Customer Reviews

Irish Lace

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

 

 

"Irish Lace" with it's beautiful irish quips and sayings constantly brought me back to the green pastures of Ireland. I thought that the relationship that Dermott and Nuala Anne shared refreshing. My only criticism was that some of the "reports" sounded too much like a history lectures and didn't really integrate well with the modern aspects of the book. Although, I really don't think that was the case for 'Titia's letter, which I enjoyed immensely. Overall, I felt like I'd lost a friend when it ended.

My first book by Andrew Greenly was "Irish Gold" and I could not wait to read "Irish Lace". What really interested me was the information on the Civil War. I was not aware that there were prison camps during this period and of the suffering that occured. Did the government hide it or am I naive on the subject? Nuala is the most enjoyable character that I have been exposed to. The Sunnyvale library closed for the summer for renovations, and I checked out five books, all by Andrew Greenly.

While this book was written in a simple and easy to read fashion, it was not memorable or particularly engaging. I never actually connected with any of the characters. Nuala was too perfect and Dermot was too stupid. I found the language idiosyncratic and the plot trite and boring. I never got into the book; I was always checking to see if I was close to the end. I would recommend this book to someone who does not like stories that are too complicated or clever.

Well, IRISH LACE surprised me. I liked it quite a bit, in fact. I don't think I will dig up the others in the series, but this one worked really well.

I have always enjoyed Nancy Drew mysteries - no, this wasn't exactly one, but a very similar formula: beautiful, talented girl, jocular fellow, layers of mystery... this threw in some erotica and mysticism...but otherwise -

I mostly appreciated learning a little history at the same time. Greeley did a nice job of illuminating a little of the Civil War's ugly side - and telling a story at the same time.

I even ran a few of the expressions by Pat - and he confirmed them - he also filled me in on some of the names of IRA folks...

It was clever and fun.

I personally enjoyed this book very much.It used a fresh outlook on Irish folklore by setting it in modern America.The characters were deep enough to be real,but not so deep as to appear overly plotted.It also displayed a suprising amount of true "Irish humor",something, in my opinion rather diffucult to do. The author by using these approuches created a realistic,fasinating and perhaps most importantly a truly enjoyable book!

This second book in the Nuala Anne McGrail series is as much of a delight as the first one. I felt like giving Dermot a full-sided kick in the pants at certain points, waiting for him to decide whether he was going to propose to Nuala Anne or not. On the other hand, it's so easy to empathize with all his indecision and "nobler motives"...I'm glad there's a new book to continue the McGrail saga...

Enjoyed Irish Gold so there was no question about following through with the sequel. Rather disappointing. Nuala is just too perfect and wonderful. The immigration officials are too mean (I can't believe they wouldn't have better immigrants to worry about rather than perfect Nuala?) Greeley's political opinions are introduced a little too often. (Republicans continue to be rather evil, mean-spirited folk). And who says Bill Clinton is a big hero with the Irish? Hardly.

Please read the rest of my reviews of the books in this series. I hate to be boring. I own them ALL. Warning-you may well become hooked.

I have always enjoyed Andrew Greeley's books, but I was disappointed in this one. I have not read the first book in the series, and I probably won't. Usually Greeley tells a story well. In this one, he contorts the storyline by spewing far too much unrealistic and personally felt verbage about politics. I feel he lets his political views poison the storyline. I also agree that the two main characters are a little too perfect. It is hard to develop empathy for them.

What a wonderful story. I love all Andrew Greeley's Irish (Nuala Anne McGrail) books. She makes you proud to be a woman.