A New York Story (Ashes of Fiery Weather)

American Rattlesnake ^ | December 25, 2016 | Gerard Perry

[OddLane]

Most of you will probably remember Kathleen Donohoe, an Irish-American writer and New Yorker-and full disclosure, my cousin-from previous posts on this website. This year saw the publication of her debut novel, Ashes Of Fiery Weather. The title is taken from a poem by Wallace Stevens, Our Stars Come From Ireland, which celebrates the importance of place as a facet of memory.

It’s a fitting entry point to this book, which explores how geography-both in New York City and Ireland-contours our worldview. Ashes also recognizes the importance of history, both on a collective and individual level, which-as the son of a history buff-I can appreciate. From the political impact of the Irish diaspora-including within New York’s civil service-to the way feminism has shaped traditionally masculine professions, it has a panoramic view, even as it remains a deeply personal piece of literature.

This is a multi-generational novel told from the perspective of Irish and Irish-American women whose lives are defined by the actions of the past. The choices they make-and the irrevocable consequences of these decisions-is one of the overriding themes of this novel, as is the evolution of the relationships between these women over time..