Satisfying Family Saga
Family sagas are a favorite genre of mine and The Walking People does not disappoint.
Although it focuses on one generation, it has the feel of a multi-generational tale, given the primitive hardscrabble existence described in the earlier part of the book, before the characters traveled from Ireland to New York City. Like a series of consecutive anecdotes, it seems to live on theme rather than plot; this works very well considering the author's gift for character and dialog. The descriptions are vivid, with breathtaking imagery and the characters are real and dear. I will look forward to more books by Mary Beth Keane.
Rated of 5
by Jennifer W. (Mamaroneck, NY)
The Walking People
I'd like to be able to give this book a more wholehearted recommendation because i think Ms. Keane really can write, however, i cannot do so based upon this version of the novel. There is a very good book struggling to get out--and you feel it when she writes of the Irish countryside and the lives of country people and tinkers-- there were moments when i was transported and could feel the damp walls of the cottages. Sadly, the New York portion exploring Irish immigrants to the new world struggles underneath the weight of the author's verbosity. The characters are smothered before they truly come to life. It is perhaps still worth a read because i think Ms. Keane is talented but be prepared to meander.
Rated of 5
by Andrea S. (Lafayette, IN)
The Walking People The Walking People is an interesting look at the life of one Irish immigrant family from the mid twentieth century - both in Ireland and America. I found the parts about travelers - what we would call gypsies - and the life on Ireland's west coast very interesting. The characters were interesting and I thought the writing was good.
I wanted to like this book more than I did. I am a fan of other novels about Irish family life, but this one did not grab my attention from the start. I did become very interested in it about halfway through, and read almost nonstop till the end. The end was disappointing - it just ended. It didn't feel like the end of the story. I thought there were more chapters, but there were not!
Rated of 5
by Sylvia G. (Scottsdale, AZ)
Worth a Walk
I love debut novels and The Walking People didn't disappoint. With good storytelling and lyrical writing, Keane tells the story of an Irish family from 1956 to the present. The characters in this novel are so well fleshed out and both very real and appealing. If I had to quibble with anything, I would say the ending seemed a little forced and a bit out of focus compared to the rest of the book. A good read and I look forward to Keane's next book.
Rated of 5
by Gail B. (Albuquerque, NM)
Grand Debut
"The Walking People" had me from the prologue. Beginning in dank tunnels six hundred feet below the streets of New York, segue back fifty years to the west of Ireland as ancient customs crumble along with abandoned villages in the path of 20th century technology. Characters -- harsh, hard-working, secretive, loving -- evolve as they strive to adapt to the modern world.
Rated of 5
by Joan P. (Owego, NY)
The Walking People
This is the kind of book I enjoy. It tracks a family from youth to old age. Along the way I learned a lot. It was interesting to find out that Ireland in the 1950's was a poor nation and families were still emigrating to the United States hoping to find financial security. I also learned about the life of sandhogs tunneling far below the earth's surface to build and repair the many tunnels that serve New York City.
It is the story of sisters, Johanna and Greta, and Michael Ward. Michael is a gypsy - a walking person - that longs to settle down and live as most people do. Greta is a puzzle to me. Is she slow or is she capable. She holds a job but doesn't progress even when offered a promotion. She longs for home but stays in America. Johanna is the shooting star. She has ambition and a longing for adventure. Her life takes a surprising turn and the adventurer goes home. The three live for years with a secret that is always in the background waiting to be revealed.
Rated of 5
by Penny N. (Saginaw, MI)
A 1960s immigration story
Author Mary Beth Keane gives the reader a poignant but original tale of Irish immigrants. The story starts with a poverty stricken family in an almost empty area of Ireland, the Cahills. Then we meet the Ward family who are gypsies. It's a young Michael Ward and the two Cahill daughters, each barely grown and naive, who leave their families. We live their lives throughout the story - cheering the successes they are able to build a life around. Life is not perfect in their new home - New York City - but the family prevails. Though very well-written and engaging the story bogs down in the last 100 pages. Still overall it's an interesting and believable for anyone to enjoy.
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Full Story
of 5
by Jinny (Fremont, CA)
of 5
by Jennifer W. (Mamaroneck, NY)
