Title: Ellis Island
Author: Kate Kerrigan
First published October 2, 2009
356 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780062071538 (ISBN10: 006207153X)
Rating: 3.7
Overview
Kate Kerrigan’s Ellis Island is a mesmerizing tale that takes readers on a journey through the immigrant experience in early 20th century America. With a poignant love story at its heart, the novel beautifully captures the struggles and triumphs of a young Irish woman who faces a difficult choice between her new life in New York City and her home in Ireland.
Set in the 1920s, this lyrical and evocative novel paints a vivid picture of two vastly different worlds, leaving readers captivated until the very end. Fans of historical fiction and Irish themed works will find themselves immersed in the world of Ellis Island.
About the Author
Meet Kate Kerrigan, an author residing in Ireland. Her collection of novels includes Recipes for a Perfect Marriage, The Miracle of Grace, Ellis Island, City of Hope, Land of Dreams, and The Lost Garden.
Kate kickstarted her career as an editor and journalist, where she led the editing of Britain’s most successful young women’s magazines. Later, she returned to her homeland in the 1990s and worked as an editor for Irish Tatler.
Currently, she writes a weekly column about her life in Killala, County Mayo, in the Irish Mail and contributes to RTE’s radio show, Sunday Miscellany.
Her novel, The Dress, published by Head of Zeus, was nominated at the Irish Book Awards in 2015. In October 2016, her latest novel, It Was Only Ever You, was published in hardback edition.
This book is a page-turner, and I couldn’t put it down until the end. It’s an absolute must-read!
Marian Keyes
The story is incredibly heartfelt, and every page echoes its emotions. You can sense its intensity with every word.
Cecelia Ahern
Editoral Review
Kate Kerrigan’s “Ellis Island” is a historical fiction novel that takes readers on a journey through the lives of Irish immigrants who landed on Ellis Island in the early 20th century. First published in 2009, Kerrigan’s novel has been praised for its compelling characters, vivid descriptions, and emotional depth.
Set in the years leading up to World War I, “Ellis Island” follows the story of Ellie Hogan, a young Irish woman who dreams of starting a new life in America. Ellie’s journey is filled with obstacles, including poverty, illness, and discrimination, but she perseveres with the help of her friends and family.
Along the way, she meets and falls in love with a charming Italian immigrant named Tony, but their relationship is threatened by the prejudices of the time.
Kerrigan’s writing style is immersive and lyrical, transporting readers to a bygone era with her vivid descriptions of New York City and the Irish countryside. The characters are well-developed and complex, with each one having their own struggles and motivations.
Ellie, in particular, is a strong and relatable protagonist who embodies the hopes and dreams of countless immigrants who came to America seeking a better life.
One of the strengths of “Ellis Island” is its historical accuracy and attention to detail. Kerrigan has clearly done her research, and the novel is filled with fascinating insights into the experiences of Irish immigrants during this time period.
She also touches on themes such as identity, belonging, and the power of love to transcend cultural barriers.
While some readers may find the pacing of the novel slow at times, overall, “Ellis Island” is a beautifully written and deeply moving novel that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. It is a poignant reminder of the struggles and sacrifices that immigrants have made throughout history, and the enduring human spirit that drives us all to seek a better life.
In conclusion, I highly recommend “Ellis Island” to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or is interested in the immigrant experience. It is a richly rewarding read that will leave a lasting impression on your heart and mind.
I give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
