In September, the group read ‘Sing, Wild Bird, Sing’ by Jacqueline O’Mahony which is set in 1849 on the west coast of Ireland. The country is ravaged by the Potato Famine and the main character, Honora O’Donoghue, has to march miles in freezing conditions, along with her fellow villagers, in the hope their landlords will give them food and, with it, a chance of survival. Devastation and heartache follow, but Honora never gives up looking for a way out. With the hope of a better life in America, she continues moving towards her freedom. The New World, however, brings different challenges with its unfamiliar customs and lack of work, forcing Honora into desperate situations. Ultimately, she is a survivor who is prepared to tackle challenges by making her own decisions in life.
Events are related purely from Honora’s perspective and the reader is drawn into her every thought and emotion. The unimaginable hardships endured during the Irish potato famine are written about in an authentic way and draw inspiration from the real-life tragedy in Doolough. The intertwining of the experiences of the Irish and the North American Cayuse people, both forced off the land they worked and belonged to, explain the strong bond between Honora and Joseph effectively.
The fact that the book was based on an actual march prompted some group members to carry out further research on this period of history and, although some thought the ending to be somewhat contrived, it was felt to be appropriate given Honora and Joseph’s shared experience. It was interesting to read that, in 1847, the Choctaw nation sent money to help the Irish during the Famine and in 1990 a group of Irish people walked the Trail of Tears, from Oklahoma to Mississippi, to mark the forced walk the Choctaws had undertaken in in the 1830s. This close relationship remains up to the present day.
Louise Elsome
‘Bookworms’ Group Coordinator