Customer Reviews

Room for a Single Lady Hb

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I bought ROOM FOR A SINGLE LADY in a downtown Dublin bookstore for my "airplane read" back to the United States. It was a great choice and marvelous entertainment. It is a tale of family survival, both financial and social in depressed 1950's Ireland. Oh no, not another tale of making it through the Irish childhood and adolescence. Well there is always room for one more for us grandchildren of the old sod and this one had a bit more laghter than tears. To improve dwindling monetary circustances the Rafferty's of Dublin decide to take in a border--a genteel single lady who not only can contribute to the family's finances but can introduce their three daughters to some of society's better refinements. The border concept turns into a revolving door of various lovable, wacky, entertaining characters who bring great change and insight to the entire Rafferty family. From serious, sad Selena with her caring ways, to glamorous, trashy Sissy, to Ruth, the Communist, and Minnie Mankivitz, frugal and sensible, yet blind when it comes to men, the Rafferty's lives wind through complex delightful dramas! Seen through the eyes of Rose, the youngest daughter, ROOM FOR A SINGLE LADY details the effects of sharing one's home with strangers, and how one family grew thanks to the laughter, tears, anger, and wacky fun that resulted from letting out the spare room to these most bizarre group of women. This tale is not as dramatic as ANGELA'S ASHES or as angry as A STAR NAMED HENRY but is a delightful and entertaining saga of some uproarious days in the life of an Irish family!