A review by ktrain3900
Unlikely Rebels: The Gifford Girls and the Fight for Irish Freedom by Ann Clare, Anne Clare

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

2.75

A lesser-known story of the fight for a free Ireland. While their brothers remained largely apolitical, the six sisters of the unionist, mixed Catholic/Protestant Gifford family became involved with the nationalist cause, both in Ireland and abroad in America, with two married to leaders of the Easter Rising. While the book focuses more on the sisters who left the most in writing, Nellie and "John", the book touches on the contributions, personalities, lives, and works of all six. There was a lilting, meandering quality to the writing, leading me to be lost in time a bit at times, and there was some mundane repetition that didn't always work for me. Note that it helps to have a good knowledge of late 19th/early 20th century Irish history, but it's not essential. I'd love to see more about the Gifford sisters.