"Marvelous Story Of Life and Love in Ireland!"
SPELLBOUND by Jeanette Baker is a spectacular story.
Set on Inishmore in the Aran Islands, it is about
Mollie Tierney who was born on Inishmore but raised by her
American mother, Emma, in America after her parents
divorce.
Her 10-year-old brother Danny remains in Inishmore to be
raised by their Irish father. Mollie's sister-in-law,
Kerry, whom she has been corresponding with for several
years but has never met, helps Mollie obtain a fellowship
to
teach school on Inishmore. But before Mollie arrives,
tragic
incidences take both Kerry's and Danny's lives. They leave
three young children and a will giving custody of them to
Emma. However, Kerry's twin
brother, playwright Sean O'Malley, has been caring for the
children in the interim and is reluctant to give them up. Sean and Mollie are attracted to one another from the
beginning. But Sean believes Mollie to be like her mother,
unable to handle the culture change and the isolation of
the
Aran Islands. He is afraid of committing to her - feeling
that she'd leave eventually - just like her mother. He's
also concerned about the children, feeling that being
raised
by Emma in California would be detrimental to them, despite
the wishes of their parents. It isn't too much longer
before
Emma, now happily married , returns to Inishmore as well,
and to an encounter with the ex-husband she hasn't seen in
28 years. A disastrous oil spill not only brings the island to an
economical standstill but also American, Russ a
veterinarian from California, to the area to help save some
of the marine animals. It's clear that Russ finds Mollie
attractive and Emma tries her best to orchestrate a love
match between the two feeling that Mollie would be much
better off with Russ than Sean. It's clear though that
Mollie's heart is with Sean. She just has to get him to
realize she is not her mother. Jeanette Baker has written a gem of a story that portrays
the struggles of the fishermen on a small island and a
culture, which is unique to them. She does a wonderful job
with the children, Marni and Caili, making them so lovable
and likeable, I wanted to take custody of them! There is
also a subplot involving Mollie's father, Patrick, and the
woman who loved him even before he met Emma. Is it too late
for them to try again? This is Sean and Mollie's story. They are both
sympathetic characters and Russ, although vying for
Mollie's affections, isn't a villain either. Mollie is
portrayed as a mature young woman, free of the game playing
found in so many contemporary heroines. She is intelligent,
independent, but unable to resist Sean O'Malley. Will Sean and Mollie realize the love they share is real
before a tragedy threatens to rip them apart? Baker excels in so many areas with this book it's difficult
to know where to begin. The feelings Sean has regarding his
nieces and nephew are so endearing. The resentment he feels
towards Mollie with the knowledge that Kerry and Danny
wanted their children cared for by Emma, is very
believable.
His fear of commitment to Mollie, despite his feelings, is
also realistic, given her similarities to her mother. Every character in this book is so well drawn not just
the two main characters. They all seem like people we know or would like to know. And with Baker's vivid descriptions,
I could swear I could smell the peat fires and the brewing
tea but the real star of this book is the island of
Inishmore (Inis MŪr). The largest of the three Aran
islands, which lie just off the west coast of Ireland.
Most of the inhabitants of the Aran islands rely more on
old ways than new conveniences. Their isolation dictates
that they be self-sufficient because there are times when,
as near as they are to the mainland, transportation there
is impossible.The main forms of income for the inhabitants
are fishing and tourism. With Baker's vivid description,
even those unfamiliar with the area will get a
good idea of what it looks like. Read and enjoy. I am glad I have Jeanette Baker's other
books in my TBR pile because I certainly would be
searching for them after reading this one. I'm also ready
to call Aer Lingus and book a flight to Ireland!
Reviewed by Maudeen Wachsmith
Posted June 29, 2001
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