"Only the River Runs Free"

Written by Bodie & Brock Thoene (pronounced Tay-nay, it's Irish)
270 pages
Overall Grade: A

I feel like the biggest hypocrite in the world: I said I was going to try and not to do a series and here I am getting ready to review another book in a series. In my defense I didn't notice that it said "Galway Chronicles" on the bottom of the front cover until after I had gotten home from the library. I was doing a quick search because I had to get home to relieve my babysitter (aka my mother). Also after doing a little more research on the Thoenes, apparently all they do is write books in a series. They've got like 30 novels to their name. I do think it's cute though that a husband and wife write together. Anyway enough babbling.

I really liked this book! The writing was really good and the plot lines were decently carried out. The writing style was a little simple for me but straightforward and easy to read, which I can appreciate. The novel takes place in Ireland in the 1800's. The Irish are trying to gain independence from England while the farmers and the rest of the working class people are trampled on by their English landlords. In a nefarious plot one man kills his brother-in-law to take over his land and tax the Irish people to death. In the midst of this coup, the landlord's son is believed to have drowned in his attempt to get away from the villain, but is he really dead? Bum-bum buuuummm.

Anyway, it's a great story of forgiveness, moving on after tragedy, and following God's leading even when you don't really understand where you are going. (Did I mention they are Christian authors?) I love historical fiction. It's so interesting to think of what life might have been like for people in that time and halfway around the world. I've never been to Ireland, although I'd like to, and my history teachers never really talked about Ireland much except the potato famine. So this little glimpse into that world was fun, although the authors really do write so well that I was catching myself talking with an Irish brogue there for a couple of days!

All in all it was a great book, shorter than I would've liked but then again there are at least 4 books in the series so how long can they be really? The book is never slow, you are always engaged to the characters and plot, and you will cry a little but a lot that comes out of Ireland makes you want to cry right? Haven't you ever heard "Danny Boy"? Anyway, great book, awesome authors, and plenty more where this one came from... Need I say more?

 

"We read to know we are not alone." - C.S. Lewis