My Heart Went Walking by Sally Hanan - #BookReview #BlogTour

 

"You stupid, stupid girl!"

I back my way to the door. Mam's finger is pointing right at my heart. I turn and run.

I have no idea where to run though. Our woods? Cullen's house is down the road, but that's the first place she'd come looking for me, probably to call me more names the nuns would put us in detention for at school. Mam's never called me that before, never shouted at me like that before.

***

The only man she’s ever loved is seeing her sister.

And now they have to save her together.

Kept apart by their love for one man, two sisters embark on their own paths towards survival, love, and understanding, until they finally meet again in the worst of circumstances. And the reality might break them all.

My Heart Went Walking is a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that sweeps from the small Irish town of Donegal to the “big smoke” of Dublin City; a book that celebrates the pull of family and the chance of redemption. It is a novel for everyone who feels connected to the Irish approach to life—that of grit and laughter—and also for everyone who loves an overriding message of hope and restoration in all things.

***

When I was a school girl, I remember one of my teacher's saying to me, "Annie, there are very few books in life that when you have read the last page, you just want to go back to the first page and start all over again." Such wise words.

This was one of those books. I could happily have kept reading it forever! I was so invested in Una's life, her relationship with Cullen, and of course, the beautiful Ellie. The chapters are varyingly headed by each of these three characters. I enjoyed reading this story being told from the perspective of each of them, and it presented the reader with a greater understanding of each of them.

Both time and place are vividly brought to life in this book. Ireland in the 1980's was a place with a strict moral code and where teenage unmarried mothers were viewed harshly. Una's mother reacted in a way that I think many mothers of that time may have, and I  would have liked to read her thoughts as the story progressed.

It moves along at a sedate pace which felt appropriate for the story line.

There is a helpful glossary of Irish words and expressions included within the book, along with the pronunciations of the names and places. For me, I was familiar with all of the terms but for those who are not acquainted with the local vernacular, this would be extremely useful.

Overall, it is a heartwarming story and hit all the right notes for me. I think this will appeal to anyone who enjoys women's fiction and I hope that you will enjoy it every bit as much as I have.

ISBN: 978 1733333030

Publisher: Fire Drinkers Publishing

About the Author:

Sally Hanan grew up in Ireland and became a nurse, but she left all the big family dinners, rain, and cups of tea when she and her husband moved to Texas. Her family now raised, she works as a book editor and occasional lay counsellor and life coach. 

As an Irish immigrant to Texas, where she enjoys eating tacos and being warm and dry year-round. My Heart Went Walking is her debut novel. She won a 2021 Readers' Favourite gold medal winner for her nonfiction.