Away

Away follows four generations of Irish-Canadian women and their connection to both Ireland and the Canadian wilderness. The story begins in Ireland during the potato famine and continues through the family's immigration to Canada in the 1840s. The narrative centers on Mary, who believes she has been enchanted by a sailor washed up on Ireland's shore, and traces how this mysterious "away" state affects the women in her lineage. The bulk of the action takes place in Ontario as the family establishes themselves in their new homeland. Life on the harsh Canadian frontier forms the backdrop for explorations of memory, belonging, and the pull between old and new worlds. The novel integrates Irish folklore and mythology while examining themes of displacement, female identity, and the complex relationships between landscape and human consciousness.

Readers describe this as a slow-paced, poetic narrative that focuses more on atmosphere and character exploration than plot momentum. The lyrical prose style and vivid descriptions of the Irish and Canadian landscapes draw consistent praise. Readers appreciate: - Rich historical details about Irish immigration to Canada - Multi-generational family dynamics - Descriptions of nature and weather - Complex female characters Common criticisms: - Pacing drags in middle sections - Too many narrative tangents - Some find the writing style overly ornate - Confusing timeline jumps between generations Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (4,300+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (80+ ratings) Reader quotes: "Like watching a beautiful but very slow film" - Goodreads reviewer "The prose is gorgeous but the story meanders too much" - Amazon review "Characters feel distant and hard to connect with" - LibraryThing review

Fall On Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald Multi-generational family saga set in Cape Breton traces dark secrets through history with Irish-Canadian roots and themes of memory.

The Stone Carvers by Jane Urquhart The lives of German-Canadian immigrants intersect with the creation of the Vimy Memorial in France during World War I.

The Underpainter by Jane Urquhart An artist reflects on his past relationships and the Canadian landscape while examining themes of memory and loss across decades.

Unless by Carol Shields A mother grapples with her daughter's unexpected withdrawal from society while exploring female experience in contemporary Canada.

Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden Two Cree snipers navigate World War I and return home to northern Ontario in a narrative that weaves indigenous tradition with historical events.

🌊 Jane Urquhart's novel draws heavily from her own Irish heritage and family history of immigration to Canada in the 1800s. 🍀 The book's main character, Mary, is inspired by real stories of Irish women who walked hundreds of miles along Lake Ontario's shoreline searching for lost loved ones. 📚 "Away" won the 1994 Trillium Book Award and helped establish Urquhart as one of Canada's most celebrated contemporary authors. 🌿 In Irish folklore, being "away" refers to someone who has been enchanted or possessed by fairies—a theme that weaves throughout the novel's narrative. 🗺️ The story spans four generations and three countries: Ireland, Canada, and the United States, tracing the impact of the Great Famine across continents and decades.