A Holland Reads: Rebel Sisters by Marita Conlon-McKenna

June 2, 2016

Rebel Sisters by Marita Conlon-McKenna - Review

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review

Published: January 1, 2016

Number of pages: 400

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis:

Published for the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising, Rebel Sisters is the Number One Irish bestseller from award-winning novelist Marita Conlon-McKenna, who writes with all the emotional depth and warmth of Maeve Binchy.

With the threat of the First World War looming, tension simmers under the surface of Ireland.

Growing up in the privileged confines of Dublin’s leafy Rathmines, the bright, beautiful Gifford sisters Grace, Muriel and Nellie kick against the conventions of their wealthy Anglo-Irish background and their mother Isabella’s expectations. Soon, as war erupts across Europe, the spirited sisters find themselves caught up in their country’s struggle for freedom.

Muriel falls deeply in love with writer Thomas MacDonagh, artist Grace meets the enigmatic Joe Plunkett – both leaders of ‘The Rising’ – while Nellie joins the Citizen Army and bravely takes up arms, fighting alongside Countess Constance Markievicz in the rebellion.

On Easter Monday, 1916, the biggest uprising in Ireland for two centuries begins. The world of the Gifford sisters and everyone they hold dear will be torn apart in a fight that is destined for tragedy.

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What did I think of this book:

I have other books about the Easter Rising and that is one of the reasons I chose to read this book. But this book was much more than just a retelling of the historical event. It was the story of the Gifford family as well. With the telling of this story through the Gifford family it seems to make it a little more real. I thought the author did a good job of describing the historical events as well as bringing the characters alive. You can tell that she did her research in the telling of these events. All in all a good book about a sad time.

About the author:

Marita Conlon-McKenna is a hugely successful Irish children’s writer. Her first novel, UNDER THE HAWTHORN TREE, sold 250,000 copies in the Irish market alone. Her debut adult novel, THE MAGDALEN, was a number one bestseller in Ireland, followed by PROMISED LAND, MIRACLE WOMAN, THE STONE HOUSE and THE HAT SHOP ON THE CORNER. She lives in Dublin with her husband and four children.

Visit Marita at her website: MaritaConlonMcKenna.com.