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A review by cecilialau_
Before My Actual Heart Breaks by Tish Delaney
4.5
(Btw, I definitely don’t think that the blurb needs to reveal all that it does. But hey, that’s just how I feel. I just don’t think we had to know the “25 years later” part.)
This was so authentic and raw and delicate and heartfelt. There was frustration, miscommunication, mistreatment, things left unsaid or swept under the rug. And then a little bit of joy sprinkled in there as well. Some amazing “side” characters mixed in as well.
The realities of the Troubles and life in NI during the seventies, through to and beyond The Good Friday Agreement was depicted so vividly and emotionally that I could feel it in my bones as if I felt all that Mary felt (pretty much and only vicariously of course).
I have to say it took me 40 pages to get more into the story. Then after 100 it got more “interesting”, and then before the halfway point I read the rest only stopping once (out of necessity, not choice) - it was just so good. I’ve not been able to “let go” of these characters.
We meet Mary when she is only seven years old and follow her for over thirty years on. I was absolutely frustrated with her at times (and adored her), while it was very clear why and how she was the way she was, her insecurities, vulnerabilities, broken heart and broken dreams, uncomfortable and unexplained feelings plus an untrusting nature still hoping for better.
I won’t say more.
I honestly longed for the time when I’d finally read about Mary “succumbing” to her feelings toward John. Thought the new house/passage of time would change that. When John at the end finally tells her that he wanted her to love him back, that was exactly how I felt after she was old enough. I was glad he didn’t pressure her or did anything when she was sixteen. Or even before she was ready to let herself. I’m glad they came together in the end. And that she gained a sort of independence and he got to travel and be alone for a while. Bridie’s death was completely devastating.
This was so authentic and raw and delicate and heartfelt. There was frustration, miscommunication, mistreatment, things left unsaid or swept under the rug. And then a little bit of joy sprinkled in there as well. Some amazing “side” characters mixed in as well.
The realities of the Troubles and life in NI during the seventies, through to and beyond The Good Friday Agreement was depicted so vividly and emotionally that I could feel it in my bones as if I felt all that Mary felt (pretty much and only vicariously of course).
I have to say it took me 40 pages to get more into the story. Then after 100 it got more “interesting”, and then before the halfway point I read the rest only stopping once (out of necessity, not choice) - it was just so good. I’ve not been able to “let go” of these characters.
We meet Mary when she is only seven years old and follow her for over thirty years on. I was absolutely frustrated with her at times (and adored her), while it was very clear why and how she was the way she was, her insecurities, vulnerabilities, broken heart and broken dreams, uncomfortable and unexplained feelings plus an untrusting nature still hoping for better.
I won’t say more.