The Ways of Women [Hardcover]

Elaine Crowley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1993

Capturing the courage, humour and tragedy of between-wars Dublin, this explores, through two women, the legacy that love, ambition and circumstance contributed to two troubled decades in Ireland's history.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The end of World War I reunites Jack Harte and his best friend, Barney Daly, with the women who have been awaiting their return in Dublin, but the reunion is marred by Barney's girlfriend, Sarah, the foursome's weakest link. Her ambition drives her beyond their circle, and her eventual return engulfs them all in a cycle of destruction. "Who really knows the ways of women?" Certainly Crowley does, and the Irish author has used her understanding of human nature to fill this novel with memorable characters entangled in the twin webs of passion and fate. A powerful storyteller, she creates a rich tale of love and betrayal in troubled times. Highly recommended for public library collections.
- Sister M. Anna Falbo CSSF, Villa Maria Coll. Lib., Buffalo,
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Between the two world wars, Dublin was a bubbling cauldron of deceit, betrayal, and warring factions. Rosie Quinlan and her daughter, Sarah, are locked in combat because Rosie disapproves of her daughter's engagement to Barney, just home from the war. Barney's wartime buddy, Jack, is dragged from his home by the Black and Tans and later killed by them. Although the tragic events in this stirring novel concern a troubled city, most of the book speaks of women's experience through the interwar years--mother to mother, mother to daughter, and friend to friend. Crowley infuses the story with great tension, at times managing to let some love and hope shine through these tangled lives. Theresa Ducato

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 460 pages
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square (December 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857970144
• ISBN-13: 978-1857970142
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,632,555 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A moving saga, July 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Ways of Women Pb (Mass Market Paperback)

This wonderful story captures the grittiness of Frank McCourt's Dublin as well as the sweetness of Maeve Binchy's family tales. I could not put the book down, The characters are convincing and grow as the story unfolds. The author also offers much Irish history. A great summer read!