Were there particular scenes in the novel that resonated with you? What did you find special about them?

Were there particular scenes in the novel that resonated with you? What did you find special about them?

There were so many scenes in this book that were made vibrant by the author's use of words and imagery. When I read the novel it was almost like watching a movie in my mind. a few that have stuck with me even weeks after finishing the book are:
1. The mom taking Brid and Ina to the border.
2. Brid and Ina walking home from the pub
3. Brid going back to look at the hotel after the bombing
4. Bernie meeting her grandmother

The scenes in Ireland resonated the most with me- the trip to the border, Conor picking up the bottles, the wakes and funerals. It seemed the author was more comfortable and the writing more genuine. Aoife was perfectly portrayed and the scenes she was involved in were crisp and gave an excellent picture of a women who was willing to sacrifice her family for a cause. While the author gave a good portrayal of Bernie’s character and her search for independence and identity some of the scenes seemed forced.

There were a few scenes:
1. The walk to the border which was a good introduction for what to come
2. Bernie extending her hand to her mother at the airport
3. When Bernie is driving with Brid from the pub to the grandmother's house: the description of what Bernie sees and feels "...like we were moving not only forward along the road but deeper, across planes of memory and time."

One scene that resonated with me was the one where Bernie tried to declare her love to Mia. I feel that she herself may or may not have been gay , but she was simply a teenage girl devastatingly confused about sexuality. Her subsequent actions support this theory.

Even more jarring to me was the point at which we learn the five words that her mother said to Brid as she left home.

I was so upset when both her brothers told her not to come back, when we find out at the end that Aiofe was looking for all along. I think she never had to run or at least she could have returned to her family.