Play Book Tag discussion

Through the Waters and the Wild by Greg Fields - 4 stars - My Review

Beautifully written story of family heritage and finding one’s place in life. There are two main stories here: Conor Finnegan, in present time in the US, and his grandfather, Liam Finnegan, in early 20th century Ireland. Conor, working in Washington D.C., experiences dissatisfaction in his relationships and his job. In the middle of the book, we learn Liam’s story of migration from Ireland to the US to escape the violence of civil war. We then return to Conor, as he finds a better path for his life’s work. There are many subtle linkages and parallels between the two stories.

I very much enjoyed this book. It is obviously carefully crafted, filled with evocative passages and atmospheric scenes. I appreciated the inclusion of quotes from other literary works that introduce each chapter. My only difficulty with it was the abrupt shift in the storyline from Conor back to Liam, so perhaps I missed the cue. It is ultimately an uplifting story of how changes in life can turn into improvements, even if we are unaware of it at the time.

This book is due for release in January, 2021. I received an advanced reader’s copy from the publisher via NetGalley.