Ellis Island by Kate Kerrigan
Published by Harper Paperbacks, an imprint of HarperCollins
Review copy provided by the publisher in conjunction with TLC Book Tours
The year is 1920. Ellie Hogan is madly in love with her husband John and looking forward to their future of living on and maintaining their farm in Ireland. But when John, a soldier in the Irish Republican Army, is met with a serious injury requiring surgery, Ellie knows she must figure out a way to pay for the treatment her husband desperately needs. So Ellie contacts a childhood friend who is living and working in New York City, and she is immediately given a job as a maid for a wealthy New York woman. Upon her arrival in New York, Ellie is overwhelmed with all the new things she has to learn about and experience, but soon she gets into the swing of things and begins to feel at home in America. But John is in Ireland, waiting patiently for her return home. Ellie is faced with an almost impossible decision – stay in New York, the city she’s fallen in love with, or return to Ireland where the true love of her life is waiting for her.
I’m always in the market for a good historical fiction novel, so when I heard about Ellis Island I was immediately intrigued. I was thrilled to discover that Ellis Island was everything I had hoped it would be and more. I found myself drawn into the story right from the very first page, and my enjoyment of the novel did not cease until I turned the very last page.
I loved the peek into rural Ireland this novel afforded me. Ellie and John grew up in a poor, tight-knit farm community, and over the course of the novel Kerrigan illustrates perfectly what it must be like to live in those kinds of circumstances. The people in the town, while being very close, are also very cliquish and gossipy. Growing up, Ellie never fit in with her classmates because her parents didn’t fit in with the other adults in their town. Her marriage to John helps give her roots but also inspires her to grow wings, based on his need for the surgery. And once Ellie spends time in New York, she can’t imagine going back to her (what she perceives as) small, insignificant life on the farm. The strong ties she felt to this life she really didn’t even want showed me just how much small-town life in that time would pull a person in. They truly took pride in their farms, their homes, and everything else about their lives – especially since this was just after they became independent from the English. It really was a joy to read about this part of Irish history.
In addition to a peek into rural 1920’s Ireland, Ellis Island gives the reader a thorough look into New York City at that same point in history. Ellie hobnobbed with the most influential socialites of that day, so the reader really gets a taste of the kind of luxury enjoyed by the richest people in New York at that time. Also, since Ellie came into America via Ellis Island, the book gives the reader a look at what the immigrant experience was like at that time. This was truly historical fiction at its best, and I loved every second of it.
In addition to loving the historical fiction aspects of this novel, I loved the character of Ellie. She is resourceful and smart, plucky and very determined. She’s a dutiful wife but also clear on the fact that she needs to do more than take care of her home and her husband. Her courage in going to America by herself is inspiring and the fact that she assimilated so well and so quickly is pretty amazing. I loved reading this story about her and from her perspective. She was truly the perfect heroine of this novel and I honestly loved everything about her.
I cannot possibly continue explaining how much I enjoyed Ellis Island without encouraging you to just read it! If you enjoy historical fiction with an excellent main character, this book is absolutely not to be missed.
I just finished this and really enjoyed it! The author mentioned (somewhere – not sure where?) that this is the first in a trilogy and that she is working on the next books so there will be more of Ellie to come! Great review!
Ooh a trilogy, that would be fabulous. Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
This is my next read, and I am really excited about it. There is something inherently interesting to me about immigrant stories. I am almost finished with the audio version of Brooklyn which tells the story of an Irish immigrant and her experiences in New-York as well. I am so glad that you fell in love with this book. It bodes very well for me!
I agree re: immigrant stories and this one is truly wonderful. I have seen Brooklyn around but never thought to pick it up, perhaps I will. I hope you enjoy Ellis Island, can’t wait to hear what you think!
This book really interests me right now. We just visited Northern Ireland and I’ve been wanting to read more about it ever since.
Awesome! Well I hope you get the opportunity to read it soon.
Awesome! I love historical fiction. Thanks!
You’re welcome!
I’m so glad to see you liked it, since I hope to get to reading my copy soon. I’ve been really looking forward to this book, with the Ireland connection and having seen Ellis Island in person last year. It sounds so good!
What a great review!!! I love, love, love historical fiction, so I’m always ready to get my hands on a fabulous book. This one is next on my “to-read” list. Thank you!
I have a copy of this book but haven’t gotten around to it yet. Glad to hear you liked it so much.
[…] ~ Ellis Island by Kate Kerrigan, reviewed by Heather at Book Addiction […]
I’m really interested to read this one now.
Yay! I cannot wait to read this!!! I FINALLY have a vacation coming up so I might take this book with me!
I can’t wait to read this one for myself. My Gram came from Ireland to New York back in 1947, so I think I’d really enjoy this story.
Thanks for being on the tour Heather!
Wow thanks for that great review Heather! I am so excited to be published in the States and coming over to L.A and NYC in September/October. Really hoping I can hook up with some readers. Will be posting details of readings on my facebook/twitter pages over the next few weeks….hope some of you might come along so I can thank you for all your support in person!
Warmest wishes and thanks again – Kate. x
Note said audio soon. When will it be ready?
bwilliams@srvusd.net
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