Customer Reviews

Irish Gold

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It was my first contact with the author Father Andrew M. Greeley and that's the only reason I put a 9 and not a10. I was amazed by his vividness and skill the clarity and effectiveness of his prose. There are no romantic cliches here, only real emotions of everyday people. I will surely read more of your books Father Andrew M. Greeley.

Being a Greek I can't say that I have so much knowledge of the Irish History. I am certainly intrigued to learn much more. This is the accomplishment of the author that I value most. His book being very much entertaining, it goes beyond entertainment. It gives information, it analyses a point of view, an aspect about what happened in a certain occasion that remains one of the mysteries of modern history.

God Bless You Father and May Keep You Well.

I have been a fan of Andrew Greeley for a long time--my first introduction was "White Smoke." This book eclipses that fine tale. The good Father is a skilled story-teller and a sensualist to boot! His weaving of history along with the modern love story between Nuala and Dermot was delightful. I didn't want to put it down. It also offers a plausible explanation for Mick Collins' death. In addition, it brought back fond memories of my travels in Ireland to find my family roots. Turn off the t.v., get a good drink, a comfortable chair, and prepare to enjoy yourself.

Once again, Andrew Greeley has given his readers a sample of his finest work. This story, peppered with perfectly magical imagery of the Irish countryside, succeeds in capturing the true romance of Irish history. Greeley succeeds magnificently in his attempt to link truth and fiction as he explores the mystery of the Michael Collins murder.

Follow Dermot Michael in his quest for the truth about his grandparents, and be swept away by the two parallel love stories which will leave any reader wishing the book would never end.

A truely magical tale, this book is a treasure for any reader who is a romantic at heart.

It is a great love story and a bit of history one can learn a great deal from. I've fallen in love with the characters and history, and me being a"prod" at that! Thank you Andrew M. Greeley for a reprieve from my albeit, rewarding days of mothering. It is nice to read of such grand loving characters in my nights!

This is a non-stop read. I'd reccomend the book to anyone looking for a little romance, history, and mystery in an Irish setting. The author has uniquely captured the Irish and Irish-American cultural traits and interwoven it with an interesting history in attempting to solve some of the mystery of Michael Collin's assasign.

Andrew Greely sttikes gold with this wonderfully romantic mystery novel! Nuala is the most appealing character I've ever read! Dermot is real and awkward and full of life! The inner diologue is shockingly realistic. Both sexes will enjoy this one. Finally a romantic novel written from a male perspective that is well written and explores the sensitive, insecure side of men without sacrificing the rough-and-tumble! A great balance!

This is the first book of an on going series by Andrew Greeley. The main characters are Dermot Coyne, a lucky man who by a mistake made his fortune on Wall Street, and Nuala Anne a mystical Irish woman who is attending school at Trinity College in Dublin when they meet.The two become embroiled in a assasination plot which occured 80 years ago. The story unfolds as the pair travel over Ireland to search for clues to figure out who really assisinated Michael Collins. Tidbits of Irish history and culture are added along with Dermot's Chicago culture to create a story that makes you wonder what really happened. The best part is Nuala's accent and the hints of more to come in future books. I really enjoyed this book because the plot is carried by a murder mystery 80 years old. I also enjoyed the romantic undertones. Nuala and Dermot act like two normal people physically attracted and yet the there are no scenes that are graphic or in poor taste. This was the first book of Andrew Greeley's that I read and since then I have read many more of his books.

Andrew Greeley succeeds with the ultimate writer's challenge: a story within a story. His historical fiction is spiced with unrequitted love to sweeten the savory stew he's cooking up. Irish heritage comes alive in the romantic mystery that surrounds Ireland's equivalent to the Kennedy assasination.

Young Irish-American Dermot Coyne, an inspiring writer, travels to Ireland to find his roots. His grandparents fled Ireland in 1922 during the troubles and with them they took a secret that could change history. Dermot's innocent probing into his family's past turns treacherous as members of an unknown network attempt to put an end to his investigation. Might Dermot solve the great twentieth century mystery: who killed Michael Collins? Were there millions in gold that disappeared after the Easter uprising and where might it be now? Could present peace in Northern Ireland be at stake because of political maneuvers of the past? Author Andrew Greeley skillfully blends history, romance, adventure, and mystery into this story that examines these questions.

This novel is not without its flaws. Case in point, sugarcoated Irish dialogue and a budding romance between Dermot and the flawless Nuala McGrail that is too idealistic to grasp. Still, the thoroughly researched facts make up for the minor shortcomings of the book. Greeley himself describes the story as an exercise in historical speculation. The result of combining fiction with truth is that it adds a new dimension to critical thought. What one may have blindly accepted as bona fide becomes scrutinized. Greeley deserves praise for writing a book that captures the essence of a culture and a generation, while achieving in the reader a sense of self-debate.

Irish Gold is a great historical novel along with a great mystery novel. Greely does a great job at captivating the reader and making us feel close to the characters.