March 20, 2021
Happily ever after
The family grew and got large . Most of the children being related some way like had brothers and half sisters.
The family grew and got large . Most of the children being related some way like had brothers and half sisters.
March 16, 2022
Great
Book ,this was a very nice book. I was sad for it to end. I enjoyed getting to know these people in first book. Then more in this book. Excellent read.
Book ,this was a very nice book. I was sad for it to end. I enjoyed getting to know these people in first book. Then more in this book. Excellent read.
May 26, 2022
I found this engrossing
Different from other books. Characters are thought provoking and believable. I surely will read more of this author very soon.
Different from other books. Characters are thought provoking and believable. I surely will read more of this author very soon.
February 18, 2023
Love A Good Series
Love a good series and this one is no exception. To see the characters lives through their eyes brings the story to life.
Love a good series and this one is no exception. To see the characters lives through their eyes brings the story to life.
June 11, 2023
I loved this sequel to Kitchen Canary, the characters all had an ending, left me happy.
October 16, 2023
Great story!
Great story! Loved the characters and the way their lives were entwined! Hope for a follow up! Not ready to give them up yet!
Great story! Loved the characters and the way their lives were entwined! Hope for a follow up! Not ready to give them up yet!
January 12, 2024
Fabulous sequel
Enjoyed this sequel to Kitchen Canary! Kindle edition paragraphs kind of jump around, switching scenes, but it's easy enough to follow. Great story!
Enjoyed this sequel to Kitchen Canary! Kindle edition paragraphs kind of jump around, switching scenes, but it's easy enough to follow. Great story!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews