I have never read an Irish Famine story as moving as this one. Sing, Wild Bird, Sing by Jacqueline O’Mahony dug into my soul like a claw and hollowed it out in one eternal scoop. Then it squeezed my heart beyond recognition-- inflicting great pain in my emotional core. Yes, a dramatic description of my reaction but this novel defies any ordinary response for it is an extraordinary telling of a very heart-breaking passage of Irish history. True, this is fiction but the seeds of reality have birthed an unforgettable tale. If you have any Irish roots in you (as I do) and if you have poetic vision (as I do), then the power of Jacqueline’s words and original descriptions will inspire and quicken some powerful feelings. And you will find yourself as I did, so glad you read this novel. And you will empathize with the main character, Honora, when she is faced with horrible loss, abuse and grievous misunderstanding.
This author has an incredible gift of insight and of language: to be able to express poetically and precisely the Famine events that tore through Ireland long ago. Her focus in Part One is on the Doolough tragedy of March 1849 set in the south west county of Mayo. A starving people were required to embark on a horrid journey across snow covered mountains in bad weather to verify their need of relief at a proposed location. Due to the weakened state, many died on the way on the banks of a black lake. Help came too late. It is obvious to me that this part of the novel poured like blood onto the page in a very personal way. The author’s connection to her country’s past is strong and thus the characters and events feel authentic.
The physical damage the Great Famine caused was one thing but the psychological scars even greater. The many who endured such vile suffering and survived were truly injured. Generations of souls would never forget the atrocities. These acts of a natural world in discord and the evils of the humans who took advantage, maimed a nation that eventually haemorrhaged with grief. Many left Ireland’s shores to find relief and freedom. But did they find it? And was it what they expected?
In the second part of the novel. Jacqueline explores what many found on the other side of the sea who boarded ships to America. Honora lands first in New York, stays a while and then moved on to the wild west. The bondage, sadness and control that dominates this young woman’s life is unspeakable. It follows her across the waves to the grim gateway city of NY and then to the wheaten desolate prairies. She is always at the mercy of others—trying hard to break free. At first naïve, her continuing experiences begin to shape and sharpen her mind and fire her courage. When she feels downtrodden and fears never to rise again, she reaches down in her well of experience and drinks from her reservoir of strength: words keep coming back to her from home, from the birds and other delights of nature. These pieces once woven into the very fabric of her being, help her survive the worst moments of her life--in Ireland and in America. And though she is determined to move forward, does she find the liberty she seeks?
Honora goes to America seeking freedom but finds there is none, just more ownership and bondage. She sees her husband’s name as ownership—‘like the landlord in Ireland who owned the land, and the people on it.’ It is not until a bizarre encounter with an Indian that she finds a common thread with another group of people. This makes her see how their loss of land is similar to Ireland’s to the English. Has she found a kindred spirit? And how will this common denominator change her life? I must say this part of the story was equally moving to Part one. For the author articulates the encounters so well, they again feel real and true to life. Upon careful inspection, we discover the North American Indians shared a common fate. The location may be different from Ireland but the similarities of the two peoples are striking. I learned a great deal on this section of the story’s canvas. Jacqueline articulated these mirrored experiences, images and emotions in a way I will never forget. These things are now burned into my mind like memories.
The villain of this story is a nasty one: full of vengeance and the worst hate imaginable. Then there is Prosper: a man she meets in an unlikely situation in NY who is attracted to her but he is a strange mix of support and control. Their relationship is a strained one at times. She learns when he feels wronged, his silence is more deafening than harsh words screamed into the air. For the response creates a chasm in her deeper and emptier than any she has ever known. And then there is her Irish husband, William. His spirit still clings to the silhouette of her distant memories.
Honora is a woman I will never forget. The way the author portrays her is ingenious. She is as an individual with a special gift of original thought and has an intriguing connection to birds (as noted throughout the story and in the title). Then there is the adversity she faces and overcomes outside the famine. From her father, to her first and second husband, and a wicked enemy. Many of the men she encounters have a terrible effect on her. Except one that not only bridges the gap but gives her a sense of home and freedom.
Sing, Wild Bird, Sing is a beautiful, terrifying and triumphant tale and one that will haunt my dreams for many nights to come. I highly recommend this novel that deserves more stars than the system allows. For 5 Stars just isn’t enough. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy.
