From Cork to the New World: A Journey for Survival is a work of historical fiction based on a true story: rather than watch their children weaken and starve, the McCarthy and Sullivan families leave poverty-stricken Ireland to become part of the Peter Robinson Settlement in Canada. Robinson, a member of the Canadian Upper Parliament, was responsible for bringing thousands of Irish settlers to Canada, where they vastly improved their situation through hard work and determination. The story follows the fortunes, trials and ...
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From Cork to the New World: A Journey for Survival is a work of historical fiction based on a true story: rather than watch their children weaken and starve, the McCarthy and Sullivan families leave poverty-stricken Ireland to become part of the Peter Robinson Settlement in Canada. Robinson, a member of the Canadian Upper Parliament, was responsible for bringing thousands of Irish settlers to Canada, where they vastly improved their situation through hard work and determination. The story follows the fortunes, trials and tribulations of Thomas McCarthy, his wife Johanna and their three children. At the same time, we learn about the William Sullivan family, who travel on a different ship to Canada. The two families become acquainted when Denis McCarthy agrees to teach the Sullivan children to read. Both families must deal with tragedies and never is a day taken for granted, although every day there is cause for thanks. Interspersed throughout is the Irish love of song, music and dance
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Add this copy of From Cork to the New World: a Journey for Survival to cart. $19.94, good condition, Sold by KimmiesCollection rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Maryville, TN, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Borealis Pr.
Add this copy of From Cork to the New World: a Journey for Survival to cart. $29.02, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Borealis Pr.
Add this copy of From Cork to the New World: a Journey for Survival to cart. $80.46, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Borealis Pr.
In this compelling and poignant story, I took the journey with humble families as they sought to realize a dream. I was captivated from the first page through the last. These lives and spirits have touched me deeply. With much anticipation, I look forward to the next book by this extraordinary writer.
William51
Sep 5, 2009
A journey worth reading about
History at its driest is a timeline of so-called ?major events?, but at it?s richest, a good historian/story teller allows us to ?be there? and ?to relive? the events of the past from a myriad of perspectives.
No one recognizes their own day-to-day life as history in the making nor do one?s trials, tribulations, customs or decisions really seem historical until they are observed by future eyes. Because of this, much of the daily life of ordinary people is lost to future generations. This become particularly clear when one is interested in tracing one?s family roots and realizes how little is recorded and therefore how much is lost when memories die. Anyone who takes on the challenge of reconstruction is offering a gift not only to his contemporaries but also to those ancestors he honors.
Like McCarthy, I am a descendent of 19th century Irish immigrants. In writing this history of his ancestors, he has gifted everyone with such ancestry and provided a gripping read for all.
Based on his careful research, McCarthy uses historical elements to reconstruct the lives of the people and the events that led up to and then enabled the poorest of the Irish poor to emigrate to Canada in the early 2nd quarter of the 19th century ? before the mass migrations to the US of the mid-century.
In doing so, he imbues the characters with lives full of sentiments that can warm the heart as well as experiences that can chill the bones. But more than this, he offers understanding and interpretation of both the faith that underpins their resolve and the practical aspects of their daily life; making the book not only an interesting historical adventure but also an educational guide and a thoughtful story about life that leads the reader to quiet reflection.
The struggles of these Irish folks, McCarthy?s ancestors and their like, are described in beautiful simplicity and haunting reality. The book helps us to understand how and why they endured such hardships, or, as in so many cases, could not endure them. We see how their faith was a fundamental asset that allowed acceptance, which in turn led to their progress.
My only disappointment with the experience of reading this book is the wait to read the sequel.
