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on May 21, 2017
Oh my, what an enjoyable book. I won't give a synopsis of the story, it has been done in previous reviews. If you're looking for a really well told story that draws you in and won't let go, a story told without overt sex scenes, foul language or editing issues - then this is a book you must read. If you're looking for a thriller, chiller, mystery, suspense, voyeurism or science fiction, then this is NOT the book for you.
~~~
From the beginning, you will find yourself among a small tour group of diverse travelers on a tour through the gorgeous Irish country side. The concept provides the background for the reader to become part of the action. The descriptions of each character and their personality was clearly done and their stories intermingle with authenticity. I felt like I was truly along for the ride and could easily picture each traveler and their situation. This is one of the rare books that you keep reading 'just one more page or chapter' even after you've promised yourself you had to stop and get some sleep. I didn't want this tour to end, I wanted it to go on and on. The end came all too soon, however, not because of the length of the book but rather because I just hated for it to end. I highly recommend this book. 5 stars and a hurrah the shout out to the author.
~~~
From the beginning, you will find yourself among a small tour group of diverse travelers on a tour through the gorgeous Irish country side. The concept provides the background for the reader to become part of the action. The descriptions of each character and their personality was clearly done and their stories intermingle with authenticity. I felt like I was truly along for the ride and could easily picture each traveler and their situation. This is one of the rare books that you keep reading 'just one more page or chapter' even after you've promised yourself you had to stop and get some sleep. I didn't want this tour to end, I wanted it to go on and on. The end came all too soon, however, not because of the length of the book but rather because I just hated for it to end. I highly recommend this book. 5 stars and a hurrah the shout out to the author.
on May 31, 2016
I read "The Tour" for two reasons: 1. We were on a bus tour of Ireland 2 years ago, loved it and I had hoped that this book would take me back to our wonderful trip. 2. I am a tour director with a motor coach company in the New Jersey area and had to compare my trips with Conor's. Actually, there is a third reason ; a friend just finished it and recommended it....always a good reason.
So, did it fulfill my hopes? Maybe, a little. At first I thought the characters a bit too formulae, but as I got into it, I realized that was so true. The passengers were a really mixed bag of personalities; typical of our trips. I enjoyed seeing the interaction of the passengers with each other and Conor. He had the right amount of friendliness and concern, without "playing favorites" or getting too close to any of them. I really did want the book to continue to find out what happened with everyone, since they, obviously, all had a story to continue.
The itinerary itself was not too clear since they seemed to bounce around and not really "flow" from place to place, however it allowed the passengers to have their own stories within the main story.
One thing that I found confusing was the use of Irish names and words, which did add colour, but didn't have adequate pronunciation or definition. Some of the names were spelled in the Irish and then given the pronunciation, but not all. And going from the Irish spelling ie: Siobha'n to the pronunciation "Shove on" wasn't carried through the entire story. That caused me to get hung up on more than one occasion. I was familiar with some of the Irish words only because our tour guide in Ireland, told us what they meant.
Overall, it was a good story with a nice ending and if Conor had another trip in another book, or these characters had more adventures, I'd read it.
So, did it fulfill my hopes? Maybe, a little. At first I thought the characters a bit too formulae, but as I got into it, I realized that was so true. The passengers were a really mixed bag of personalities; typical of our trips. I enjoyed seeing the interaction of the passengers with each other and Conor. He had the right amount of friendliness and concern, without "playing favorites" or getting too close to any of them. I really did want the book to continue to find out what happened with everyone, since they, obviously, all had a story to continue.
The itinerary itself was not too clear since they seemed to bounce around and not really "flow" from place to place, however it allowed the passengers to have their own stories within the main story.
One thing that I found confusing was the use of Irish names and words, which did add colour, but didn't have adequate pronunciation or definition. Some of the names were spelled in the Irish and then given the pronunciation, but not all. And going from the Irish spelling ie: Siobha'n to the pronunciation "Shove on" wasn't carried through the entire story. That caused me to get hung up on more than one occasion. I was familiar with some of the Irish words only because our tour guide in Ireland, told us what they meant.
Overall, it was a good story with a nice ending and if Conor had another trip in another book, or these characters had more adventures, I'd read it.
VINE VOICEon September 13, 2014
I remember the 80's not because of Disco but for the TV shows. Miami Vice was one and the Love Boat was another. Remember every cruise on the Love Boat had a group of people looking for something and the warm heart crew would help them find it. Well this is was we have here, an Irish Love Boat on wheels. There is nothing new here and the reader can predict what will happen, plus everything get wrapped up in a nice bow at the end. In short this is gentle kind story with a large dose of Irish lore. A nice slow comfortable read, just like a Hallmark movie from the Hallmark channel.
For me this was a change of pace novel. One to cleanse my reading palate. The only thing that bothered me somewhat was the way this Irish writer[?] wrote the dialogue for the Americans. Every now then she would lapse and use phrases that were not American, but the novel was so sweet that I forgot about these lapses. All in all a quaint and cozy novel.
For me this was a change of pace novel. One to cleanse my reading palate. The only thing that bothered me somewhat was the way this Irish writer[?] wrote the dialogue for the Americans. Every now then she would lapse and use phrases that were not American, but the novel was so sweet that I forgot about these lapses. All in all a quaint and cozy novel.
on February 15, 2013
When I got towards the end of this book, I found myself deliberately slowing down because I just did not want to finish it. When I did reach the end, I got that feeling you only have after a truly great book where you have a little sigh and feel a little sad like you have just said goodbye to a friend. This is good old fashioned story telling, in the truest sense, with plenty of humour along the way...I can't recommend it highly enough to any lover of fiction.
on June 28, 2017
The Tour – such a simple name for such a profoundly rewarding book! The story initially centers on Conor, the experienced, skillful tour guide. It branches out to each of the tourists in the group, telling what dramatic, very personal events change their lives during this one short week’s vacation. Ireland enchants and claims a few of them.
Jean Grainger writes from the heart, recalling memories and people she weaves into her stories in unforgettable ways. Ireland and its citizens come alive in this tale—breathing, reacting, almost touchable—and grab the reader’s imagination while moving in to claim space in our lives. They don’t have to pay rent because they will always be welcome home.
Jean Grainger writes from the heart, recalling memories and people she weaves into her stories in unforgettable ways. Ireland and its citizens come alive in this tale—breathing, reacting, almost touchable—and grab the reader’s imagination while moving in to claim space in our lives. They don’t have to pay rent because they will always be welcome home.
on June 4, 2017
Fun little romp of a small group of tourists in scenic Ireland led by seasoned guide Conor O'Shea. He has a very diverse group, each with their own special reasons for joining the trip, and at times conflicting personalities. Conor manages to quash most problems and personally gets involved in one lady's quest to find relatives (which I am quite sure must happen rather frequently). The mixed bag includes a sullen teenager with his mother, brow-beatened wife to narcissist husband, senior lady looking for family, female friends one of whom is a nasty bully, an Irish Boston cop looking for the "real" Irish, and another older male (and I won't give his secret away). It's only a week--how much trouble can they get into? Plenty! May have to suspend some disbelief that personalities could change to that extent in a week, but somehow the perfect solutions to each dilemma manages to manifest itself. Throw in Conor's serious little side-problem and it's a book that compels interest and flows right smartly along. I stumbled over a few of the Irish or Celtic names--but did enjoy the little Irish countryside descriptions and history. Recommended as an easy, fast, and clean read.
on January 13, 2017
Available Kindle Unlimited although I just have gotten it in a giveaway or one of my free books sites.
The blurb says A charming Irish bus driver. A group of disparate American tourists. One life changing week. Take a tour you’ll never forget as you navigate the stunning vistas of gorgeous Ireland along with the hearts and minds of a cast of characters who will live with you, long after you’ve finished the last page. During a routine tour of Ireland, tour guide Conor O’Shea finds himself on a journey of his own through the lives of his hilarious companions as together they navigate both the Irish countryside and the secrets of their individual lives.
A Wall Street banker, a divorcee, a musician, a cop, and a professor all enter Ireland with something on their minds, and throughout their journey with Conor as their guide, they each begin to show something of themselves against the spectacular backdrop of Ireland.
EXCEPT it was more chick lit type 'romance' than scenery, not much mention of that, and the terms used by both the American and others were not suited for them {terms used in America are not necessarily the ones used by the English or the Irish, etc}. Since the whole story was supposed to be wrapped around the tour/trip through Ireland would have been really 'nice' to have including more about that and the stops/scenery and not so much of the American type Dallas {tv show} or Dynasty {tv show} Housewives of {insert one of a dozen tv shows} with a smattering of 90210 angst. Then different endings and people were wrapped up too easily.
The Tour: A Trip Through Ireland
Safe at the Edge of the World: Sequel to The Tour
The blurb says A charming Irish bus driver. A group of disparate American tourists. One life changing week. Take a tour you’ll never forget as you navigate the stunning vistas of gorgeous Ireland along with the hearts and minds of a cast of characters who will live with you, long after you’ve finished the last page. During a routine tour of Ireland, tour guide Conor O’Shea finds himself on a journey of his own through the lives of his hilarious companions as together they navigate both the Irish countryside and the secrets of their individual lives.
A Wall Street banker, a divorcee, a musician, a cop, and a professor all enter Ireland with something on their minds, and throughout their journey with Conor as their guide, they each begin to show something of themselves against the spectacular backdrop of Ireland.
EXCEPT it was more chick lit type 'romance' than scenery, not much mention of that, and the terms used by both the American and others were not suited for them {terms used in America are not necessarily the ones used by the English or the Irish, etc}. Since the whole story was supposed to be wrapped around the tour/trip through Ireland would have been really 'nice' to have including more about that and the stops/scenery and not so much of the American type Dallas {tv show} or Dynasty {tv show} Housewives of {insert one of a dozen tv shows} with a smattering of 90210 angst. Then different endings and people were wrapped up too easily.
The Tour: A Trip Through Ireland
Safe at the Edge of the World: Sequel to The Tour
on October 10, 2016
The story rotates around the individual lives of Americans who had booked a tour to Ireland. A couple were seasoned travelers, a mother and son, a widow, a married couple, a spinster academic, a Boston policeman and one other gentleman in addition to the tour operator, Conor O'Shea.
While this reader has never been on such a tour,, Ms Grainger did a very good job at making the reader feel they were part of this tour. The interactions, the drama, the various emotions of the characters. The reader is very likely to laugh out loud a time or two just as easily as feeling tears from learning of a past.
I am part Irish and I would love to be able to go to Ireland, but for now, this book was a complete joy to read.
While this reader has never been on such a tour,, Ms Grainger did a very good job at making the reader feel they were part of this tour. The interactions, the drama, the various emotions of the characters. The reader is very likely to laugh out loud a time or two just as easily as feeling tears from learning of a past.
I am part Irish and I would love to be able to go to Ireland, but for now, this book was a complete joy to read.
on November 21, 2016
Conor O'Shea is a tour guide for a group of American citizens come to Ireland for a pleasant trip, but there are also various other reasons. Each person has personal issues that all wind up being involved in in one way or another. I liked the way the people interacted with each other, and there is a fair amount of humor in the story.
My only real wish was that they had spent a bit more time on the history of Ireland, as well as a bit of a written tour on the places that the tour stopped at, such as at the Blarney Stone. Otherwise, it was a nice read.
My only real wish was that they had spent a bit more time on the history of Ireland, as well as a bit of a written tour on the places that the tour stopped at, such as at the Blarney Stone. Otherwise, it was a nice read.
