- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Hodder Children's Books (17 Mar 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0340881798
- ISBN-13: 978-0340881798
- Product Dimensions: 19 x 13 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 562,865 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
'This warm and enchanting story of cousins growing up in Ireland during the war is going to become a classic.' (The Daily Express 20050307)
'One of the most powerful books I have read in a long time . . . This is a magnificent portrayal of a very real part of Ireland's history.' (The Bookseller 20050307)
Daisy Chain War:
'A wonderful book about growing up ... beautifully written in prose that is warm as a sunset on a hot summer's day.' (The Guardian )
This is an impotant, believably written account of a sad chapter from recent history. It shows how the fictional narrative can do far better than media presentations in portraying the ugly reality of the social and sexual attitudes of the recent past. (The Bookseller )
With Fallen Star Joan O'Neill brings all her trademark humour, warmth and insight to a subject close to her heart. (youngscot.org )
This is a poignant novel for confident, older readers, but one which is ultimately uplifting. (Norwich Evening News )
'One of the most powerful books I have read in a long time . . . This is a magnificent portrayal of a very real part of Ireland's history.' (The Bookseller 20050307)
Daisy Chain War:
'A wonderful book about growing up ... beautifully written in prose that is warm as a sunset on a hot summer's day.' (The Guardian )
This is an impotant, believably written account of a sad chapter from recent history. It shows how the fictional narrative can do far better than media presentations in portraying the ugly reality of the social and sexual attitudes of the recent past. (The Bookseller )
With Fallen Star Joan O'Neill brings all her trademark humour, warmth and insight to a subject close to her heart. (youngscot.org )
This is a poignant novel for confident, older readers, but one which is ultimately uplifting. (Norwich Evening News )
'... vividly described, and well-rounded characters keep the reader's interest until the last page.'
(Bookfest )Product Description
In 1950s Ireland, Sixteen year old Stella's innocent childhood is shattered when charismatic Charlie comes into her life. Where Stella's family struggle to make ends meet, Charlie can have anything he wants, and that includes Stella, who is rapidly falling for him. Then Stella discovers she is pregnant. Suddenly Charlie is gone, and Stella is left with only the bracelet he gave her. Stella's devoutly religious mother, horrifed by the scandal, sends her errant daughter to a Magdalene Laundry convent, miles from home, where in return for daily and rigorous and endless chores, Stella will be able to have her baby in secret. The convent is bleak and austere, the nuns themselves cruel and lacking compassion. When Stella's baby girl is born, it will be taken from her for adoption, the only answer is to run away with her child. But Stella didn't expect the struggle and pain of being a single mother - with her family turning against her, who can she rely on for help. Out of the blue, comes support and love from an unexpected quarter, to finally make Stella's story a happy one. (20020701)
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First Sentence
It was a Saturday afternoon and half an hour to closing time at the Coffee Pot, where I worked with my cousin Irene, the boss. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
It was a Saturday afternoon and half an hour to closing time at the Coffee Pot, where I worked with my cousin Irene, the boss. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
We are a school reading group of girlds aged 13-15. One of us recommended the book amd all of us, including our teacher (who will not give her age) enjoyed it. It took you back in time to 1959, with well-researched references to the music of the period and other historical markers. It gave a vivid flavour of life in Ireland at that time and of the scoial disapproval vented on school-age girls who became pregnant outside of marriage. It was interesting to read about the Magdalene Laundries, because some of us hadn't known about them. It acted as a warning about the perils of pregnancy; even though we are supposed to live in a more liberal age attitudes towards single mothers are often intolerant. We also felt that the boy involved was regarded with some sympathy, since he desperately wanted to be free of ties. But this did raise the issue of different expectations and treatment of the sexes in such a case. One of us felt that the ending was a little too good to be true and that Joan O'Neil had not described in sufficient detail the hard work and sleepless nights in looking after a baby. On the whole, though, we found this book a real page-turner and relevant to the lives of teenage girls today.
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