A compelling story of rebellion, survival, and the perseverance of Irish culture.
In this historical novel, Kelly tells a story of Irish oppression during the Industrial Revolution.
The story begins in 1864 in Dublin, Ireland, with Superintendent Ryan discovering someone going through the files of the Dublin Metropolitan Police. The snoop turns out to be John Mallon, an up-and-coming detective who is investigating the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). The narrative focuses the Fenian movement and its fight against English oppression, which fails; among the rebels is William Kelly. Despite its failure, the Rising strengthens the Irish Nationalist cause. The story focuses on young John Kelly, a relative of William Kelly, who is fascinated by the machinery at Donaghy’s Mill Shoe Factory. John develops a talent for repairing complex machines, which sets him apart—he becomes a sought-after “Mr. Fix-it” and earns respect among his peers. Meanwhile, William Kelly is served a court summons, causing John to reflect on the barriers faced by Irish workers, including restricted access to bank loans and business opportunities. His idea of an “Irish Bank” emerges—a vision of economic independence to challenge the English-controlled financial system. He later proposes this idea to Red, a member of the IRB, who introduces John to Samuel Leary, a New York investment banker, and Clint O’Hanna from Clan na Gael, an American organization supporting Irish nationalism. He also reconnects with childhood friend, Margaret. Their partnership is portrayed as both romantic and pragmatic, with shared dreams of building a future together. This sparks interest in emigration to America, where opportunities for someone with John’s skills may be more accessible. He uses his connections with the IRB to evade British forces as he and Margaret sneak onto a ship headed for America. When they arrive in Philadelphia, they begin to carve out a new life together as John further develops his mechanical skills to become a respected member of his community and Margaret demonstrates her own resourcefulness and adaptability. John is able to impress factory owner Mr. McCormack, and this interaction highlights the opportunities for skilled workers in America—as well as a source of labor exploitation.
Kelly effectively conveys the story of Irish oppression during the period using the life of John Kelly as the vehicle. While the focus is on the larger political themes of the era, chapters that focus on John Kelly’s life events, such as his and Margaret’s wedding day, put the narrative of his personal life at the forefront. The author highlights the stakes of the loss of Irish culture by referencing Irish traditions: “Take the salt, put some on your tongue, then eat your oatmeal. It will ward off evil spirits. I had a neighbor boy take a bowl and shaker to John. It only works if you both do it at the same time.” While Kelly goes into great detail describing John using his mechanical prowess to repair factory machines, this can sometimes slow the pace of the story. Happily, these are contrasted by other exciting scenes, such as when William Kelly is summoned to a lineup or when John Kelly is making his way to the small barge boat that will take him to Philadelphia. This section in particular creates great tension for readers as the narration is repeatedly interrupted by his anxious thoughts.
A compelling story of rebellion, survival, and the perseverance of Irish culture.Pub Date: Nov. 15, 2024
ISBN: 9798393819446
Page Count: 380
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: Jan. 6, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
An affecting portrait of a prickly woman.
A lifetime’s worth of letters combine to portray a singular character.
Sybil Van Antwerp, a cantankerous but exceedingly well-mannered septuagenarian, is the titular correspondent in Evans’ debut novel. Sybil has retired from a beloved job as chief clerk to a judge with whom she had previously been in private legal practice. She is the divorced mother of two living adult children and one who died when he was 8. She is a reader of novels, a gardener, and a keen observer of human nature. But the most distinguishing thing about Sybil is her lifelong practice of letter writing. As advancing vision problems threaten Sybil’s carefully constructed way of life—in which letters take the place of personal contact and engagement—she must reckon with unaddressed issues from her past that threaten the house of cards (letters, really) she has built around herself. Sybil’s relationships are gradually revealed in the series of letters sent to and received from, among others, her brother, sister-in-law, children, former work associates, and, intriguingly, literary icons including Joan Didion and Larry McMurtry. Perhaps most affecting is the series of missives Sybil writes but never mails to a shadowy figure from her past. Thoughtful musings on the value and immortal quality of letters and the written word populate one of Sybil’s notes to a young correspondent while other messages are laugh-out-loud funny, tinged with her characteristic blunt tartness. Evans has created a brusque and quirky yet endearing main character with no shortage of opinions and advice for others but who fails to excavate the knotty difficulties of her own life. As Sybil grows into a delayed self-awareness, her letters serve as a chronicle of fitful growth.
An affecting portrait of a prickly woman.Pub Date: May 6, 2025
ISBN: 9780593798430
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2025
A dark and twisty look at just how far one woman is willing to go to find inspiration.
A struggling writer finds an unexpected muse when a mysterious man shows up at her cabin.
Petra Rose used to pump out a bestselling book every six months, but then the adaptation happened—that is, the disastrous film adaptation of her most famous book. The movie changed the book’s storyline so egregiously that fans couldn’t forgive her, and the ensuing harassment sent Petra into hiding and gave her a serious case of writer’s block. Petra’s one hope is her solo writing retreat at a remote cabin, where she can escape the distractions of real life and focus on her next book, a story about a woman having an affair with a cop. When officer Nathaniel Saint shows up at her cabin door, inspiration comes flooding back. Much like the character from Petra’s book, Saint is married, and he’s willing to be Petra’s muse, helping her get into her characters’ heads. Petra’s book is practically writing itself, but is the game she’s playing a little too dangerous? Does she know when to stop—and, more importantly, is Saint willing to stop? Hoover is no stranger to controversial movie adaptations and internet backlash, but she clarifies in a note to readers that she’s “just a writer writing about a writer” and that no further connections to her own life are contained in these pages—which is a good thing, because the book takes some horrifying twists and turns. Petra finds herself inexplicably attracted to Saint, even as she describes him as “such an asshole,” and her feelings for him veer between love and hate. The novel serves as a meta commentary on the dark romance genre—as Petra puts it, “Even though, as readers, we wouldn’t want to live out some of the fantasies we read about, it doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy reading those things.”
A dark and twisty look at just how far one woman is willing to go to find inspiration.Pub Date: Jan. 13, 2026
ISBN: 9781662539374
Page Count: -
Publisher: Montlake
Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2025
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