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The Hungry Road

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The Hungry Road

By: Marita Conlon-McKenna
Narrated by: Caroline Lennon
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About this listen

Ireland’s hopes for freedom are dashed with the arrival of a deadly potato blight that strikes terror in the heart of its people.

1845. Seamstress Mary Sullivan’s dreams of a better future are shattered as she looks out over their ruined crop. Refusing to give in to despair, she must use every ounce of courage and strength to protect her family as they fight to survive.

Dr Dan Donovan is medical officer to the Skibbereen Union. The arrival of ‘The Hunger’ soon brings starvingmen, women and children crowding into the town and the workhouse, desperate for assistance.

Fr John Fitzpatrick’s faith is tested by the suffering that surrounds him as his pleas for help fall on deaf ears.

Inspired by true Irish heroes, The Hungry Road is the heartbreaking story of the Great Irish Famine told by one of Ireland’s best-loved writers.

©2020 Marita Conlon-McKenna (P)2020 Bolinda Publishing Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Ireland

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Critic reviews

‘Beautiful and moving ... historically true and fictionally vivid.’ (Sunday Times)
‘Powerful ... Conlon-McKenna has assembled an excellent cast of characters ... Myriad small, moving details help to illustrate the enormity of the tragedy.’ (The Irish Independent)
All stars
Most relevant  
I thought this was wonderful. A searing look at the famine from the perspective of a family caught up in it, a doctor trying to help people / the town through it (a real life character) and a local priest, probably the least served as a character, trying to comprehend it.

I read Under the Hawthorn Tree as a child in school and I always think of it as the first book drawing me to reading. I remember so well the effect the story had on me. I was admittedly unsure with this novel if it could meet that background but it really does. It is so powerfully told and is not bleak for the tale it is telling. I found in the end I was hoping she would not wrap up the story for the family involved, the Sullivans, as they could easily drive another book.

Perfect reading of the book too.

So powerful

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Excellent narration.
Another great read by Marita Conlon -McKenna who is wonderful at telling stories. I was able to connect to the characters and to understand the harshness of the lives suffered during the famine

Gripping

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This was a gripping and heartbreaking story of a family's struggle during the famine.

A gripping story of life during the great hunger.

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I moving and detailed story of the suffering and endurance of people in West Cork during the Great Famine.
The experience of two different classed families is beautifully portrayed in this novel giving us an insight and familiarity to these people. Maria's discriminations and evidence of historical events brings the reader back in time to walk with these people on their journey.
The narrator, Caroline, reads clearly and with conviction and expressive tone.
I would certainly recommend this book to a friend young adult or any adult age.

Humbling and heartbreaking

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A really lovely listen, it made me smile and it made me cry! Sparked an interest in the famine history.

Wonderful

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Very disappointing. Couldn’t warm to any of the characters. Drawn out way too much and repetitive.

Boring

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Very disappointed, found this narrator very hard to listen to. I couldn't get into the story at all. Can't give much of a review of the story as I just couldn't listen - I listen to audible mostly at bedtime so maybe it might work for others. Listen to the sample first.

Shrill narration

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