Join Books.org — it's free

Europe - Travel Essays & Descriptions, Irish History, Peoples & Cultures - Biography, Great Britain & Ireland - Travel
When Summer's in the Meadow by Niall Williams β€” book cover

When Summer's in the Meadow

by Niall Williams, Christine Breen, Christine Breem
Write a review
Log in to track your reading progress.

Overview

This book continues Niall and Christine's account of their life on the farm in Ireland and the desolating discovery that they couldn't have children.

"A thoughtful, tender self-portrait of a couple passionately in live with a country and with each other."--Booklist.

Synopsis

This book continues Niall and Christine's account of their life on the farm in Ireland and the desolating discovery that they couldn't have children.

Publishers Weekly

In 1985, this Irish-American couple moved from the hectic world of New York book publishing to a small farm in Ireland, attempting to recapture the simpler life of their ancestors. In O Come Ye Back to Ireland, they chronicled their first year. Here they continue the account of their lives as novice farmers in County Clare, describing their successes and failures, the crops and animals they learn to nurture, and the caring neighbors who are always ready to help and instruct. Most poignantly, they tell of their bitter disappointment at learning that they cannot have a child of their own, and of the difficult decision to begin the adoption process. At the heart of the book is the story of a year of waitingwaiting to be approved by the Irish Adoption Board, waiting for a baby, waiting for the baby to be legally theirs. When Deirdre is finally their own and the farm begins to thrive, their contentment is complete. This is the unassuming tale of two people who return to the land and succeed. (Mar.)

Reviews

There are no reviews yet. Log in to write one.

Editorials

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

In 1985, this Irish-American couple moved from the hectic world of New York book publishing to a small farm in Ireland, attempting to recapture the simpler life of their ancestors. In O Come Ye Back to Ireland, they chronicled their first year. Here they continue the account of their lives as novice farmers in County Clare, describing their successes and failures, the crops and animals they learn to nurture, and the caring neighbors who are always ready to help and instruct. Most poignantly, they tell of their bitter disappointment at learning that they cannot have a child of their own, and of the difficult decision to begin the adoption process. At the heart of the book is the story of a year of waitingwaiting to be approved by the Irish Adoption Board, waiting for a baby, waiting for the baby to be legally theirs. When Deirdre is finally their own and the farm begins to thrive, their contentment is complete. This is the unassuming tale of two people who return to the land and succeed. (Mar.)

Library Journal

The authors made their debut with O Come Ye Back to Ireland ( LJ 10/15/87), a quaint account of their first year in Ireland after moving from the Big Apple. This sequel is equally successful. It focuses on the couple's attempt to adopt a child. Though they recount various incidents--the shock of a return trip to New York, the scare of a major storm hitting western Ireland--the pending adoption overrides all other concerns. Still, they go on with their pastoral lives: farming, tending livestock, the sharing of a community spirit not found in New York City. Breen and Williams have used a unique format in both books. The text is primarily the product of Williams, while the narrative is interspersed with entries from Breen's diary. Another charming account; recommended for most libraries.-- Boyd Childress, Auburn Univ . Lib . , Ala.

Book Details

Published
July 1, 2003
Publisher
Soho Press, Incorporated
Pages
228
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780939149377

More by Niall Williams

Similar books