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A review by booksarebrainfood
The Troubles with Us: One Belfast Girl on Boys, Bombs and Finding Her Way by Alix O'Neill
5.0
I don’t normally review books on Goodreads but since I enjoyed this so much I wanted to give it a good send off before it goes out into the world!
The troubles with us is a brilliant blend of northern irish history and the life of Alix growing up and going out into the world - being from NI myself I felt a strong connection with her story and also filled a few gaps in my own knowledge about the history of NI and Belfast.
It is accessible, funny, educational, and just so compelling I read it in just over 24 hours - I found the writing well balanced in terms of giving life to the events of NI through the events of Alix’s life and importance is carefully placed.
It never feels overwhelming in its approach to history and I think it would be a great springboard for someone interested in learning a bit more about NI and why the recent events here have been so scary - if you are like me and get your history through anecdotes then this is perfect.
It was also so refreshing to see elements of my own time growing up in a Catholic school in NI and all of the underage drinking and debauchery that came with. Alix’s connection with those around her and her drive to sponge up more of the world were healing to read about, and the story of her mother was deeply touching and an honour to the lives of Irish mammies everywhere , dutiful daughters and silent soldiers that they are.
I just really loved this with my whole heart , I will be pushing it into the hands of my friends and family until Alix writes something else! Very enjoyable.
The troubles with us is a brilliant blend of northern irish history and the life of Alix growing up and going out into the world - being from NI myself I felt a strong connection with her story and also filled a few gaps in my own knowledge about the history of NI and Belfast.
It is accessible, funny, educational, and just so compelling I read it in just over 24 hours - I found the writing well balanced in terms of giving life to the events of NI through the events of Alix’s life and importance is carefully placed.
It never feels overwhelming in its approach to history and I think it would be a great springboard for someone interested in learning a bit more about NI and why the recent events here have been so scary - if you are like me and get your history through anecdotes then this is perfect.
It was also so refreshing to see elements of my own time growing up in a Catholic school in NI and all of the underage drinking and debauchery that came with. Alix’s connection with those around her and her drive to sponge up more of the world were healing to read about, and the story of her mother was deeply touching and an honour to the lives of Irish mammies everywhere , dutiful daughters and silent soldiers that they are.
I just really loved this with my whole heart , I will be pushing it into the hands of my friends and family until Alix writes something else! Very enjoyable.