Customer Reviews

Beyond the Western Sea, Book Two: Lord Kirkle's Money

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After I first finished book one in this series, I couldn't wait to read this one. Although it was a bit disturbing( personaly I don't like dramatic parts of books), I enjoyed this adventurous and captivating sequal to Escape From Home.

This book has many characters so it would be hard for me to summarize a review of what it's about. What I can tell you is that I hadn't read the first book and I thought I would be confused while I read this book, but I drifted along with everything that happened. Much suspense and everytime on thing happens it is quickly changed by someone else. In the begin I thought it wasn't worth my time, but when I reached the middle I knew that it had to be 5 stars and nothing less!

Lord Kirkle's Money picks right up from book one. As the O'Connells travel across the western sea they take in a girl on the same boat whose parents have died. The boat has an epidemic of ship fever. Patrick struggles to sneak his stowaway friend, Laurence, enough food. Meanwhile, Mr. Drabble, a companion of the O'Connells', teaches his rich friend proper grammar in order to make some money. The O'Connells are to be picked up by their father in America. Are they sure their father is still alive? If not, what will become of them? There are many people in America who will do almost anything to stop Irish and the other immigrants from staying in America. Where will Mr. Drabble go? Will the O'Connells survive? Avi has done it again! His book is filled with adventure. It would definitely go in my top 50 list. There are lots of problems and some how, everything ties in. Even though the words don't take you away, this book definitely has power. Avi puts in lots of conflict and gives every character strong feelings. Whether the character is good or evil, he or she does something for the opposite. Everything turns out okay,but are you sure that it's the way it should be? Avi's books are just inspirational.

When my teacher made me read this book I thought Oh Great another long book. After a few chapters I couldn't stop. Avi is brilliant with these books 1 and 2. These two books are exciting, fun, and a cast of characters like you couldn't believe!I would not be suprised seeing the books in a Broadway Musical,you'd have to be crazy not to read these books. I cannot wait for Book 3, what happens with Grout, Laurence etc. If Avi reads this please e-mail me, after these books I almost worship you. Don't forget to read these books!!

Beyond the Western Sea is a book of hope; the hope one family treasures. When two Irish children set off on a boat to meet their father in the unfamiliar world of America, there's trouble from the start. Maura O'Connell has enough worries watching after her wild brother, Patrick, without having to put up with Mr. Drabble, a man madly in love with her. Patrick has a boat full of his own secrets. But the long ride to America is just the beginning. America is full of the sorrow they wanted to leave behind in Ireland. My favorite character in this book is Laurence. Sir Laurence Kirkle left his home to get away from the thing the O'Connells pray for. What does Mr. Shagwell, the owner of the Lowell Mills, want with a street boy? Who is the man out to send all Irish immigrants back to their country? What secret does Laurence keep from his best friend? The only way to answer these questions is to travel Beyond the Western Sea.

Beyond the Western Sea lets one see what terrible trials the Irish had to go through in the eighteen hundreds. They were tortured in Irealand by the English landowners, and in America, by the "Know Nothings"( A secret society of people who wanted America to remain Puritan and would stop at nothing to keep it so. They got their name because when ever they were asked about their group, they would say, "I know nothing" ). The Irish were treated like dogs by most of the people in America and England. All through the story though, the characters remain proud of their heritage and their religion. They do not wield to the will of their persecuters. This is a book that will inspire people who feel descriminated, to stand strong against their oppressors.
( It is also a good book for people who are fans of Charles Dickens).

The second book in the group begins as the major players from "Escape from Home", finally board the ship for Boston. It remains fast paced and interesting, although a sea voyage might seem to have the potential to be boring.

The families in steerage are miserable, being a stowaway is stressful and lonely, the first class passengers get to know (and despise) each other. The crew of the ship is nasty and the passengers are forced into close quarters and filth, yet held in contempt by the very people who arrange it so they live that way. Of course passengers die on the ship so a little girl is brought into the mix when her parents die- the stowaway is able to leave the ship in a creative manner- engineered by Patrick.

Like so many immigrants, these characters are overwhelmed when they reach Massachusetts because they have not arrived in Paradise. More hard, dangerous work awaits them along with the added anti-immigration, specifically against the Irish, sentiments flooding the East during the mid-1800's. Sadly, for the Irish, the characters relish any opportunity to earn money. Even the young English gentleman is proud to begin earning a few pennies.

Young readers will become outraged when they read of the terrible living conditions- again- and the treatment these people receive at the hands of those in power. There are enough twists in the plot to keep it interesting, but simple enough to keep track of the characters and their shifting attitudes and loyalties. The pace is fast and suspenseful, the chapters are of varying lengths making it somewhat difficult to put down! The villans are nasty and get away with more than they should.

An excellent introduction to immigrant's lives and struggles during times of great poverty. Avi needs to write a third book to complete this set to explore how difficult it was to establish a life in a new place, and to see how difficult it was to strike it rich in the California Gold Rush.

To an adult reader the character development seemed a bit thin and the cast a little small for the degree of interconnectedness. I think it's a good level of both of those characteristics for younger readers- maybe a 10 yo if she's interested in the subject would be the youngest who would enjoy this book.

This was a very good book, but soemtimes I found that it dragged on a bit. Personaly, I liked the first book in the 'series' better, (Beyond the Western Sea,) because it was faster paced and it contained more adventure. However, this book had a great first 100 pages,the last couple chapters were full of suspense, but in between it got kind of boring. The first part of the book is about the journey Patrick, Maura and Laurence take to reach America. Maura and Patrick travel in steerage, were they meet Bridy, who's parents die and ask Maura to take care of her. In steerage, they come face to face with death, rats, storms, etc. Laurence boards the ship as a stowaway, and is almost found several times. Patrick brings food to him. When they are about to reach America, Maura realizes Laurence needs an identity. Laurence goes to America as Bridy's dead brother, John Farerty. I won't tell you what happens next, because then there would be no point in reading the book. However, expact an unexpected twist at the end of the book. All in all, this book was a good read, and it is worth reading. Just be sure to read the first book in the series, (Beyond the Western Sea,) first.

The Beyond the Western Sea books are great books. I had them for a summer reading book and got 11/12 of one in less than a day. Avi has great characters in the story. Each with their own fascinating personality. It was probably the best book I've read all year.

A wonderful historical fiction book, about a family who brings a stowaway on board a ship to America. This book is a real page turner! At the end of each chapter the story made you want to read the next.