A famous but fading comedienne elects to go on a PBS television program that traces the ancestry of celebrities in order to “find their roots.” Although her goal was simply to increase her exposure for an upcoming comedy coming tour, Fiona—adopted as a young girl—inexplicably finds herself fascinated by the story of her previously unknown family heritage as it takes a number of unanticipated twists and turns throughout time, starting with a 16 year-old Molly O’Hara immigrating to America from Ireland in 1898.
Over the following decades, her life is revealed—with both incredible highs and lows—from the turn of the century Manhattan, where Irish Americans are despised and rejected—up to the final chapters in the story when an old woman recalls her life through misty eyes in the early 1960s.
Along the way, some of the most memorable chapters in American history are involved and provide the backdrop to a deeply moving personal journey through time and generations.
From the dirty streets of the Five Points ghetto, the elegance of Teddy Roosevelt’s White House, the Stock Market crash, and on to mob-ruled Chicago, the scourge of polio and the excess of Hollywood, the great saga of life in America is played out in an epic tale of love, betrayal, adventure and a conquering spirit among the women known as “Mourning Doves.”
Jean B. –
“Just finished reading and loved every second of this book! Great story, lots of fascinating history and ultimately a wonderful story of redemption!”
Jack W. –
“Of all of Jamison’s stories, this no doubt will go down as one of his best. A great read.”
Janice C. –
“The story of a young, turn-of-the-century immigrant girl through her twisted and completely unexpected life was a fascinating read.”
Jesse T. –
“One of my favorite novels of all time—such rich characters with depth of emotion and fascinating lives. I already want to start over again with it!”