In the midst of the Irish famine, Grace’s mother awakens her in the middle of the night and hacks off her hair. She tells her she must go out as a boy to get money for the family. Besides, Boggs, who lets the family stay in their house in exchange for sex with her mother, has been eyeing Grace lately. So, Grace is cast out to fend for herself, wandering through a country thronged with starving people, a country that’s becoming more and more desolate.
From the first words of this novel, you know you are reading something different. The prose is beautiful, mesmerizing, occasionally hallucinogenic, as Grace goes through one experience after another, haunted by the people she loses along the way.
What an experience it was to read this book. I read it for my Walter Scott project. It’s a book I probably wouldn’t have come across except for that, and I’m grateful to have read it.
What? Me Read? 
Sounds quite disturbing….
Yes, but it was really good.
I’ve heard such good things about this book – really keen to read it. Would you mind if I linked your post up to my Reading Ireland Month challenge post?
No, that would be great!
I might have to read this one before traveling to Ireland. Sounds like a beautiful read and a way to learn more.
Yes, it was wonderful.
so glad to see you enjoyed this! it’s definitely at the top of my TBR right now so i cant wait to get it — always love me some Irish fiction 🙂
It’s a good one!