As others have mentioned, the main character is incredibly passive. She lets others make almost all decisions for her. Perhaps this is to show how limited a young woman's options were. Younger readers will feel more their lives empowered, however, that has not been woman's lot, historically. I am beyond thrilled that has changed. However in historical fiction this makes it incredibly difficult for the reader to keep up with the story line as the heroine is a doormat without redeeming qualities. There is no inner strength, no growth into her adulthood, no girl child becoming enterprising woman stretching the boundaries of the conventional rules. Nothing of the sort.
To make it even harder for the reader, the writing is somewhat flat. The few sex scenes and the small amount of profanity was added for bit of cheap shock and intensity value.
It was interesting to read what NYC was like in this social group at that time. Particularly interesting to me was the description of a mid-priced department store bravely choosing to sell to "coloured women" as the main customers, and the fuss this creates. But that's all.
I expected a lot more from the book. I really wanted to like it but didn't. I wanted the rag-heroine to go to America and create a new life for herself in the new country. But instead the author decided to go with a shocking twist and return her to Ireland. She gave up the new life and all of her opportunities.
This was one of the most terrible books I ever read. Treading through mud. I had to force myself to keep reading. The writing was flat. Story was just barely there. And I didn't care a tuppence for what happened to the girl.
To make it even harder for the reader, the writing is somewhat flat. The few sex scenes and the small amount of profanity was added for bit of cheap shock and intensity value.
It was interesting to read what NYC was like in this social group at that time. Particularly interesting to me was the description of a mid-priced department store bravely choosing to sell to "coloured women" as the main customers, and the fuss this creates. But that's all.
I expected a lot more from the book. I really wanted to like it but didn't. I wanted the rag-heroine to go to America and create a new life for herself in the new country. But instead the author decided to go with a shocking twist and return her to Ireland. She gave up the new life and all of her opportunities.
This was one of the most terrible books I ever read. Treading through mud. I had to force myself to keep reading. The writing was flat. Story was just barely there. And I didn't care a tuppence for what happened to the girl.
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