The first book was enchanting because it told the story of a poor Irish girl in a simple style and child-like prose. The style and content were one. It was charming and moving. The problem with the sequel is that the story is now about Evelyn's teenage and adult years. The child-like prose doesn't carry the story. The simple style seems trite and becomes wearisome. It gives the impression that the storyteller is unable to cope with the darker passions, complex themes and shadowy relationships that come with maturity. Doyle's story is still interesting, and her memoir sheds light on the whole period of the 1960s and onward, but the sequel is not as winning as the original simply because it's harder to care as much for this troubled teen and adult as it was for the little Irish girl of the original book. --Dwight Longenecker --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
Nothing Green is the sequel to Evelyn Doyle's bestselling memoir. After the heady days of the trial which released her from the care of the State Industrial Schools and succeeded in changing the law, Evelyn went straight back to the grinding poverty that was the lot of many in the run down parts of Dublin in the 1950s. Her stepmother Jessie turns on Evelyn, whilst looking after her brothers well. They battle it out, Jessie leaves her father temporarily. When she returns, she's even more difficult with Evelyn. Evelyn runs away from home but is dragged back only to run away again, eventually ending up in Yorkshire at 17 with no money and no prospects. She meets a man much older than her, hoping she has at last found happiness. But, of course, she has not. Eventually Evelyn learns of the death of her father. The story ends with Evelyn pregnant, living on the Scottish island of Islay when she gets a call from Jessie who is now ill. Against her better judgement she rescues Jessie and brings her back to Islay setting up a striking and emotional denouement when we learn the tragic reason why Jessie was so brutal to Evelyn. The book and Evelyn Doyle's story will end as her son is born and Jessie and Evelyn become reconciled.

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