Under the Hawthorn Tree: Children of the Famine - Softcover

Conlon-McKenna, Marita

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0862782066 ISBN 13: 9780862782061

Publisher: O'Brien Press Ltd, 1990

Synopsis

This is the first book in the famine trilogy. "The Great Irish Famine" brilliantly recreated through the story of three young survivors. Ireland in the 1840s is devastated by famine. When tragedy strikes their family Eily, Michael and Peggy are left to fend for themselves. Starving and in danger of ending up in the dreaded workhouse, they escape. Their one hope is to find the great-aunts they have heard about in their mother's stories. With tremendous courage they set out on a journey that will test every reserve of strength, love and loyalty they possess.

About this title

Review:

'makes a whole part of our history come alive, while it still remains a thrilling adventure tale.' -- RTE Guide RTE Guide ' ... beautiful and moving ... historically true and fictionally vivid.' -- The Sunday Times 'A great survival saga' -- Irish Independent Irish Independent 'The Great Irish Famine of the 1840s has received more fictional treatment than almost any other period in Irish historical children's books. Writing about the Famine posed new challenges to writers for children. The traditional passivity linked to ideas about famine would need to be overcome by some kind of action. The intense and horrible suffering and disease would need to be confronted truthfully but without lurid sensationalism. Some sense of an ending would need to be provided. In Under the Hawthorn Tree, Marita Conlon-McKenna confronted these problems with honesty and simplicity: the plight of three children becomes a kind of pilgrimage. The search for survival is not merely that, but also a search to sustain family loyalty and preserve memory.' -- The Big Guide to Irish Children's Books 'the powerful story of the survival of three children, alone, and against the odds.' -- Publishing News 'Marita Conlon-Mckenna handles this appalling event in Irish history sensitively but never compromising the truth of hardship and human suffering.' -- Jane Murphy - writeaway.org.uk '(A) vivid picture of the Famine era' 'fascinating and terrifying' --Evening Echo

Book Description:

Under the Hawthorn Tree is Ireland's top selling children's book. The phenomenal success of this original and enthralling book is celebrated with this beautiful audiobook edition.

About this edition

• Publisher: O'Brien Press Ltd
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0862782066
• ISBN 13: 9780862782061
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160
• Illustrator: Teskey Donald