Review of House of Eire
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Re: Review of House of Eire
- Muhammad Usman 120
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The benefits:
Beautiful setting: Gillam’s vivid descriptions of the Irish landscape and culture immerse readers in the story, creating a strong sense of place that is surprising and authentic.
Engaging Story: The story weaves tightly, combining historical elements with contemporary issues to keep readers engaged from beginning to end.
Strong Heroine: Hilary Broome is a well-developed character, whose intelligence, determination and emotional depth make her a compelling heroine
Historical Romance: The combination of Ireland’s history, particularly the tensions and tragedies of its past, adds depth and context to the story
Cultural insight: The book provides an insight into Irish tradition and historical events as well as contemporary influences, giving the reader a better understanding of the situation.
The downside:
Pacing Issues: Some readers may find the pacing uneven, with some sections dragging a bit before the story picks up again.
Complex subplots: While many subplots add to the plot, they can sometimes get confusing and need careful follow-up.
Character Development: While Hillary is well done, some of the secondary characters lack depth, making it difficult to connect with them in a deep way.
In House of Eyre, June Gillam deftly combines mystery with a deep dive into Irish culture and history, creating a story that is as informative as it is entertaining. The strength of the novel lies in its rich description, intr
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Harshitha
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I must check it out since I love mystery novels
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I do enjoy a good murder mystery story with folklore! Thank you for sharing this review. The book cover does look quite appealing. I have taken up a recent interest in the Irish potato famine of the 1800s as well. As always, thank you for sharing this review. I will keep an eye out for this iconic green book cover. And if I see it, I'll take a look! Thank you Gerry.Gerry Steen wrote: ↑30 Apr 2024, 21:40 [Following is a volunteer review of "House of Eire" by June Gillam.]
Do you like novels containing mystery, murder, suspense, folklore, and history? Would you like to learn and experience a little bit of Irish culture? Would you like to know the difference between the tourism ideas of an Irish-American land developer and small, traditional Irish businesses? If you answered yes to these questions, you will enjoy reading House of Eire by June Gillam.
Believe it or not, I was attracted to this book by its cover. The green-colored cover contained a picture of a castle-like tower, the title House of Eire, and a small three-leaf shamrock. I assumed this novel would have some Irish content and was not disappointed.
The main character, Hillary Broome, and her spouse, Ed, were parents to a charming 10-year-old girl, Claire. Hillary's great-grandparents had emigrated to America during the Irish Potato Famine of the 1840s. Hillary wanted to explore her Irish roots in Ireland and visit her friend Bridget. Ed had promised Hillary a honeymoon trip to Ireland ten years ago. He was invited to participate in a law-enforcement conference in Ireland. Since the stars were aligned, they decided to take a two-week family vacation in Ireland.
Hillary's friend, Bridget, was at war with an Irish-American land developer, who wanted to build an amusement park for tourists. Bridget felt that tourists to Ireland needed to know about Irish history and the injustices endured by the Irish in the 1840s. She believed that installing monuments in remembrance of the Irish plight would better serve tourists and Ireland. A line was drawn, and a lot of money was at stake. How would this battle be resolved? You will have to read this book to find out.
June Gillam developed believable characters. No one was a superhero. She narrated this story using the third-person narrative. The plot had suspense, mystery, murder, and twists. I was made privy to the thoughts of the main characters. The plot was revealed through these thoughts and character dialogues. The plot had an even pace. I enjoyed all of these aspects.
The themes in the story included the joys of family, the pain of parental abandonment, the longing to feel connected to the past, shame, Irish folklore, cowardice, the Irish Potato Famine of the 1840s, and restless spirits. I enjoyed reading this book. The editing was professionally done, and the novel was easy to read. I appreciated that some Gaelic words were sprinkled throughout the story. This lent authenticity to the Irish theme. I did not find anything negative to report. Therefore, I gave House of Eire 5 out of 5 stars.
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House of Eire
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As a geologist and christian, I also particularly enjoy books on science and faith.
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Your review has me interested in this book. Both the scenery and the atmosphere of mystery are captivating. I have to admit though, that initially I wasn't drawn in by the cover. Now, when combined with your review, the green hues add appeal. Thank you for providing a great review.Gerry Steen wrote: ↑30 Apr 2024, 21:40
June Gillam developed believable characters. No one was a superhero. She narrated this story using the third-person narrative. The plot had suspense, mystery, murder, and twists. I was made privy to the thoughts of the main characters. The plot was revealed through these thoughts and character dialogues. The plot had an even pace.
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