Review – Yankeeland by Lacy Fewer
Synopsis
Fiercely independent and passionate, Brigid feels hindered by her family and the strict society of her small Irish town in the early 1900s.
Brigid and her cousin Molly, who is more like a sister, dream of a new life in the seemingly unlimited land of opportunity they call Yankeeland—America. Brigid gets her chance when she emigrates with her husband Ben and her brother James, while Molly stays in Ireland.
But when Brigid’s quest to have a child leads her to seek unconventional help, her mental stability is questioned. She is soon caught up in a patriarchal medical establishment she has little power to fight. The new life in America Brigid dreamed about takes a drastic turn.
Decades later, Brigid’s grandniece discovers a sack full of letters between the two cousins. She unravels the story and vows to tell the tale of what really happened to Brigid in Yankeeland.
Amazon
Review
This novel is set in the early 1900s in Ireland and America and revolves around family, new adventures, immigration, and mental health.
The Kelly family is no stranger to tragedy, from the death of their mother to James and Brigid immigrating to America, and then the loss of their father and sister, Kate. These tragedies take place over time, but they affect the entire family. While James and Brigid’s immigration isn’t a tragedy, it affects the family differently. Each family member has to deal with the deaths in their own way, and for some, it is better that the truth is not shared regarding the cause, especially for Kate. While the cause of her death is unknown, we do know she has mental health issues and a break from reality. I am not a medical professional, but she could have been bipolar because her moods would swing wildly.
The novel also addresses the lack of good healthcare, especially for women. At the time, doctors thought it had to do with women’s cycles or something similar. While we know that is incorrect today, it was common practice for doctors to chalk it up to something female. I am glad that I didn’t live in that time when women were considered chattel and not much more.
There are multiple main characters outside of Brigid and Molly. While I’m not sure which character I liked the best, I felt that James was the most stable. Their stepmother, Agnes, was despicable and only cared for herself. There were many gossips in the small Irish community, but that isn’t uncommon. It is a shame that rumors would spread like wildfire compared to the truth.
I enjoyed this story, and the letters between Molly and Brigid that spurred this tale. We get a look into some of these letters, but many times, I don’t know how honest they were with each other regarding their situations.
I think the story would have been better told from just a few perspectives versus so many different characters. But these characters do help round out the story and give us a better understanding of the family and the time.
The story also briefly touches on World War I and the Spanish Flu pandemic, lending authenticity to the timeline.
We give this book 4 paws up.
About the Author
Lacy Fewer is a native of Dublin, Ireland. A graduate of University College Dublin, she has enjoyed a career in banking and finance. Following her passion for storytelling, she has shifted her focus to writing. Yankeeland is her debut novel and was inspired by the discovery of her grandaunt’s letters, which haunted her. She lives in Dublin with her husband and children.
