Romance Is Dead (Napoli Series Book 1)

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Told from the point of view of Lorraine, a girl whose father is a tenant farmer near Galway in , we see just how horrific the lack of a major crop can be to a community already struggling under British rule. Lorraine's parents and young brother, Paddy, struggle mightily, eating soup made of local vegetation and keep warm at night only by snuggling next to their pig. Clothing and blankets are so hard to come by that when a father and his three children beg for meals from Lorraine's mother, the children are naked. This family is later found dead next to the side of the road, victims of fever.

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This fever spreads to a family who helped them, and only the father survives. When Lorraine makes the acquaintance of the young mistress whose father owns the land, she sees just how much better off the British are, and convinces Miss Susannah that things are as bad as she has heard. With Susannah's help, Lorraine takes eggs back to her small community, and this bolsters everyone's health a tiny bit. Families make plans to leave after crops fail for another year, but Susannah's family decides to stay put after tragedy affects them.

Luckily for Lorraine, her friend Emmet stays behind, and the two use all of their skills and wiles to keep the family fed. Naploi always does a fantastic job of researching her stories; I was a tiny bit surprised that this wasn't somehow tied into a fairy tale, like much of her other work. The details of the potato blight, daily life, and the intricacies of how to survive under such horrible circumstances are all brilliant.

Lorraine is a great character, and Susannah is realistically unmoved for most of the book, although she does come around a bit. Emmett was also a good addition, and the absence of romance is realistic, although we are left believing that there might be one if things ever improved. Even though this book really left me very sad not the thing I needed over a frigid winter break! Would definitely purchase for a high school or a public library.

I wish there had been a clearer plot to move things along when it was super sad which, given the topic, it was all the time. A small element of hope would have helped. What I really think: Even though I can get about two students a year to check out Susan Campbell Bartoletti's Black potatoes: May 07, Marie rated it really liked it Shelves: Before I get to the actual story, I have to say that the part of this book that impacted me the most was the Timeline at the end.

I listened to this on audio and I think the narrator somehow got the perfect tone for reading out the devastating Irish history.

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It made me shake with anger at the English and although I know I'm not as well read on the subject as I could be or want to be , I know enough. Living in Ireland for 6 months and taking classes there only makes this book more heartbreaking. In the classes I took, the professor wouldn't teach about the Potato Famine. It is still too raw for them. And now I think I understand that a little bit better.

As for the story of Lorraine and her family and friends, it was nothing short of disturbing to watch her helplessness as though around her died and emigrated. Even though she was able to help in a small way, it wasn't enough. As far as I know, this is a pretty accurate depiction of what happened during this time period and it's worse than I've ever heard about, read about. I think Napoli does a good job at weaving in the utter desperation of the time without sacrificing the humanity of the characters.

After all, life did go on after but it certainly left a deep mark in history. This is a good intro historical fiction for young teens are might just being getting into the genre or are interested in Irish history. Apr 18, Vicky the Cat Lady rated it liked it Shelves: Her voice is often bland and slow and fluctuates between either overly telly or overly showy. She has a no-frills way of writing that combined with her bald prose makes for some seriously awkward or uncomfortable moments.

A Tale of Courage? Reason 3 I believe in second chances! DJN always had a little speck of something in her books that kept me reading them and in some cases deciding to DNF a few. That same speck is at work here. We get background on the state of Ireland in the mid to late s and how English rule took over, claiming Irish land for its own, and subjugating the Irish people.

Hunger: A Tale of Courage

Hunger hones in on the experience of one young girl, Lorraine, and her small family and the many friends and peasant farmers who live on and work the same land under the rule of a snobby and clueless English landlord. Family is pivotal to the story. She sees little Paddy begin to waste away and loses her closest friends to a raging fever. For another 12 year old girl, one clothed in lacy, frothy, confections of dresses, who hosts tea parties at the edge of the wood for her trio of dollies.

On the china and serviettes, she serves the dolls a daily feast of roast hare and other rich foods. Foods that dolls, porcelain as they are, have no way of eating… It's from this that Hunger encourages us to consider friendships in a new light. Both girls cling tightly to misconceptions. As the two girls bicker and insult one another they come to realize they have more in common than they once thought, and a begrudging respect morphs into a genuine friendship. Lorraine and Susannah both benefit from it. If readers take anything away from Hunger let it be this: We are far more resilient than we give ourselves credit for.

Recommended Again, you can read my full review on my blog. Mar 01, Jodi Gallegos rated it it was amazing. Through the eyes of twelve-year-old Lorraine this haunting novel from the award-winning author of Hidden and Hush gives insight and understanding into a little known part of history—the Irish potato famine.

The Smile by Donna Jo Napoli | www.farmersmarketmusic.com: Books

But this year is different—the spuds are mushy and ruined. Then Lorraine meets Miss Susanna Through the eyes of twelve-year-old Lorraine this haunting novel from the award-winning author of Hidden and Hush gives insight and understanding into a little known part of history—the Irish potato famine. A little known part of history, the Irish potato famine altered history forever and caused a great immigration in the later part of the s.

I was not disappointed. Napoli has once again proven that she is a master in historical fiction. Twelve-year-old Lorraine, awakens one morning to the panicked sounds of her parents desperately trying to salvage their crops from another devastating fungal outbreak.

Lorraine finds herself trying to convince Susannah as to the reality of the plight of the Irish, but Susannah has been raised believing the Irish have every opportunity if only they would take it upon themselves to fulfill them. Hunger is filled with heartbreaking realities and conflicting moral decisions that must be made as Lorraine and her friends face a crisis of historical proportions. I was mesmerized, heartbroken, and could even feel the hunger—and guilt—as I read.

Donna Jo Napoli has proven again that she is a master of historical fiction. Hunger by Donna Jo Napoli, pages. Simon and Schuster, LOW Lorraine is a twelve year old living in Ireland during the potato famine. It is and regardless of the precautions taken by the farmers, the potatoes are rotting, and people are starving.

Lorraine watches as her village grows smaller because people are starving to death, dying of illness or moving away in hopes of better o Hunger by Donna Jo Napoli, pages. Lorraine watches as her village grows smaller because people are starving to death, dying of illness or moving away in hopes of better opportunities. This book is slow and the amount of detail put into their starvation is exhausting. Lorraine is a likable character and the helplessness of those who lived during this famine is conveyed.

The violence is rated PG because Lorraine sees someone shot during an uprising. Mar 23, Lynndell rated it really liked it. This historical fiction tale of the year follows the aftermath of the potato blight in Ireland, How times have changed. The story takes us through how tenants rebel against the landlords and how people die from starvation, injuries from fighting and also sickness.

The postscript states the fictional and true parts of this story and recalls the horribly high death toll because of the potato blight and how the suffering continued for several years. I appreciate the author taking the time for extensive research into Ireland and its history and for describing what the Irish people went through when their crops were devastated.

Feb 05, Annette rated it really liked it. Hunger is a great introduction for younger teens to what is commonly known as the Irish Potato Famine. The story is told from the perspective of a twelve-year-old girl, Lorraine. Her family are tenant farmers and Hunger depicts the extreme hardships of the Irish people during the long winter with no food.

Because of a chance meeting in the woods, Lorraine meets a rich English girl, Susannah, who is the landlord's daughter. Susannah is privileged and has no idea of the suffering of her father's ten Hunger is a great introduction for younger teens to what is commonly known as the Irish Potato Famine. Susannah is privileged and has no idea of the suffering of her father's tenants. She has been told they are lazy. Lorraine tries to set her straight, and Susannah at least helps her with some additional food.

Starvation brings with it diseases and death, and Napoli doesn't shy away from this truth. The English are not made to look very good. The ending does leave the reader with some hope, but if you read the detailed history of Ireland at the end of the book, there is still a lot of hardship ahead for these people. Hunger would be most appealing to middle-grade students, but older students with an interest can also learn from this tale. Hunger is a relatively short book and keeps your attention, so reluctant readers interested in historical fiction should be pointed to this one.

Mar 14, Bish Denham rated it really liked it Shelves: The author, Donna Jo Napoli, obviously did quite a bit of research in writing this book and for me it shows in the small details of life in Ireland during the potato famine. So many things I never knew like, keeping a pig in ones cottage for warmth, being barefoot in winter, having only kale and cabbage to eat with very little or no protein, the horror of the English attitude towards the Irish When people are starving, finding and eating food, becomes central to their lives, and this in a cent The author, Donna Jo Napoli, obviously did quite a bit of research in writing this book and for me it shows in the small details of life in Ireland during the potato famine.

When people are starving, finding and eating food, becomes central to their lives, and this in a central theme. Lorraine, the main character, is such a strong, determined 12 year-old. Her little brother, Patty, is so fragile and lovable and her parents loving and compassionate as they share what little they have with those even less fortunate than themselves.

This story can break your heart, while at the same time making the reader believe in the indomitable will of people to survive under extreme conditions. Sep 28, Erikka rated it really liked it Shelves: While it was a devastating blight and result, it was perhaps even more tragic the way the Irish were treated by their English landlords. They added insult to injury. But as I learned from this book, their unwillingness to have dead bodies littering up the property, as well as the North American shipping need for ballast on the return journey, is what brought so man The Irish Potato Famine has always been an interesting tragedy to read about to me same with the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire.

But as I learned from this book, their unwillingness to have dead bodies littering up the property, as well as the North American shipping need for ballast on the return journey, is what brought so many Irish to America in the s and 50s. History is amazingly interesting when viewed through the lens of cause and effect--the Potato Famine is filled with actions leading to others leading to another leading to seemingly unrelated conclusions. This book was beautifully written, featuring a well-developed MC and showing through one family how the Famine affected an entire nation leading, ultimately, to Irish independence.

But that's a story for another book.

Mar 05, Hilary rated it really liked it Shelves: I was aware of two successive crop failures, and that it spurred a diaspora. I knew that they continued exporting grain throughout. I did not understand the reality of it, how the prejudices worked against them and even came out of this period view spoiler [like sleeping with pigs hide spoiler ]. I did not know that England denied the starvation of almost a quarter of the population.

The desperation of the characters, the community aspect, and even the ending struck me as so real. I did find the infuriating ignorance of Susanna frustrating, even within her role, and not entirely realistic. But that was it Jul 28, Kay Carman rated it liked it.

A Dead Man in Naples

The Nory Ryan trilogy by Giff consisting of Nory Ryan's Song, Maggie's Door, and Water Street, would be a good companion to this story about the Irish potato famine, but from a little older perspective. Those books were juvenile fiction and this one is young adult. The depictions of whole families slowly staring to death amidst brutally cold winters, the sacrifices made to try to save the most vulnerable among them, the ingenuity in finding something edible that could be taken home to be shared w The Nory Ryan trilogy by Giff consisting of Nory Ryan's Song, Maggie's Door, and Water Street, would be a good companion to this story about the Irish potato famine, but from a little older perspective.

The depictions of whole families slowly staring to death amidst brutally cold winters, the sacrifices made to try to save the most vulnerable among them, the ingenuity in finding something edible that could be taken home to be shared with the family or community, is heart wrenching. The loyalty to their native land, and courage against overwhelming odds is inspiring. For those of us who have Irish ancestors who lived in the west counties, it's a sobering and sorrowful read. The role of the British in suppressing the Irish, who they considered "substandard," is at the center of the story.

Jun 18, Shawna Busby rated it liked it. While the book started out slow for me, I eventually trudged my way and the story soon picked up. Shown from a 12 year old girl's perspective, it shows the trials and tribulations the Irish went through during the potato famine. Lack of food, money and the deaths and why so many moved to America. The thought of how the English landlords treated their tenants as if they didn't matter shows how there is discrimination everywhere.

The togetherness the family showed to one another and people around t While the book started out slow for me, I eventually trudged my way and the story soon picked up. The togetherness the family showed to one another and people around them pulled at my heart. It also showed that although you cannot change the circumstances in its entirety you can make a difference locally. Miss Susannah thought she was helping yet at the same time Lorraine sometimes felt she was mean.

Lorraine and her family were starving during the Irish Potato Famine. Lorraine has some life changes after she met Miss Susanna and formed a strange friendship. It is recommended for middle-grade students. The story is interesting and attracting to readers. The rich vocabularies make the story r Lorraine and her family were starving during the Irish Potato Famine. The rich vocabularies make the story readable and appealing. The style of the story gives readers a brief image of the situation. Sep 22, Ellyn rated it really liked it. This novel portrays an extremely important time in Irish history from the eyes of a hardy young girl.

Lorraine is such a strong little girl, and she is forced to grow up quickly when famine grips Ireland. The author does a good job of layering in the prejudices the English AND the Irish held against each other without being too heavy-handed. This would be a great read for kids interested in history, but is definitely a heavy read. The famine is portrayed very realistically. Special thanks to Simo This novel portrays an extremely important time in Irish history from the eyes of a hardy young girl.

Excellent I really enjoyed this book though it was as heartbreaking as it was heartwarming. I loved the characters and I loved the dialogue and how even though it would be easily read by children it held my attention so that I finished it in 2 days. It's been my goal this year to read more about people, places, and experiences far outside my own. And this book fit and satisfied. This book is not yet featured on Listopia.

Mar 09, Sue added it. Did Scampion, an avid bicyclist, die at the hand of a racing rival? Or did he anger a member of the powerful Camorra, a Mafia-like criminal society of the time? Taking place during the Italian-Libyan war in the early s, the story intertwines details of the Naples lottery, the war, bicycling, the Camorra, and daily life in Naples into the leisurely-paced story. Told from multiple points of view, the numerous characters are a bit difficult to keep straight at times in this sixth in the series by the author of the Mamur Zapt series.

Unrest in Italy--the Redshirts are present, as is organized crime running gambling operations in Naples, but the main thing is the Italian army at war in Libya. Another fascinating snapshot of the simmering Mediterranean region just before WWI. And a murder, solved again by Seymour's thoughtful analysis.

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I would probably have en Unrest in Italy--the Redshirts are present, as is organized crime running gambling operations in Naples, but the main thing is the Italian army at war in Libya. I would probably have enjoyed this one more in print. Jul 03, Kay rated it it was amazing. Was ready to toss this -- then spent a sunny afternoon reading slowly and got the depth and the tight, twisted web of history and fell in love with the people and the place yes, Pink Martini "Una notte a Napoli" helped.

Gabriele D'Annunzio figures and the rebellion, and the character are memorable and engaging and this was cleverly woven in with bicycling, politics and the group called Our Friends, cosa nostra types, and foundlings and loyalty and, of course, murder. Intriguing and thoughtful Was ready to toss this -- then spent a sunny afternoon reading slowly and got the depth and the tight, twisted web of history and fell in love with the people and the place yes, Pink Martini "Una notte a Napoli" helped.

Intriguing and thoughtful and colorful--great read for a sunny afternoon. Jan 27, Alan Swift rated it really liked it. Micael Pearce writes dialogue beautifully and his stories meander along as Seymour solves the murder. I'm not sure this fully captured the feel of Naples but the theme was interesting and as always you learn something about the political and military tensions of the time. The characters are a believable and his books capture day to day life really well. Dec 23, Susan rated it liked it Shelves: When Scampion, an erratic but innocuous British consul to Naples is murdered, Seymour is sent from Scotland Yard to investigate.

He and his Moroccan fiancee Chantale stay at a small pensione, where the people are more concerned with their own lives than with a dead Englishman. Seymour also ingratiates himself with the Marchese and the Army officers who were Scampion's best friends. Mar 06, Kim rated it really liked it Shelves: Not a copy cat and probably not equal favorites but after being on the verge of giving up on this one, a few books back started turning into one I see out. Feb 05, Carmen rated it liked it Shelves: His sister thinks that no one hated him.

But then why is he dead? Jun 02, Elizabeth rated it liked it Shelves: The story meanders too much but I enjoy Michael Pearce most of the time. Jan 10, Melinda rated it liked it. Jun 20, Nick Benson rated it really liked it. Good series - good mixture of local colour and the fringe of large scale events working themselves out on a small scale.

Sep 08, Carol Best rated it liked it. It took me awhile to get into this story but I really enjoyed it. Good local colour, humour and history. I will be reading more books by this author. Dlk rated it liked it Dec 26, Jim Hunter rated it it was ok Dec 29, Kathryn Bingman rated it really liked it Jul 17, Martha rated it really liked it Sep 26, PBerry rated it liked it Jun 16,

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