The Sisters of Belfast, Melanie Maure
The Sisters of Belfast, Melanie Maure
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The Sisters of Belfast
A Novel

Author: Melanie Maure

Narrator: Aoife McMahon

Unabridged: 11 hr 18 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 02/27/2024


Synopsis

In the spirit of Heather Morris, Kate Quinn, and Pam Jenoff, an enthralling and deeply moving story that begins during World War II, about orphaned twin sisters in Ireland whose lives diverge for decades, until fate—and faith—reunite them in the twilight of their lives.Orphaned during the Second World War, Aelish and Isabel McGuire—known as the twins of Belfast—are given over to the austere care of the Sisters of Bethlehem. Though they are each all the other has, the girls are propelled in opposite directions as they grow up. Rebellious Isabel turns her back on the church and Ireland, traveling to Newfoundland where she pursues a perilous yet independent life. Devout Aelish chooses to remain in Northern Ireland and takes the veil, burying painful truths beneath years of silence. For decades the two are separated, each unaware of the other’s life. But after years of isolation Aelish is unexpectedly summoned to Newfoundland, where she and her estranged sister begin to bridge the chasm between them.Reunion brings to light the painful secrets and seismic deceptions that have kept these sisters apart, leaving the McGuire twins to begin reconstructing their understanding about themselves as women and as family–what they know of love, hope, and above all, forgiveness.A story of faith—in religion, in the world, and in one another—Sisters of Belfast is a heartbreaking, tragic, and deeply moving novel about survival and the enduring power of sisterhood.

About Melanie Maure

Melanie Maure holds a Master’s in Counselling Psychology and lives in central British Columbia. She is second generation Irish and spends a great deal of time in Ireland, which is an enduring source of inspiration for her work. Sisters of Belfast is her debut novel.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Karren on January 25, 2024

Twin sisters Aelish and Isabel McGuire lived with their parents in Belfast, they thought they were safe in Ireland and until they’re home on Donegall Street’s bombed on Easter Tuesday by the Germans in 1941. Aelish was taken to an orphanage called the Sisters of Bethlehem and Isabel was hurt and goe......more

Goodreads review by Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews on February 27, 2024

Going to be a January and a 2024 favorite!! A FABULOUS, WONDERFUL READ!! A bombing that killed their parents in 1941 in Dublin put twins Isabel and Aelish in an orphanage run by nuns. Isabel was rebellious and Aelish was compliant. Isabel escapes, but Aelish remains and becomes a nun. In 1955, Isabel co......more

Goodreads review by Michael on April 04, 2024

Sisters, Babies This was an unexpected treat. I am drawn to a lot of Irish literature, but this one had been sitting nonchalantly on my TBR list for a while. When I finally did get around to reading / listening to it, I was hooked. During the World War II German bombing of Belfast, twin sisters, Aeli......more

Goodreads review by Shannon on March 19, 2024

A great historical fiction debut by a new Canadian author about two Irish twin sisters orphaned during WWII whose lives diverge and then come together again in the 1950s. Moving and heartfelt, this was a touching story about motherhood, first love, loss, secrets, faith, family and forgiveness. Perfe......more

Goodreads review by Linda on March 04, 2024

What a fantastic debut novel. This author is definitely one to watch for. This book takes you into the lives of Irish Nuns and an orphanage. Also into the lives of twins Aelish and Isabel McGuire. What happens to them after they lost their home and their parents. Aelish decides to join the order and......more