An Eloquent Novel
Born of Long Ago Whispers
About Five Abandoned Children
NORAH'S CHILDREN
By Ann O'Farrell
Universe (publisher)
ISBN 0-595-40654-8
Reviewed by Sharon Greer
After the death of my mother, Nora, this past summer, I noticed a book sent for review back in April or May. Ann O'Farrell's new novel, Norah's Children, caught my eye and immediately went to the top of my pile of books.
Happily it turned out to be both a wonderful and purgative choice. This poignant, heart-rending narrative explores the plight of five children's lives after the death of their mother and subsequent abandonment by their father.
Beginning in May 1922 in the small, quiet rural town of Glendarrig in County Galway in Ireland, the book opens with a young woman, Norah Kelly, giving birth to her fifth and final child. Tragically Norah dies from a ruptured appendix two years after the birth of her youngest child, Michael.
The story unfolds in a mournful, melancholic but beautifully heartfelt way. The tale recounts the painful truth all of these children are forced to face when they realize their own father, Brendan Kelly, can seemingly forsake them after marrying a young woman.
Brendan approaches an elderly aunt, Aunty Bridgie, a kind, solid individual to ask her if she would be willing to temporarily look after his children. The morning after his wedding his plans abruptly and inexplicably shift, unleashing a torrent of emotional pain and disbelief that will haunt his children for the rest of their lives.
Strangely, he insists on keeping the oldest child, Pierce, leaving the baffled Aunty Bridgie to solve the remaining children's dilemma. He absolutely resists any attempts at an explanation of his drastic decision.
Ann O'Farrell captures the sadness and trauma that would undoubtedly be felt by any human treated in such a heartless manner. Under the Author's Note the writer explains that the novel, "...has at its heart, a truth. There was a Norah.....Norah did have five children, and five different families ultimately took in those children. I heard whispers long ago and like the fine silk of a spider's web, they clung to me. I finally gathered those fragile threads and wove them within a story of 'how it might have been'."
The author has certainly honoured these children in writing an eloquent novel of immense sorrow. I am very much looking forward to enjoying the sequel to Norah's Children - Michael, to be published soon.
Ann O'Farrell was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. She now resides in Florida.
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