Shadow of a Century

By: Jean Grainger

Narrated by: Alana Kerr Collins

Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of So Much Owed, winner of Authors Choice Best Historical Fiction Award 2016

A broken woman, New York, 2016. A fearless rebel, Dublin, 1916. And a gripping story that spans a century.

During a time of great upheaval and unrest in Ireland, as men and women run to take up arms against the tyranny and occupation of the British Empire, the lives of three women are forever altered and thereby inextricably linked over the span of a century.

Mary Doyle arrives in Dublin in 1913, doomed, she fears, to a life of domestic service. Instead, however, she finds herself deeply affected by the social and political turmoil of a fledgling nation struggling for independence. Suddenly, all that was once inevitable is no longer a certainty as she is embroiled in the very heart of the Easter Rising.

Scarlett O'Hara has had many hurdles to cross in her life, not least her name. A successful political correspondent, she finds herself at a crossroads when one error of judgement jeopardizes everything she has worked so hard to overcome and achieve. In the process of rebuilding her life, Scarlett faces the difficult and ultimate choice of starting all over again.

At 93 years old, Eileen Chiarello thought her time for adventure and wonder was over, before a chance meeting with Scarlett draws her back to Ireland, the land her parents fought for and loved so passionately. Now, at the end of her life, Eileen has the opportunity to fulfil a promise she never thought she could.

Historically sweeping and beautifully written, Shadow of a Century draws a circle around the Irish Rebellion and carefully traces the magnitude of its significance against the backdrop of three women's lives across history.

©2015 Jean Grainger (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Nice Story

It was an interesting book, with historical references. I enjoyed it. Somewhat predictable but, would recommend

A Gem

loved this Book. by far the best I have ever read by her. very informative about Ireland and the Easter uprising. A wonderful historical novel. Well done to the narrator.

A remembrance of the 1916 Irish Rising

This historical fiction is a beautiful story of Ireland’s fight for independence. It is woven around a great love between 2 people immersed in the centuries old quest. Jean Grainger doesn’t disappoint.

Well worth listening to.

Loved listening to this story. The narrator did an excellent job. The story itself was great. Lots of suspense, strife, history, and love for country as well as for friends and family. I enjoyed the switching back and forth through time to tell the story.

Excellent, excellent story…

Worth every moment…plenty of history to make it interesting and insightful and character development to make it a delightful story…I highly recommend this as a great listen..

Great story with a lot of historical significance

I learned a lot I didn't know about Irish history in this novel. It had me Googling to learn more about what actually happened.

The book had a bit of a slow start, but once it got going, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the parts that took place in the early 1900s in Ireland better than the parts that took place in present day NYC, but the last 1/4 of the book brought both parts together in a satisfying way. I would recommend this book. I did keep my interest and I learned a lot, and by the end, I was invested in the characters.

Loved this book!

The story went between 1916 & 2106. Loved how it all came together at the end. Having been to Ireland twice & seeing where my great grandmother was born I have a special place for Ireland in my heart.

Good story, olnarrator too strident

I enjoyed the story though it was poorly integrated at the start. Narrator's voice irritated me by hitting the c above middle c for several syllables at the beginning of nearly every sentence.

Shadow of a century

I really loved this book! The characters were strong and interesting. The story was amazing.

Heartbreakingly amazing

As a daughter of an Irish Eileen make me cry But it also made me proud to be Irish. It went through so much they gave so much. The story was written so beautifully. The intertwining of the different time periods was well done. I was never confused by it and enjoyed it immensely.