On New Year’s Day 1925 Ivy Rose Murphy awakes to find her world changed forever. Her irresponsible Da is dead. She is grief-stricken and alone – but for the first time in her life free to please herself. After her mother deserted the family, Ivy became the sole provider for her da and three brothers. Pushing a pram around the well-to-do areas of Dublin every day, she begged for the discards of … discards of the wealthy which she then turned into items she could sell around Dublin’s markets.
As she visits the morgue to pay her respects to her Da, a chance meeting introduces Ivy to a new world of money and privilege, her mother’s world. Ivy is suddenly a woman on a mission to improve herself and her lot in life.
Jem Ryan is the owner of a livery near Ivy’s tenement. When an accident occurs in one of his carriages, leaving a young girl homeless, it is Ivy he turns to. With Jem and the people she meets in her travels around Dublin, Ivy begins to break out of the poverty-ridden world that is all she has ever known.
Through Streets Broad and Narrow is a story of strength and determination in the unrelenting world that was Dublin tenement life.
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Sad statement of the impoverished, yet uplifting in the end. Would enjoy the sequel
Fine use of language and story development.
a story of strength and determination the main character is inspirational and this was a good read.
Loved the main character and the trials she went through in life.
I had to get the whole series! I wanted to know what happened!
I feel like I’ve made new friends! The characters are so well presented that they seem like people I really know. Looking forward to the next 3 books in the series.
Someone in difficult circumstances found ways to make the most of life.
Ivy’s world, struggles and many successes were a testament to just how much women do every day out of necessity. When times get tough, often it is the women in families who get them through it. Amazing story!
One of the best series I’ve ever read.
Setting is Ireland 1925. Main character has suffered due to her Irish Father’s love of drink. She faces her struggles, and after many twists and turns triumphs after his untimely death and the heavy-handed Catholic priest who makes her life as miserable as he can. Those she befriends have her back because of her care for their well being through the sharing her business acumen. She wishes to improve their lowly lot in life as she has been there herself. There are three other books, continuing the story of this plucky woman who overcomes great hardship. Great read.
This novel got off to a very slow start and I gave passing thought to throwing in the towel and moving on to another novel. Life is short and the list of books in my queue is long. I’m really glad that I didn’t give in to my impatience.
‘Through Streets Broad and Narrow’ is a wonderful, richly detailed look at a society in transition. The period after WWI up to the worldwide Great Depression saw great changes in rise of business, industry, the expansion of the middle class, and the role of women. Ivy Rose Murphy’s story encapsulates many of those changes. That said, if you are a hard core realist, then you might have to be willing to consciously suspend disbelief in order for this story to work for you.
I won’t bore you with a plot summary, but I will tell you that the author provides excellent character development, richly detailed settings and an engaging plot line. I’m not sure exactly where in the story I transitioned from ‘waiting for something to happen’ to not being able to turn the pages fast enough. I feel like I’m really coming to ‘know’ these characters.
The author was clever about ending this book. There is no cliffhanger per se, but you are left definitely wanting to know more about Ivy Rose, Jem, Liam, Amy Marie, Sadie and John as well as the other large cast of characters that populate the Lane. I certainly hope that the next book will answer some of my burning questions: Will Brother Theo be able to reign in the ominous Father Leary? Will Ivy Rose connect with her mother’s family? Will someone come looking for little Emma? Will Ivy Rose and Jem turn to each other? The questions are many and intriguing.
Bottom line: If you want an accurate glimpse of life among the poor, lower classes of early 20th century Ireland wrapped up in a engrossing story about a strong, focused, generous and ambitious woman, then this is the book for you. Since I am writing this review of book after having read all 4 books in the series, I will tell you that you’re in for a treat beyond happily ever after. I wish you happy reading!
Really enjoying the series!
After finishing this book, I immediately ordered Book 2 and Book 3. I finished Book 2 and reading Book 3.
This is a “feel good story”. I will look forward to reading the sequel.
Can’t wait to read the others.
fabulous…LOOKING FORWARD TO A FOURTH BOOK IN THIS SERIES!
Good book and start to the 4 book series.
Enjoyed the plot, characters and time frame.
A lovely summer read.
This book help my interest, for the most part. These were characters you wanted to aucceed. My only complaint is how repetitive it was. We get it- Ive was a chanp, her family life was rotten, the local parish was led by an unstable, vengeful brute, and Ann-Marie was good at heart despite her spoiled upbringing. I liked the commaraderie of the women (and aome of hem boys and men) of the Lane, but so many points and prejudices (among upper class amd servants alike) became very tesious to read. I did find myself wanting to read the ither books, but have had a bit of a time plowing through them. No doubt about it, though- Ivy, Ann-Marie, and Liam are people you can’t help but love.