I really connected with the book as my own ancestors came from Ireland at about the same time as the setting for this book. I thought it was a wonderful story.

Canada Reads, huh? I had to read this for a CanLit course in university in the 90s and recall it being quite dreary and not to my liking, but good luck!

Be swept back to 1840s Ireland at the start of the Great Famine (Irish Potato Famine). Here the four generations of stories told from Esther's POV which you get to see into each of the characters and their attachment to land or sea. Yet, also see how their history was told through poems, songs/dance and stories to future generations. It just might sweep you away (or not).

A worthy "Canada Reads 2013" candidate. The several-decades account is quite gripping and lyrically written.

I loved this book so much I'm going to buy it for my bookshelf. The language is beautiful and the story compelling. Anyone with Irish roots will enjoy this book as it gives a glimpse into the hardships experienced in Ireland that drove so many to travel across an ocean not knowing what was waiting on the other side. It also speaks of the prejudices new immigrants experience - unfortunately this is still happening today.

Dec 11, 2012, just finished "February" by Lisa Moore, and now will start this one, the second in my reading list of the picks for "Canada Reads" 2013. Hope I get them all done before the debates start!....Dec 19, finished it.....can't say that this was my cup of tea......while it wasn't painful, I think it went over my head, just left me with that "Well what was that all about?" feeling!...now on to "The Shipping News"

I know a bit about N. Ireland and its history; I know very little about Canadian history during the period of the Irish immigration; as a result, I found this book interesting and enlightening. The writing is prose and poetry and lovely to read but difficult (for a cretin like me). In the end, I'm not sure if the author is making a statement about history or about the human condition.

A wonderful historical fiction novel by Canadian author Jane Urquhart. Surreal discriptions and excellent poetry.