From Library Journal
Red-haired, Irish, the only girl and youngest child in a family with three sons, Claire Maloney is feisty, unafraid, and burning to right the injustices of the world, starting with those in the small Georgia town dominated by her extended family. At the age of five, Claire stands up for drunken troublemaker Roanie Sullivan, the neglected son of Big Roan and a despised outsider. It takes two tragedies to make Claire realize that the most generous impulses can be as destructive as selfish ones and 20 years of stubborn independence and loneliness before Roanie and Claire can accept home and family along with the ambivalent feelings they inspire. This novel is a rich evocation of family and place that portrays all too painfully the hurt and comfort, the frustrations and rewards brought by heritage and family. Recommended.?Cynthia Johnson, Cary Memorial Lib., Lexington, Mass.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From School Library Journal
YA?Innocent compassion links 5-year-old Claire Maloney to Roan Sullivan, a motherless 10-year-old lad whose life with his drunken, despicable father is a nightmare. A bond develops between the two that neither time nor space can break. Claire's family traces its roots back several generations to Ireland, and with them the mystical beliefs that creep into its contemporary culture and customs. Both families have deep roots in Dunderry, Georgia, where long-standing relationships weave in and out of daily life and are often more biological than at first acknowledged. When Roan is forced out of Dunderry, at age 15, after he kills his father while defending Claire, she is unable to forget him. For the next 20 years, she searches for Roan. Unknown to her, however, he has kept watch over her until he can prove himself worthy of her. A tragic accident brings Claire back to her home to recuperate and eventually Roan back to her. This is a story for any romantic who wants a bit of mystery, a lot of suspense, a tale of two star-crossed lovers, and a satisfying ending to a fast-paced novel. YAs will readily identify with Claire and Roan as they struggle to become the adults they want to be; readers will cheer them on to their eventual success.?Dottie Kraft, formerly at Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
