2.75 stars

"The American Girl" started out really strong in my opinion, but then it kind of lost me. I liked the general plot of this novel and it took on a very interesting topic and I definitely liked the main plot line. Unfortunately, there were too many plot lines to follow and the novel didn't really manage to develop them all to a satisfying level. Due to the many different storylines, many characters remained rather under developed and many of the major plot developments felt rather rushed.

This is a nice enough story but nothing unexpected, I pretty much guessed what would happen most of the time, but it's a pleasant enough uncomplicated read. Unfortunately for me as it became a bit predictable, I struggled to finish even though i'd taken it on a beach holiday and had plenty of time available to read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It starts in the late 60s when Rose is sent from America to her aunt who is a nun in Ireland to have her baby that she got pregnant with aged 17. Rose desperately wants to keep her baby but she is forced to have her adopted. 40 years later Martha decides to track her mother down. She is recently separated with a 17 year old daughter of her own. She has always known she is adopted but wants to know her roots. A great read of sad events that happened in real life. Unbelievable that people were treated in such a way all in the name of religion. There are lots of family secrets that come out into the open which shows how much we are prepared to do to save face sometimes.

Transported back in time to 1960s Boston and Rose is 17, pregnant and being shunted across to her parents homeland to have her baby in Ireland. Fast forward to present day Dublin and that baby is Martha, who encouraged by her daughter starts looking for her birth parents. The truth about adoptions in Ireland at that time is uncovered, along with long buried family secrets. It makes an emotional read and one I simply couldn't put down.

Totally absorbing and utterly realistic tale. Well crafted and page turning, it evoked vivid imagery of both Ireland and the USA. An strong insight into attitudes and trauma without too much shock or unnecessary prose. Lots of interesting characters who I'd like to have known more about. A great read 4.5*

This book had me hooked from start to finish. The storyline is so topical, particularly in light of yet more recent revelations about the mother and baby homes. A young girl has a baby in one of Ireland's mother and baby homes and has to give her up for adoption. But this one is slightly different, Rose was sent to Ireland from America, by her Irish-American parents. The mother and baby home was depicted very well, not exaggerated, but still showing what girls went through even in the less abusive of the homes. It really shows what people's attitudes were like to unmarried mothers at the time. The story then moves to the present day and it all begins to link up. How Martha tries to find her birth parents, and the effect it has on everyone in both families is fascinating. There are secrets, and twists, and it makes for a really engrossing read.
Yet another excellent book from this highly accomplished author. Highly recommended.

What an absolutely beautiful wonderful book. I actually cannot say anymore about this book except to say please READ IT