Beyond The Western Sea: Book One: The Escape From Home [Hardcover]

Avi Avi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1996

On January 21, 1851, Maura and Patrick O'Connell are driven by a cruel English landlord from their impoverished village in Ireland. Their hope is to join their father in America, "The Promised Land." In the seething streets of Liverpool, the children share a fate played out against a cast of detectives, scalawags, and scoundrels worthy of any Victorian novel.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Devotees of historical novels will quickly become absorbed in this drama set in 19th-century England, about the misadventures of an Irish peasant and the young son of an English lord who cross paths before boarding a ship bound for America. The biting irony present in Avi's contemporary novels (Nothing but the Truth; City of Light, City of Dark) surfaces here in portrayals of the sharp contrasts between the upper and lower classes. Although the plot does tend to meander (the emigrants do not actually set sail until the last few pages), the author provides so many enticing side attractions in the form of unsavory villains and extraordinary twists of fate that readers will stay hooked. Full of tongue-in-cheek contrivances, this voluminous, Dickensian- style novel offers surprises around every corner. Fittingly, the book ends in medias res, so readers must await the September '96 publication of the second, and final, installment, Lord Kirkle's Money, to discover the destinies of Patrick and Laurence, the two unlikely traveling companions. Ages 11-14.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9?A suspense-filled adventure. Among the masses abandoning their Irish homes to escape famine, disease, and poverty in 1851 are 12-year-old Patrick and his older sister, Maura, who are joining their father in America. As they pass through the port city of Liverpool, they join an assortment of England's own unfortunates and malcontents. Among them is 11-year-old Laurence, penniless and hopelessly confused, who regrets having fled his wealthy home in London in a fit of rage. Patrick and Laurence meet only briefly, but long enough to seal their fate. As the dank, dirty back alleys of Liverpool come alive through the struggles of the three children, the scenes shift rapidly, challenging readers to keep track of a tangle of Dickensian characters ranging from the misguided to the malevolent. At its best, this book resembles Avi's much loved The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (Orchard, 1990), but is far weaker in character development and focus. The paradox of a fine novel is that it satisfies completely yet leaves readers thirsting for more. The clear intention of this book, however, is to introduce a two-part series. It is an engrossing read, worthy of purchase, but only if you fully intend to go for the yet-to-be-published sequel. Michael Morpurgo's well-done Twist of Gold (Viking, 1993; o.p.) covers strikingly similar territory for an only slightly younger audience.?Margaret Cole, Oceanside Library, NY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic (March 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531095134
• ISBN-13: 978-0531095133
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,869,559 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Avi has published more than sixty books. Among them is Crispin: The Cross of Lead, winner of the 2003 Newbery Medal. Other novels with nineteenth-century settings, like The Traitors' Gate -- his grand nod to the work of Charles Dickens -- are listed before the title page, and include the Newbery Honor Book, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Avi and his family live in Denver, Colorado.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great historical fiction book, better than most!, September 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Escape From Home (Beyond the Western Sea, Book 1) (Paperback)

I just finished reading this book, and am impatiently waiting for the next book to come in at the library. It was about the hardships Irish children go through, just to get on the ship to America. I especially liked how it was almost two stories in one, with the rich English boy, Lawrence, and the two poor Irish kids, Maura and Patrick going back and forth between the two. My advice is that you buy both Thsi book and the second one, because once you read this one, even overnight shipping will not get this book to you fast enough. Over all, it was one of the best books I've read.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond the Western Sea Book 1: Escape From Home, May 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Beyond The Western Sea: Book One: The Escape From Home (Hardcover)

Title: Beyond the Western Sea Book One "Escape from Home" Author: Avi # of Pages: 293

Beyond the Western Sea is a book full of suspense. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good book. There are many twists and turns from start to end, along with a very suspenseful ending making you want to read on. Beyond the Western Sea is the story of two young boys. Patrick O'Connell comes from a poor family in a small community. He lives with his mother and sister, Maura. Mr. O'Connell has been away for a year in America seeking a fortune, and promising to send for his family once he becomes rich. Patrick, Maura, and Mrs. O'Connell finally receive notice that their father is alive and rich. Lawrence Kirkle has a completely different situation. He comes from one of the richest families in London. Lawrence decides to run away to get away from his older brother who takes advantage of seniority. On his way, Lawrence manages to steal a 1,000 dollar bank note from his fathers desk. A chase begins in the port city of Liverpool with many surprises. Both boys eventually meet in Liverpool and help each other during their times of need. This book shows the different aspects of both boy's adventure. From "runners" to blackmail this book is a great story of adventure during the early years of America. Beyond the Western Sea is continued in an exciting sequel called Lord Kirkle's Money.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Escape From Home (Beyond the Western Sea, Book 1) By Avi, February 20, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Escape From Home (Beyond the Western Sea, Book 1) (Paperback)

This is a really great book. At first the book was a little slow, and boring, but it got SO GOOD! Now I want to read the next book. Basically, there is 2 stories of different people going on at once. Maura, Patrick O'Connel, and their mother are living alone while their father is living in America, trying to make money so that they can come live with him for a better life. They face a lot of challenging surprises as the reach their destination- America. With their mother refusing to leave their hometown, they are off on their own to reach their father. At the same time a young boy Sir Laurence Kirkle, son of a wealthy man, runs away to America because he is not happy with his life. With his father hiring people to find him and take him home, his older brother hires a man to make sure his brother stays away from home so he does not return home. Maura, Patrick, and Laurence all meet up and try to get to America, but do they?? You will have to read the next book to find out!!