Dream Chaser

by Joan O'Neill

It is 1930s rural Ireland, and after the death of her beloved father, 15-year-old Eleanor, her younger sister Alice, and their grief-stricken mother give up their farm and livelihood to live with Eleanor's aunt, a successful small-town milliner. Ellie is now free to indulge her longing to explore the world, to go to college and learn, earn her own living, perhaps to follow in her aunt's footsteps and learn a creative trade. Eventually, Ellie and her aunt persuade her mother to send her and Alice to America, to live with their uncle and his wife in their guest house in Manhattan. But, soon after arriving it is clear that Ellie will be nothing but a glorified slave in her uncle's house, working all hours cleaning, washing, and running errands. Ellie despairs when Alice is singled out for education and sent to school, while Ellie stays at home to be taunted by her educated teenage cousin .One night, Ellie decides to make a run for it. She packs her bag and boards a train to Boston, where Violet, a rich girl she met on the boat trip from Ireland, lives. Ellie hopes that with Violet's help she can fulfill her dreams—even it means leaving her family behind.

272 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2007

About the author

Joan O'Neill is a well-established, best-selling author of adult fiction both in Ireland and the UK. Originally published over in Ireland, the Daisy Chain trilogy has been in print since 1990 and the reissues have proved to have enduring appeal to readers of 10 and above. Joan has three grown up daughters and lives with her husband in idyllic County Wicklow in Ireland. In between writing she is a keen water-colourist and travels frequently to Italy to gain inspiration and paint.

Reviews

[Fleurdelys21 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was on the 'Young Adult' shelf, but to be honest, apart from one scene in the entire book, I think it would be better suited to Children's fiction.

The writing style was too simple to be good and events happened too quickly or without enough reaction from characters. Friends were made and lost and people fell in and out of love without very much drama.

I didn't feel the characters, not really. I didn't share Ellie's emotions about people or places in the book.

And the ending...what ending? The book just ended at the end of another chapter in my opinion - none of Ellie's thoughts, no reflection, loose ends left untied. And no epilogue either. Maybe someone tore out half the book?

That said, I did like the idea of the story and gradually grew to share Ellie's love for New York. In fact, if I could take the basic plot from this and have it written by someone else, I've no doubt it would be one of my favourites.

[Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It is well written, and I like the little romance with Ellie and Zak. I really like perfect endings, and so I'm hoping they'll get together and be happy, but then I'm not the author. :) A good book.

[Selah Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It is well written, and I like the little romance with Ellie and Zak. I really like perfect endings, and so I'm hoping they'll get together and be happy, but then I'm not the author. :) A good book.