Friday, June 19, 2015

Gracelin O'Malley

As I was reading this book I couldn't put my finger on it. The actions of the characters Bram, and Grace with each other made me think that I read something like this before. Than I thought Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and Withering Heights by Emily Bronte. Grace married Bram who was controlling, distant just down right mean. A twisted soul. In this case Bram was a pig of an Englishman. Just as Rebecca, and Cathy of Withering Heights were strong in some way. Grace like the name sake  Grace O'Malley Pirate Queen of Ireland, was strong. Stuck up for herself, kind to others, helping as much as she could with the sickness that had spread on Ireland, her country.

I thought the story was well written. But it was long winded. Some things weren't necessary to write on. It was self explanatory. Which made it for me a very long story. Me reading the story never changed my perception of the famine in 1845. I did know that Ireland's people did have trouble with their potato crops. If the author was writing the truth about some actually growing other vegetables, than I didn't know of that.But fever,being sick in that time for me was well known.
Grace was bought in marriage just as the daughters were made to live and work on farms, etc and send back money to the family. And sons were kept to work on their own land. It's just the way of life back than.

Toward the end Grace has lost almost everyone in her life. Her babies,grandmother,two husbands. One of which Morgan who loved her all her life but was short lived. I think what prepared her to survive was the will to live. The will to be with her family brother,father, grandmother,her child Mary Kate that lived, also her son that was surviving to live himself. A product of Morgan and Grace's love for each other. And deep down Morgan, I think Grace survived because she thought of the good Ireland would be after the fighting and sickness was gone.
I think the spirits of some people are resilient is because their purpose in life didn't happen yet. Their dreams is to make that happen. Live for their family to make it better. But spirits are also defeated too. I believe they feel broken. They feel there is no opportunity for them to get a head. And feel unloved. There is no purpose.

Grace had to leave her son behind with her father until both get stronger. As she headed to the New World I think it was a good idea this way she can get set up and have some kind of home for them all when they come. It would really take a lot for me if the situation was turned around. I know I couldn't do it. Something extra special would have to be put on the table for me to change my mind to leave my child.
Faith had to do with alot of Grace's character as well as her Granny,brother and Morgan. Her brother Sean and Morgan had faith indeed to fight against the enemy without a army.

This story doesn't affect me too much on my views of the current struggles of Northern Ireland. First what Sean and Morgan were fighting for in the Young Irelanders is true in some ways of today. Change laws that give no power over own destinies. Today some Irelanders do want to stay under the English flag. And that rubs others the wrong way. My relatives live in Northern Ireland and say there are people coming over to seek shelter and employment because their country isn't going to well. There will always be animosity toward the politics One will never find peace. The wheel will just turn. And they will have to make the best out of it of what they have.

I give Gracelin O'Malley 4 


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Just because it was a long story