May the Road Rise Up to Meet You [Hardcover]

Peter Troy (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 28, 2012

An engrossing, epic American drama told from four distinct perspectives, spanning the first major wave of Irish immigration to New York through the end of the Civil War.
 
Four unique voices; two parallel love stories; one sweeping novel rich in the history of nineteenth-century America. This remarkable debut draws from the great themes of literature—famine, war, love, and family—as it introduces four unforgettable characters. Ethan McOwen is an Irish immigrant whose endurance is tested in Brooklyn and the Five Points at the height of its urban destitution; he is among the first to join the famed Irish Brigade and becomes a celebrated war photographer. Marcella, a society girl from Spain, defies her father to become a passionate abolitionist. Mary and Micah are slaves of varying circumstances, who form an instant connection and embark on a tumultuous path to freedom.
    
All four lives unfold in two beautiful love stories, which eventually collide. Written in gorgeous language that subtly captures the diverse backgrounds of the characters, and interspersed with letters, journals, and dreams, this unforgettable story, rendered in cinematic detail, is about having faith in life's great meaning amidst its various tangles.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Debut novelist Troy spins a sprawling mid-nineteenth-century novel, tightly interweaving four separate narrative strands into a vivid tapestry of Civil War–era America. As the U.S. teeters on the brink of civil war, issues of immigration, slavery, and abolition vie for national attention. Young Ethan McOwen, a refuge from the “Great Hunger” makes his way to New York City, a bustling metropolis in which opportunity abounds, but young Irish lads are not always welcomed with open arms. Pampered Marcella Arroyo defies her family and social conventions to become an outspoken abolitionist. Slaves Micah and Mary pursue the ever-elusive goal of freedom and self-determination. As these four young lives intersect, their personal stories are played out against a backdrop of critical historical events. Troy does an adept job of imbuing each character with a distinctive voice and point-of-view, keeping the story line flowing while providing a panoramic overview of a significant juncture in history. --Margaret Flanagan

Review

Praise for MAY THE ROAD RISE UP TO MEET YOU


“This big tale takes us from the world of the Irish Famine to the American Civil War—a wonderful family saga of poignant history, thrilling action, and romance.  But what I like best of all is the way Peter Troy writes it: This book is rich, it’s warm, it’s got heart and it’s got guts.  I highly recommend it.”  
—Edward Rutherfurd, New York Times bestselling author of New York: The Novel and The Rebels of Ireland


“Peter Troy weaves an epic tale of triumph and sorrow in the years before and during the war around the lives and voices of four individuals struggling to survive a world packed with noble hopes and chaotic events. Through the lives of Ethan, Marcella, Mary, and Micah, Troy reminds us again and again why the American Civil War remains the single most important moment in our history. Beautifully told, Troy has given us a story that will be with me for many years to come.”
—Robert Hicks, New York Times bestselling author of The Widow of the South and A Separate Country


“May the Road Rise Up to Meet You is a generous and sweeping Civil War saga about Southern slaves and newly arrived immigrants linked by a shared desire for abolition and freedom. Ranging from the clawing hunger of the Irish Famine to the abusive captivity of South Carolina, from rough-and-tumble Five Points to the genteel streets of Richmond, Virginia, this affecting and moving tale links disparate lives of impressive integrity, suffering and triumph, and yields a deeply personal portrait of the immigrants who fought the war and the people they fought it for. A hopeful, magnanimous depiction of America at its most vulnerable.” 
—Robin Oliveira, author of My Name is Mary Sutter, winner of the Shaara Prize for Excellence in Civil War Fiction

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; First Edition edition (February 28, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385534485
• ISBN-13: 978-0385534482
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1.5 x 9.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #178,898 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite book to date February 29, 2012

By HonestAbe

Format:Hardcover

I absolutely loved this book- I'm completely engrossed. I haven't felt this pulled into a book since I read the first Harry Potter 12 years ago. The time period is so beautifully depicted in the story- the imagery is incredibly vivid-- when Ethan was on the vessel sailing toward America- I can just feel for him- trapped in there, holding on to hope. No matter where life leads him, Ethan never lets go of hope. Ethan's hope is inspired by his love for his late sister who died during "the Hunger" in Ireland. The hope that Ethan has nourishes his faith and enables him to deal with an incredible hardship as his family adjusts to life in America- and the struggles and challenges that face them.

While the book is set during the Civil War, I still find myself relating to the characters in a truly dynamic way- I can feel the emotions they are going through. For instance, Ethan has a bravery that is motivated by the love he has for his family, the desire he has to succeed - it just makes me wonder if I would have been as brave as him if I were in the same situation- perhaps if my immigrant relatives were who came through New York when they first arrived in America.

While reading this book, I felt completely pulled out of my reality and into the story. It was a moving experience. As an avid reader- I highly recommend it.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific! March 7, 2012

By Matty in the Morning

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm not someone who spends too much time dabbling in the genre of historical fiction, but I have to say, this piece of work had me hooked from the first page. I don't ever remember reading through an entire book as quickly as I did this one. If I didn't have to go to work I would have had the whole thing read within 24 hours.

The four characters are each so unique and are easy for the reader to relate to. This tale will deliver you a mix of emotions, and as you become more attached to the characters you'll find yourself empathizing and celebrating with them throughout the whole novel. Although May the Road Rise Up to Meet You focuses on four characters, I take a special interest in African American history and therefore quite enjoyed the characters of Micah and Mary. I do believe there is something for everyone in this book.

If you're looking for a recommendation, here it is: you won't be sorry if you purchase this book!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Personal Contemplation Beyond Entertainment March 13, 2012

By JoeBey

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

May the Road Rise Up to Meet You: A Novel
Wonderful! This book goes beyond just the entertainment that a novel can bring. This book made me reflect on my life. It reminds me that wherever I am in my life is exactly where I'm supposed to be, but if I want to change where I am, I can do it. The characters, in their colloquial language and accents, written so honestly and purely by Peter Troy take you on a personal journey that makes you laugh and cry at times, but most often, makes you think. You can't help but root for all of them to overcome obstacles that might thwart someone on the path to where they wish to go, as they press on with the help of the kindness of others of this Earth and those gone by. What an inspirational tale of the hope that something better than where you are in life is capable. Once you read this book, you will want to pass it on to someone, which is just want Ethan McOwen would want you to do!