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James Stephens, an Irish poet and novelist was reared in the slums of Dublin. He writes about the claustrophobia of the city, the small rooms the crowds and the loneliness but also of the liberation of the open streets. This is a story that is almost fairy tale like in quality. Mrs. Makebelieve (the charwoman and Mary’s mother) has to work as a Charwoman but she embraces her freedom and strongly believes that her “ship will sail in” and she will be rich someday. Mary is her only daughter and she
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An unusual little book. A story of Dublin, it starts off being almost twee. I'm not 100% clear why this book is in the 1001 Books--but I have not read a lot of Irish lit, and certainly not of urban Irish lit. Per the text in 1001 Books, this is an unusual book about Dublin--it is female, it is poor, it is claustrophobic.
Teen Mary Makebelieve (really) lives with her charwoman mother in one room in a Dublin boardinghouse. While her mother goes out to work every day, Mary wanders the city, observin ...more
Teen Mary Makebelieve (really) lives with her charwoman mother in one room in a Dublin boardinghouse. While her mother goes out to work every day, Mary wanders the city, observin ...more
Once again this is a book that I would never had read if I wasn't trying to read as many of the 1001 Books You Should Read Before You Die and I'm so glad that I did. I really enjoy this relatively quick read about a young girl growing up in poverty and how she begins becoming independant. I also really liked the mother's character in this book, along with the neighbor lady and her brood!. Great read.
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Jul 21, 2016
Anna Fennell
marked it as to-read
Apr 21, 2017
Bryan--The Bee’s Knees
marked it as boxall-list-only
Dec 28, 2017
Jamie Barringer (Ravenmount)
marked it as 1001-tbr
Jan 13, 2018
Sorobai
marked it as to-read
Mar 22, 2022
Alec
rated it
really liked it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
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1001-read
Jan 07, 2021
Kayla Tocco
marked it as to-read
