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soulwinds's review
4.0
4 stars for A Sea of Sorrows
Thoughts and Plot
Johanna Leary is a 13 year old Irish girl who flees Ireland with her family when the Great Famine strikes. They flee the famine but end up in the Typhus Epidemic that grips Quebec as masses of ill Irish people try to escape Ireland for Canada.
On the ship (often referred to as Coffin Ships because the crew packed so many ill people in close quarters) that takes them to Canada, Johanna's family loses its youngest member, Patrick who is not even 1 year old. He dies of Typhus. The ship loses many passengers, and just when they think they are safe in Canada, they are kept upon the ship until the doctor can weed the sick from the well (I would not call them healthy in their condition). Here Johanna loses her mother, who is sent to Grosse Isle where sheds have been set up to serve as hospitals to the sick while keeping them away from the main population. I will never forget how Johanna discovers her mother's death...
Freed from quarantine, Johanna loses he father soon after upon a steamer that is taking them up river. He, too, passes away in one of the fever shed. Now the only left is her older brother Michael. But that small comfort is quickly lost, then he mistakes another's name on the death list as hers. She is, in fact, housed at an orphanage who then sends her out into 'service'.
Side note: Canadian's aren't as welcoming as they should be. Some are, but many are not. They fear the sicknesses the Irish bring, resent them for using up their resources (because they need medical treatment), resent them for 'stealing' jobs (because they are willing to take any pay so they may live), and therefore treat them harshly.
Back to plot: The first lady she works for is horrid and mean. Even though she later thinks it's wrong and would probably lead to her down fall, I was proud and feeling a little defiant on Johanna's behalf when she stood up for herself. Of course, as a result she is dismissed. The second lady is much nicer and takes her away to live with the family in their wonderful home. But tragedy follows Johanna around...
Johanna reads, in my own opinion, very much like a real strong willed 13 year old would when faced with some of these horrid conditions and situations. She often reflects on her loses and finds parallels between her situation and others to find sympathy. She really just wants to help people and to find a place to call home...
In Conclusion
Sea of Sorrows is a fictional diary that is written through a dreadful time in history for those desperate, impoverished Irish families who hoped to make Canada their home. It's estimated that out of a nation of 8 million, 1 million died and at least another 1 million fled the country. It is uncertain how many of the million that fled died, but an estimated 100,000 came to Canada and at least that (or more) fled to the USA. Historical notes for additional information and an Epilogue for Johanna and her brother are provided.
Age range: Middle school and up.
Thoughts and Plot
Johanna Leary is a 13 year old Irish girl who flees Ireland with her family when the Great Famine strikes. They flee the famine but end up in the Typhus Epidemic that grips Quebec as masses of ill Irish people try to escape Ireland for Canada.
On the ship (often referred to as Coffin Ships because the crew packed so many ill people in close quarters) that takes them to Canada, Johanna's family loses its youngest member, Patrick who is not even 1 year old. He dies of Typhus. The ship loses many passengers, and just when they think they are safe in Canada, they are kept upon the ship until the doctor can weed the sick from the well (I would not call them healthy in their condition). Here Johanna loses her mother, who is sent to Grosse Isle where sheds have been set up to serve as hospitals to the sick while keeping them away from the main population. I will never forget how Johanna discovers her mother's death...
Freed from quarantine, Johanna loses he father soon after upon a steamer that is taking them up river. He, too, passes away in one of the fever shed. Now the only left is her older brother Michael. But that small comfort is quickly lost, then he mistakes another's name on the death list as hers. She is, in fact, housed at an orphanage who then sends her out into 'service'.
Side note: Canadian's aren't as welcoming as they should be. Some are, but many are not. They fear the sicknesses the Irish bring, resent them for using up their resources (because they need medical treatment), resent them for 'stealing' jobs (because they are willing to take any pay so they may live), and therefore treat them harshly.
Back to plot: The first lady she works for is horrid and mean. Even though she later thinks it's wrong and would probably lead to her down fall, I was proud and feeling a little defiant on Johanna's behalf when she stood up for herself. Of course, as a result she is dismissed. The second lady is much nicer and takes her away to live with the family in their wonderful home. But tragedy follows Johanna around...
Johanna reads, in my own opinion, very much like a real strong willed 13 year old would when faced with some of these horrid conditions and situations. She often reflects on her loses and finds parallels between her situation and others to find sympathy. She really just wants to help people and to find a place to call home...
In Conclusion
Sea of Sorrows is a fictional diary that is written through a dreadful time in history for those desperate, impoverished Irish families who hoped to make Canada their home. It's estimated that out of a nation of 8 million, 1 million died and at least another 1 million fled the country. It is uncertain how many of the million that fled died, but an estimated 100,000 came to Canada and at least that (or more) fled to the USA. Historical notes for additional information and an Epilogue for Johanna and her brother are provided.
Age range: Middle school and up.
vita_s_west's review
4.0
This was a very heartfelt novel that covered a lot of complex emotions. It was unfortunate that it hit a snag about three quarters of a way through when the protagonist was learning knitting and doing quilting that was quite boring.
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