On a Clear Day (Severn House Large Print) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Anne Doughty (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2002 | Series: Severn House Large Print

Clare Hamilton is just nine years old when her childhood is abruptly ended with the death of both her parents in the typhoid epidemic of 1946. Though part of a large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins - most living in and around Armagh - Clare feels bereft, and with the cares of the world on her shoulders. Her little brother, William, is a difficult child at best of times, and looking after him proves a full-time job. Taken in by her kindly Aunt Polly to live in her cramped house in Belfast, Clare knows only that she wants to go back and live in the country. When her Granny Scott dies, leaving her blacksmith grandfather alone, Clare seizes her opportunity and returns to Salter's Grange to take care of him. At first tentative and awkward, the relationship between the old man and his granddaughter develops into a warm and loving bond that will sustain Clare through the years of her adolescence - as she grows into a lovely, intelligent young woman with the world at her feet.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In 1946, nine-year-old Clare Hamilton is enjoying a return to normalcy after World War II in Northern Ireland when her parents both die from typhoid. She has a large extended family to care for her and her younger, difficult brother, William, but they are separated when she goes to Belfast with an aunt and William stays in the country. The city has no appeal for Clare, and when her grandmother dies she is determined to go back home and take care of her grandfather, although he lives on a farm with few comforts. After her aunt allows her a two-week trial, Clare knows this is where she belongs, and she soon evolves from a young girl to a teenager with the gentle guidance of her grandfather. This is a sweet and captivating look at a young girl's triumph over adversity, and it gives an American audience an invaluable look at life from the perspective of Protestants living in Northern Ireland. A sequel is in the offing. Patty Engelmann
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

'An ability to capture between the pages the tender beauty of the Armagh countryside... Ms Doughty writes with insight and humour' Irish Times 'A fine eye for detail... and a great ear for dialect' Irish News 'An immensely readable, summer holiday of a book' Belfast Telegraph --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 560 pages
• Publisher: Severn House Publishers; Large type / large print edition (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0727871285
• ISBN-13: 978-0727871282
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,986,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars on a clear day, October 16, 2002

By 

sarbear (stockbridge,michigan usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On a Clear Day (Hardcover)

I dont like this book it is too boring! I couldnt get interested.
The introduction was just extremly boring, it had nothing that really interested me to keep reading.