Helpful Score: 5
This is such a wonderful read! It is not so much a mystery/thriller as I thought it would be, but more of historical fiction with a bit of a mystery and some twists in the end.
The prologue begins in 1937 on Alcatraz in the midst of the search for a prison guard's missing young daughter. You know there is a prisoner who is involved, but you don't know who or why.
The book takes us back to 1919 Ireland and the story of a young orphan boy and his experiences that eventually take us to America. He goes through so much and I was rooting for him throughout. There are some suspenseful elements and surprises in the end, but this is more a beautiful story of family, hope and perseverance.
The prologue begins in 1937 on Alcatraz in the midst of the search for a prison guard's missing young daughter. You know there is a prisoner who is involved, but you don't know who or why.
The book takes us back to 1919 Ireland and the story of a young orphan boy and his experiences that eventually take us to America. He goes through so much and I was rooting for him throughout. There are some suspenseful elements and surprises in the end, but this is more a beautiful story of family, hope and perseverance.
Helpful Score: 4
As I read this book, I did not see it as two stories intertwined but rather one story that continued to progress. I won't give a synopsis of the story itself - it can be found in plenty of places. My impression of this book is that it was overall an uplifting story about the strength of human determination and most of all, compassion. The writing was engaging and the characters so well developed that it made you feel as if you knew them personally. Highly recommend this read!
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent! Didn't want it to end. The story was intriguing, taking you from Ireland to New York to Alcatraz.
I felt the pain Shanley Keagen endured as his abusive uncle dies aboard ship as they traveled to NY and he arrives penniless and homeless. A family befriends him and his life changes along with his name. Friendship, family, love and betrayal all follow until he ends up in Alcatraz for something he didn't do.
The ending was amazing, completely blew me away. Highly recommend this book.
I felt the pain Shanley Keagen endured as his abusive uncle dies aboard ship as they traveled to NY and he arrives penniless and homeless. A family befriends him and his life changes along with his name. Friendship, family, love and betrayal all follow until he ends up in Alcatraz for something he didn't do.
The ending was amazing, completely blew me away. Highly recommend this book.
