Customer Reviews

Norah’s Children

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4 star:		(2)
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What a wonderful story...so real to the time period. It was nice to read a book that actually held my interest. Why isn't this book on the best seller list? I can't wait for her next book...I will recommend this book to all my friends!

My wonderful step-mother recommended this book to me. I read until 3AM one night because I couldn't put it down. (Tough going at work the next day!) I had to know the fate of each of the children. The book takes you to the past but it could be written today about the struggles of many children. Can't wait for Ms. O'Farrell's next book.

I had the honor of meeting Ms O'Farrell at a book signing and was not disppointed in her first book. I was not able to put it down until I read every last page!!!! Looking forward to more of her works. Would love to have this available on audio----and read by the author!!!!

Background: The author is a resident of Tarpon Springs, Florida, and wrote this book while a member of the "Wordsmith" writing group after retiring in Florida from Ireland. Summary: In 1924 Ireland, when Norah Kelly unexpectedly dies, her family's peaceful, rural life is shattered. Her husband, Brendan, decides he must seek a new wife, and places their four youngest children with an elderly aunt. After his wedding, he refuses to take the children back, and will keep only the eldest. The aunt is left to resolve the children's plight and find new homes for them. The story of Norah's Children holds us in its spell until the final, moving chapter. Michael is the sequel to Norah's Children. Ms. O'Farrell unravels the mystery of the youngest of the orphaned Kelly children. Once again, the author looms a spell-binding tale, this time Michael's poignant coming-of-age story, exposing Irish and British rivalries of the 20th century, Hitler's rage in England, and affirming the thread of familial love. It is evident that the author's writing skills have been sharpened immensely.

In 1922, Norah Kelly lived at Glendarrig in County Galway, Ireland, with her husband Brendan and her four children Pierce, age eight, Mary, age six, Colm, age four, and Sheelagh, age two. After having a stillborn child, she gives birth to a son, Michael. Two years later, she dies unexpectedly. Brendan sends the four younger siblings to live with Norah's Aunty Bridgie while he seeks a wife to care for the children. However, the morning after his wedding to an eighteen-year-old young woman, he changes his mind, keeping only Pierce and refusing to take the other children back without any explanation whatever. His plans are to send them to an orphanage, but Bridgie asks if she can find new homes for them.
Mary remains with her great-aunt, but the next year, with the help of Bridgie's brother Liam Clancy who lives and works in England, Colm is sent to live with the family of Liam's wealthy employer Edward Sinclair in London, and the two younger children are placed with the Porters, who are friends of the Sinclairs and live in Bristol, although Mr. Porter takes a dislike to Michael and farms him out to his unmarried sister Wyn. And both English families seek to remove all Irish influences from the three children's lives. The rest of the book covers the next thirteen years, including the death of Aunt Bridgie, Mary's marriage to Joe Daly, and finally Brendan's death in 1938. Will the five children be separated forever? And will they ever learn why their father abandoned them? The book is based on an actual event. Author Ann O'Farrell wrote, "This story has been waiting a long time to be told. Norah's Children is a novel which has, at its heart, a truth. There was a Norah, though I'm not sure that she even spelled her name that way. Norah did have five children, and five different families ultimately took in those children. What those families were like, or how those children were actually reared, I do not know."
I found this book to contain a compelling story that easily kept my attention. Since this is a review site primarily for children's literature, parents may want to know a few things. First, there are several references to drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco, which were undoubtedly quite common among Irish people during the era under consideration. Also, there is a fair amount of language issues--the "d" and "h" words are used, the Lord's name is occasionally taken in vain, sometimes using Irish colloquialisms such as "begod" or "Jaysus," and some terms which many might consider vulgar for urination, a woman of disreputable character, and a child of questionable parentage, are found--not enough to say that it is pervasive, but enough that it is noticeable and some parents would like to be aware. Again, these kinds of things may well be typical of the time and place in which the novel is set. Finally, "mature" situations are discussed briefly, such as Brendan and Norah's "lovemaking that was often too hastily concluded" and the fact that Colm later gets a girl pregnant. However, someone interested in reading about life in Ireland in the early 1900s should find the book quite interesting. There is a sequel, Michael.

I took this book begrudgingly at the request of my mother-in-law, for this is a type of book I would not normally pick up. I have thanked her since. I couldn't have enjoyed a story more. The division of these children just breaks your heart and their evolution into such different people is fascinating. Mary, the eldest girl, is the glue that binds this family after their mother's tragic death by writing to her siblings about their hometown; trying to keep their roots alive. Her hatred for her father is well-founded after he decides to give them up (after encountering the new wife, it is somewhat clear of why, but still not acceptable)...This book was impossible to put down, unless I had to run to get a Kleenex. Yes, it is that moving. The author's voice is real and adamant, the story flowed effortlessly...a tremendous work!

I enjoyed the writing style and felt I learned much about Irish culture. I read it quickly and look forward to her next book.

This novel examines an elemental truth---the unity of family love. It is well written and sensitive and the author presents the Irish experience with understanding and deep sympathy. I hope Ann O'Farrell writes many more books. She is good.
Mary T. Dresser author of TWILIGHT OF GRANDEUR