Customer Reviews

A Proper Place

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

 

 

Author Joan Lingard continues her wonderful Sadie and Kevin Saga with a well written follow up. In this story Kevin and Sadie have been married for over two years and have an infant. They are living in Liverpool but the problems of Northern Ireland still haunt them across the Irish Sea.

Sadie's mother comes for a visit and instantly there is tension between Sadie and her mother, Mrs. Jackson who is a staunch Protestant. She is still upset about Sadie's marriage to Kevin, an Irish Catholic boy also from Belfast and she shares her opinion quickly and often. Sadie struggles between holding her tongue and defending her husband.

Sadie and Kevin are struggling financially and this takes a toll on their relationship. The real life struggles of every day living is well written in these passages as Sadie desires a better life for her family and Kevin desperately wants to provide for more than the basics.

Also adding to the stress of this young family is Kevin's wayward brother Gerald, introduced in previous novels. This is a young man suffering from the aftermath of violence and post traumatic stress. His experiences in Belfast have shaped him into a prejudiced, angry young man which is trying for both Sadie and Kevin. The author does a splendid job of showing the transformation of a sullen boy to a mature young man albeit there are plenty of bumps along the way.

Consistently throughout this series Sadie has been a feisty, courageous young woman and this book is no exception. She is not afraid to speak her mind even to her own mother. Kevin is still the kind, thoughtful man he has always been. He is patient with Sadie but realizes he has a temper boiling just under the surface when it comes to his prodigal younger brother.

This is the fourth book in the Kevin and Sadie series and although it does not have the drama of the earlier books. The central theme of tolerance and unconditional love come shining through.

This series has consistently high standards. In this book Kevin and Sadie are still struggling, and they now have a baby to look after aswell. On top of this Kevin's brother is soon living with them, which is a bain for Sadie, as he has always been very republican. This book shows Kevin and Sadie striving for a better life.