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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Extraordinary story of a young woman in early 20th Century Ireland, who finds success by creating a series of businesses which pick up the prospects of many around her. The plot is fascinating and the characters compelling. Hard to put down. I’d give this my highest rating.
I enjoyed all the books in the series and was sorry there are no more to read.
Enjoyed this author very much
I loved this book, the main character, Ivy, lives in very difficult circumstances and is confronted by further difficulties caused by sexist thoughts and actions of men in her time. Despite these difficulties she not only flourishes, she helps many other women and their families rise above their lowly circumstances.
Just ok. Some will like, others not.
I so enjoyed Ivy Rose and the other main characters that as soon as I finished this book I got the other three books in the series. The story seemed very realistic and helped me better understand the life and times. Ivy is a wonderful model for women with a dream and the ambition & gumption to work hard to get what they want. Fabulous book and a fabulous series.
This was a pleasant surprise! The characters are wonderfully written and the story kept changing and moving! So glad there is a part two!
LOVED this book and the 3 that followed it! Great characters, wonderfully developed story line. Definitely a page turner, and when done, I couldn’t wait to get to the next book in the series!
Irish thru & thru
One of the best books I’ve read this year! The author puts you in the world she created, the world of the very poor in England in that time period. The class distinctions of the worst sort are overcome and the hero persists.
Loved characters. Ivy and Jem are amazing. Loved the whole series Highly recommend
I loved it. I am reading the sequel now.
I don’t think many young women of this era had her spunk and drive. It was great to see!
I loved this book. Have fallen on love with the characters. Am currently reading second book in series and cannot wait to see what happens next!
This book started me on a trilogy of tales that follows the life of main character Ivy. Put your feet up for a good summer read. This uplifting character, a young woman living in the a Dublin slum, finds herself impoverished and alone. Luck, resolve and great resourcefulness rescues her and many about her as she struggles to survive. Jackson has created a character who you will root for and admire as she finds a way through all the challenges that confront her. Sentimental? Yes. A bit corny even ? Yes! What fun to escape to Ivy’s world. I decided to stay with her for the entire trilogy.
More than just a story, lots of mind solutions to society oroblems!
I loved his book from beginning to end, and wished it to go on and on. I highly recommend this book, especially if one has any Irish heritage.
An interesting glimpse into a different culture, a different time.
Excellent
Not really interesting