Review: A Beautiful Story, Beautifully Written
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 13, 2013
Erin O'Quinn's deep love of Ireland and all things Irish is readily apparent in this historical romance.  From her use of Gaelige to her landscape-painting descriptions of the countryside, it is apparent that that rhythm of a bodhrán is her own heart's beat.The story is set in what is now County Donegal, just after Patrick began his conversion of the Irish people to Christianity.  Erin has made use of extensive research to ensure the historical accuracy of such things as clay-and-wattle buildings and methods of hunting with sling and stone.  Detailed descriptions of characters, places, and actions (including sex) round out the story without bogging it down in the least.  And what a story it is!When her impetuousness causes Mariana to become separated from her father and his party, she finds herself in dire need of help, and no one from whom to seek it except Flann O'Conall, an unlikely -- and unwilling -- source of help.  He's a loner, deeply connected to the outdoors, returning to his father's home after an annual trek to visit other kinsmen.  He finds her petulant and demanding; she finds him crude and standoffish.  When a cold hard rain drives her underneath his blanket as the only source of shelter, she discovers he's not quite so standoffish after all.Neither Flann nor Mariana understand the mysteries of their own feelings, and Mariana is a complete innocent besides.  Her only previous physical encounter with a man was rough and traumatic, though limited.  He's afraid of his own feelings as well as the strictures of love.  It's a heady mix, with plenty of room for conflict and misunderstanding.The story explores whether or not two people who love freedom from obligations to others, who feel a deep emotional/spiritual connection to the Emerald Isle, and who are reluctant to take emotional risks can ever find happiness.  Their journey of discovery is more than a simple trek across the landscape.  Erin's deep understanding of the interconnectedness of the Irish people with Place, an interconnectedness that persists through generations of emigrants, serves us well as she guides us through a wild and beautiful land.  The secondary characters are full-featured and fun, providing foils for both Mariana and Flann as they come to terms with themselves and each other.Erin O'Quinn is an accomplished storyteller.  This book is an excellent example of her talent and a delight for any lover of the Emerald Isle.