Shadow of a Century, Jean Grainger
Shadow of a Century, Jean Grainger
List: $17.99 | Sale: $12.59
Club: $8.99

Shadow of a Century
An Irish Love Story

Author: Jean Grainger

Narrator: Siobhan Waring

Unabridged: 10 hr 56 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Jean Grainger

Published: 04/27/2026


Synopsis

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 judgment jeopardises 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 ninety-three 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.

About Jean Grainger

Jean Grainger has worked as a university lecturer, a secondary school teacher, a playwright, and a tour guide. She is the author of several novels, including Shadow of a Century, Letters of Freedom, and Under Heaven's Shining Stars. She lives in Cork, Ireland.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Liesel on December 30, 2016

I enjoyed this book! A cute love story mixed in with the history of Ireland's struggle for independence. As an American who is very proud of the founding of our nation, and someone who comes from the Clan Grant of Scottland (They fought in the Jacobite uprising against the British), I am drawn to th......more

Goodreads review by Laura on December 19, 2021

If only it had focused on the past and deleted everything present day! The present day was so ridiculous and just took away from the story line (also it felt overly explanatory of how we should view life, parents, etc.) The story of Easter Rising was great and deserved more focus. Some pieces felt t......more

Goodreads review by Maxine on April 13, 2022

Scarlett O'Hara (No, not that Scarlett O'Hara) grew up in New York in an abusive home with a brutal alcoholic Irish father and a Southern Belle mother who turned to religion, movies, and obsessing about Hollywood stars to cope with their unhappy life. When the father is killed in an accident, Scarle......more

Goodreads review by Nancy on July 06, 2016

Two time periods - Ireland in the 1910s and present day U.S. The author jumps back and forth telling each story. The first time the story switched back in time, I though it was jarring. Suddenly I was reading about totally different characters, which at the time, had nothing to do with the ones I ha......more

Goodreads review by Ann on June 25, 2017

Two stories told in parallel. The modern day story, so-so, but the historical story, wow! Vivid narration of the Easter Rising in Dublin, 1916. Well told! I felt like I was there.......more