Hope in New York City
The Continuing Story of The Irish Dresser
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"Irish immigrant life in 1840s New York lives and breathes through these pages" — Aine Greaney |
A story of questioning where home is and learning that true belonging endures in the human spirit as well as in the love of family and friends.
This sequel continues the saga of Nora McCabe and her family now dwelling in New York City where they encounter poverty and racism as Irish Catholics and immigrants. Injustice and violence are a matter of course in this mysterious and alluring city filled with strange languages. Desperately homesick, Nora vows to save money and return to her homeland of Ireland. Meanwhile, she becomes a newsboy, meets Walt Whitman, visits Barnum's museum, meets new friends, and experiences an adventure. After purchasing a ticket to return to Ireland, the Astor Opera House Riot of 1849 occurs and her father disappears. Will Nora return to Ireland? Or can she stay and maintain her spirit while finding the true meaning of home?
This is an immigrant story—the kneading and mixing, the failure to rise again and again, but then rising to heights unimagined. It is a story of questioning where real home can be found, not in place, but in the soul.
This sequel continues the saga of Nora McCabe and her family now dwelling in New York City where they encounter poverty and racism as Irish Catholics and immigrants. Injustice and violence are a matter of course in this mysterious and alluring city filled with strange languages. Desperately homesick, Nora vows to save money and return to her homeland of Ireland. Meanwhile, she becomes a newsboy, meets Walt Whitman, visits Barnum's museum, meets new friends, and experiences an adventure. After purchasing a ticket to return to Ireland, the Astor Opera House Riot of 1849 occurs and her father disappears. Will Nora return to Ireland? Or can she stay and maintain her spirit while finding the true meaning of home?
This is an immigrant story—the kneading and mixing, the failure to rise again and again, but then rising to heights unimagined. It is a story of questioning where real home can be found, not in place, but in the soul.
"The novel is full of convincing historical detail. Young readers should enjoy getting to know a courageous and engaging teen-aged heroine, and they will learn a great deal about the Irish immigrant experience." — Historical Novels Review
"Irish immigrant life in 1840's New york lives and breathes through these pages. Cynthia Neale's writing is vivid and lively—so much so that we forget we are reading history and, instead just snuggle up for another well told tale about Nora McCabe." — Aine Greaney, Author of the The Sheepherders Dance and The Big House.
" . . . a story of triumph over adversity that teaches the importance of love, history and unity." — Haywood Fennell, Sr. Author / Playwright, including Coota and the Magic Quilt
"Irish immigrant life in 1840's New york lives and breathes through these pages. Cynthia Neale's writing is vivid and lively—so much so that we forget we are reading history and, instead just snuggle up for another well told tale about Nora McCabe." — Aine Greaney, Author of the The Sheepherders Dance and The Big House.
" . . . a story of triumph over adversity that teaches the importance of love, history and unity." — Haywood Fennell, Sr. Author / Playwright, including Coota and the Magic Quilt
Story of Hope in New York City
1848-1849
1848-1849
I couldn’t leave Norah on the shores of America after I finished writing The Irish Dresser. I felt she wanted me to continue to tell her story in America, which is some of the story of our forefathers and mothers, and in many ways the story of all immigrants who come to America. And sadly today we still struggle with accepting immigrants and the diversity they bring.
The heartbeat of Norah’s story, especially as a displaced immigrant in the 1800’s, is a longing for home. She and I hungered for home together as I wrote this story. What would it be like for Norah to be thrust out of her country during a famine and plunked down in a crowded and filthy city that hated her kind of people? As I researched the time, ugh . . . human nature is impossible, ugly, and maybe my story should be called “Norah and the Gangs of New York.” And then I was sitting one morning meditating quietly and a line came to me: “We are made a little lower than the angels and crowned with glory and honor.” Humans are capable of great love, compassion, and art and we are not doomed and in NYC in 1849, there were hopeful and beautiful things that transpired out of the darkness of human nature. It gave me hope to go on with her story. But what of this longing for home? Norah plans on returning to Ireland, even if she has to go without her parents. It is a fierce and driving passion she possesses in this second book. Norah, still a child, begins to understand that home is that internal and sacred place, that dwelling place within, the special place that no one can evict you from, and hunger and prejudice can’t destroy. This is what Norah tries to find, outside and inside homes, and ultimately both. Children need to know their worth is within and nothing can destroy it. Adults do, as well. Norah grows too big to fit inside the dresser, which is like that secret hiding place every child has, and then it becomes a symbol in the blossoming and maturing home in the heart, as well as home being wherever loved ones are.
HISTORICAL EVENTS:
Walt Whitman
Barnum’s Circus
Astor Opera House Riot
Samuel Morse
The heartbeat of Norah’s story, especially as a displaced immigrant in the 1800’s, is a longing for home. She and I hungered for home together as I wrote this story. What would it be like for Norah to be thrust out of her country during a famine and plunked down in a crowded and filthy city that hated her kind of people? As I researched the time, ugh . . . human nature is impossible, ugly, and maybe my story should be called “Norah and the Gangs of New York.” And then I was sitting one morning meditating quietly and a line came to me: “We are made a little lower than the angels and crowned with glory and honor.” Humans are capable of great love, compassion, and art and we are not doomed and in NYC in 1849, there were hopeful and beautiful things that transpired out of the darkness of human nature. It gave me hope to go on with her story. But what of this longing for home? Norah plans on returning to Ireland, even if she has to go without her parents. It is a fierce and driving passion she possesses in this second book. Norah, still a child, begins to understand that home is that internal and sacred place, that dwelling place within, the special place that no one can evict you from, and hunger and prejudice can’t destroy. This is what Norah tries to find, outside and inside homes, and ultimately both. Children need to know their worth is within and nothing can destroy it. Adults do, as well. Norah grows too big to fit inside the dresser, which is like that secret hiding place every child has, and then it becomes a symbol in the blossoming and maturing home in the heart, as well as home being wherever loved ones are.
HISTORICAL EVENTS:
Walt Whitman
Barnum’s Circus
Astor Opera House Riot
Samuel Morse