Tales From an Irish Wake: A Novel of Irish Immigrants in Wisconsin, by Armstrong, Margaret Doar
Inventory #: 01802
Price: $20.00

For credit card orders through PayPal (United States Media Mail shipping only)			For all other purchases

Tales From an Irish Wake: A Novel of Irish Immigrants in Wisconsin, by Armstrong, Margaret Doar. Empire State Fiction: Monroe, New York, 1990. Edition: First edition (no additional printings shown). Hardcover, 5.75 by 8.75 inches, 288, [1] pages. Green cloth with gilt lettering on spine.

Condition: Near fine in a Near Fine jacket. Former owner's small address label on first free end paper; lower corners slightly worn. Jacket has a very small amount at upper spine and corners. Other than as stated, book is in beautiful condition.

Contents: The author's first novel. Publisher's Note:

Bridget McGraw was born in County Mayo, Ireland in 1851. In an excellent recreation of the late 19th century Irish countryside and the ways of its people, Bridget is placed in a convent by her widowed father who strikes a deal with the nuns to educate the young girl. The arrangement, however, does not work. An irate Terry McGraw discovers that, except for religious classes, the child is allowed little time for other studies due to the work load the nuns have imposed on her.

Terry McGraw decides to find his wife's sister in America, thinking that she might serve as a mother to Bridget. A harrowing voyage is made across the Atlantic and the father and child find relatives in Boston with whom they live until they can find Frances Larkin Shannon, who has settled somewhere 'out west.' Again, a fine picture is drawn of Irish immigrants in Beantown during the days immediately following the Civil War. The full flavor of this period with its sadness and gladness illuminates the oddities of human nature without belittling nor condemning it.

The 'temporary' stay in Boston lasts two years. Frances Shannon is located in Hammondsville, Wisconsin, but just before their departure, Terry McGraw is killed in an accident on the Boston docks. Bridget travels alone to take up residence with the loving Shannon family. This new life blossoms into marriage, family and friends with a pattern set by the very nature of Bridget McGraw Mulrooney.

At her death, the entire town mourns this old, warm-hearted, deeply religious and loving woman who devoted her life to helping others. At her wake, the remembrances flow; hence the title of the novel, TALES FROM AN IRISH WAKE.