Gracelin O'Malley is a historical fiction novel that takes place in Ireland during some of their most difficult years. The Irish people rented their own land from British rule and worked the land and would have to send most of their fruits and labor to England. The Irish lived off of what was left after full days and years of farming the land. The Irish knew they would never get ahead, but did not see another way and that's where the story takes place.
Gracelin O'Malley wed a sociopathic, English landowner that her father had insisted upon (at the age of 15) as her father wanted her to have a better life. Gracelin endured much abuse and loss from this marriage, but she was also able to help so many as she would sneak and feed the hungry and poor of Ireland.
Times continued to get worse in the country with the great potato famine and this seemed to go on for years. Pages and pages I read of the starving, yellow-fever, and all manner of disease and things just continued to get worse. I didn't realize this book was the first of a 3 book series. I don't know if I will finish the series as I did enjoy the book, but what a relief it was to finally finish it.
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