Gunny Malone: An Irish Love Story,Used

Product DescriptionGunny Malone had no more chance of finding happiness than any other poor Irish girl. Raised in the Dingle Peninsula on the west coast of Ireland in the early 1800s, Gunny flees from home and the church and somehow finds love. But when tragedy follows, Gunny is left to rebuild her life on the remote Blasket Islands. When famine strikes in 1845, Gunnys world is once again tipped toward disaster. In this historic Ireland adventure, youll breathe the cool air, feel the rain against your face, and walk the rocky coast of western Ireland with the beautiful and powerful Gunny Malone as you experience the joy and pain of a time long past, with characters who will work their way into your heart, and stay with you for a lifetime.From the AuthorI hope you enjoy reading this novel as much as I enjoyed writing it. I got the seed of an idea for this from my own family history the Downeys left the Cobh area of Ireland in the mid1840s to move to Alexandria, Virginia. But that's about all I knew. So I 'assigned' myself the research for this book taking a semester to read, a semester to write, and a semester to edit. It's interesting writing historical fiction. You have to know the thread of the story before you start the research but then facts from the past intrude on the story. For example, I knew that Gunny fled from a marriage, but it was only after reading a small article in the Dingle library that I 'found out' what actually happened at the church. Then I thought there were people who died who told me they had not died! And others who suddenly disappeared.Writing is a very strange craft. You pick up a pen and things start to happen.From the Inside FlapExcepts from reviews of the eversion of this book:'It has been a few weeks now since I've finished reading Gunny Malone. I miss her! I really wish the sequel would be available already. I honestly can say that it has been a long time since I was that enthralled with a book. I am a 4th grade teacher, 2nd generation IrishAmerican, and a family historian/genealogist. There are so many fascinating levels in this book Irish culture, history, politics, religion, characterization. This could be the story of so many Irish descendants. I truly loved Gunny Malone. I can't wait to continue the next grand chapter of her life journey. I know I have something wonderful to look forward to.'This book has been added to my 'favorites' list of books! The author did an outstanding job not only in telling Gunny's story, adding Irish history into the fold but also making each and every character well rounded where you think you know each and every person that has been in Gunny's life. I literally could not put this book down! I started the book on a Thursday evening and stayed up until 4am before sleep won out. Come Friday night I was back to reading and finished on Saturday.This is one of those rare finds where after you finish with the book, it's hard to simply find another book to start reading. I just can't say enough about this book! To me it is a true Irish treasure!''Once I started reading Gunny Malone, I couldn't stop. I fell in love with Gunny's spirit and tenacity. It was fun to visit another (unknown to me) place and time. The Irish Potato Famine is something we learn about in social studies class, but rarely read about. I hope the author has started writing about what happens next in Gunny's adventure!''Reading about Gunny sure makes me want to visit that part of Ireland. A friend of mine found an old postcard from Dunquin of all places! We are actually thinking about heading over and renting a cottage for a month to have a chance to absorb some of what Gunny Malone was all about! The autor has obviously done her research she makes it all very real.''I totally enjoyed this book. Details and descriptions draw you in to the story.I couldn't put it down.'About the AuthorJanie Downey Maxwell grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, the descendant of