Customer Reviews

'Til Morning Light (Fiction for the Way We Live)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having thoroughly enjoyed the first two entries (Gracelin O'Malley and Leaving Ireland) I was eagerly anticipating the finale, yet fearful that the magic Anne Moore had created in the first two could not be sustained. Thankfully, I was wrong and, in fact, I felt this was the best of the series.

The story picks up four years after the second book and our strong-willed, dedicated heroine has left New York and journeyed to San Francisco to wed Captain Peter Reinders and secure a future for her children. John Paul Morgan McDonagh (now known as Jack), the son she thought had died, has been returned to her, and with him and daughter Mary Kate she arrives in San Francisco. Mary Kate's illness leads them to a hospital where they meet Doctor Wakefield, a man who will change the lives of all of them as will Gracelin change his.

Their story is riveting and filled with love, loss, redemption and best of all, a happy ending. The three major characters from the previous novels---Gracelin, Sean, and Morgan---each have a story to tell, an adventure to follow, and the reader is breathless as the characters lead lives of quiet desperation, struggling to find each other in the New World.

Set in the 1800's, just before the outbreak of the American Civil War, slavery is an issue as Gracelin uncovers a long-hidden past and in her own spirited way, sets things right again. Not only slavery, but Chinese culture, a blossoming San Francisco built on the hopes of gold diggers, and the plight of the American Indians are all covered and woven into the tapestry of Gracelin's life.

Anne Moore has given us unforgettable characters, historical events with a personal face, and a story that will not be soon forgotten. For fans of the indomitable Gracelin O'Malley, this is the fitting end to the story of a remarkable woman.

If you have read Gracelin O'Malley and Leaving Ireland ~~ you will definitely enjoy this one. In some ways, it's the best written novel of the three ~~ the characters have matured and Ann Moore focused more on describing the times and travels of the time period. It is also perhaps more lyrically written than the other two ~~ it is a wonderful ending to a series ~~ makes you long for more!

This time, Gracelin O'Malley and her children, Mary Kate and Jack (her son who she thought had died only to discover that Julia Martin has taken care of till he was returned to her arms) ~~ have ended up in California to meet Captain Reinders, to accept his marriage proposal. Only thing was, he wasn't there and fortunately for Gracelin, she was able to find work as a cook at a doctor's house. She had traveled over the country, looking for her brother, Sean in Utah, and when they finally landed in California ~~ Mary Kate was seriously ill (which is how they met the doctor who offered Gracelin a job).

This time, the story also tells of Morgan, who did manage to escape from prison only to have four years wrested from him due to mishaps and errors. This novel tells of his story and his experiences in the new America. And this novel also tells the story of Sean O'Malley ~~ the fiery wordsmith who feverently believed in freedom and equality for all men ~~ and was banned from Ireland. This is his story too.

This is a wonderful book that captures the most favorite of all three of the strong characters that have lived through all three books. It combines their tales and dreams and despair ~~ as a reflection of the times they were living in. It also told tales of Mary Kate and Jack ~~ the future generation that Morgan, Grace and Sean have fought for. And while the stories are entwined, once again, the main character is the strong and formidable woman of courage, Gracelin. She is awe-inspiring and breath-taking ~~ defining the meaning of "woman" in all its glory. She is also a reflection of all those pioneer women who have struggled to come to this land to build a home for their families and loved ones. She reflects all of those dreams that women have dreamt of over the centuries. She is Americana herself.

If you've read the other two ~~ even if you haven't ~~ this book is definitely not one that you shouldn't pass up on. It may be stories about a few people ~~ but it's about every people. It's about America at its best and at its worst. It's about your ancestors and mine. Ann Moore has captured the feelings and dreams so wonderfully that it is as if you're right there with them. It's just hard to pass up a wonderful talent like this ~~ so grab this book, a box of kleenexs and settle back for a breath-taking journey.

3-7-05

This final book is gripping. I shed not a few tears towards the end. I can't remember the last time I looked forward to reading a book as much as I did this one. Gracelin O'Malley is a stunning character who faces life's tragedies with magnificent courage and she leaves those who have met her astounded time and time again.

Once again Ann Moore shows her brilliance. I was worried that this final book in the Gracelin O'Malley trilogy would not give justice to the story that unfolded in the first two books.

The only problem I had with this book was that the story did not pick up where 'Leaving Ireland' ended. Grace has traveled across America and has been living with her son, Jack, for two years now. I would have liked to read about their journey and about Grace's reunion with her son. However this was only a minor dissapointment.

Once again I found myself completely immersed in the story of Grace, of her brother Sean, and all the other beautifully developed characters, new and old. Mrs. Moore does an incredible job of creating emotion and really bringing a story to life. I could easily picture all the events that took place.

I will not give away any of the plot except to say that there is a happy ending. Thank god. If ever a woman deserved happiness, it is Gracelin O'Malley.

I highly recommend 'Gracelin O'Malley', 'Leaving Ireland', and 'Till Morning Light'.

Oh how sad I was to close this book! This is the last in the Gracelin O'Malley series, as hard as that was to accept. :-)
It follows Gracelin and her family as they travel through America to finally settle in San Francisco. It is chock full of surprises and will not disappoint. It is a must read. As I said in previous reviews, I have already purchased 5 copies of the books to give to friends and relatives. Excellent book!

I can't wait to read this! I looked everywhere for this book and I am grateful to be able to finish this Irish tale series by a great author. I wish she would write more!

I loved this book and the whole series. I wish she would continue it. As an Irish American I found it enlightening about Ireland's history and heart of the Irish people. The book was well written, absorbing and held my interest throughout. I recommend this series highly.

I loved all of the three novels in this series. 'Til Morning Light culminates in Grace and her children arriving in San Francisco to find Captain Reinders but they learn that he is still at sea. Unknown to them the Captain is ill with malaria and far from home. The story continues with friends that Grace makes in her new home as she waits for the arrival of Captain Reinders. There are alot of suprises and some very happy endings with this last in the triology. Read the entire series starting with the first book, Gracelin O'Malley. The history of the Irish immigration to the United States is fascinating.

I loved the book so much that I didnt realize that there were previous books. So I read the first 2 and loved them so much. Made me wonder if this book was the 4th book becuz there was a gap between arriving to San Francisco from Boston. I felt that there should have been a 3rd book to describe her travels as all her books has done. But other than that, I just loved the series. But if Ann Moore does decide to put in the 3rd book... I will rush to buy it.

First off, it had been so long since I had read the first two books, that I had to skim through the second to get the story straight in my mind again.

I could have done without a lot of the Sean storyline, but otherwise I was so pleased with the conclusion. I actually cheered out loud when...well, if you've read the book, I think you all know when!

This book truly was a wonderful ending to the Gracelin O'Malley series. It brings everything together so nicely after so much loss and hardship throughout the other books. I believe any Irish American can appreciate the story told in these books and I would reccomend it to anyone!