Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Modern Library (1912), Edition: First Modern Library Edition, Hardcover, 263 pages
Description
The book has no illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Publisher: London Macmillan; Publication date: 1917; Subjects: Fiction / Historical; Fiction / Literary;
User reviews
LibraryThing member Lynsey2
An Irish fairy tale where dreams come true. While well written I had a hard time with the characters and basically found the story to be uninteresting. For a short book, I really struggled to finish it and wanted to cast it aside half way through.
LibraryThing member Dreesie
An unusual little book. A story of Dublin, it starts off being almost twee. I'm not 100% clear why this book is in the 1001 Books--but I have not read a lot of Irish lit, and certainly not of urban Irish lit. Per the text in 1001 Books, this is an unusual book about Dublin--it is female, it is
Teen Mary Makebelieve (really) lives with her charwoman mother in one room in a Dublin boardinghouse. While her mother goes out to work every day, Mary wanders the city, observing. She makes their meals and cleans their room, but does her first paying job when her mother is very ill (and she takes her place). A story of the poor in Dublin, who window shop for entertainment and pawn what they own when they are broke. Neighbors can be trusted to help out in times of need. Perhaps, even dreams can come true--if you let them.
A very quick read.
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poor, it is claustrophobic.Teen Mary Makebelieve (really) lives with her charwoman mother in one room in a Dublin boardinghouse. While her mother goes out to work every day, Mary wanders the city, observing. She makes their meals and cleans their room, but does her first paying job when her mother is very ill (and she takes her place). A story of the poor in Dublin, who window shop for entertainment and pawn what they own when they are broke. Neighbors can be trusted to help out in times of need. Perhaps, even dreams can come true--if you let them.
A very quick read.
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LibraryThing member Kristelh
James Stephens, an Irish poet and novelist was reared in the slums of Dublin. He writes about the claustrophobia of the city, the small rooms the crowds and the loneliness but also of the liberation of the open streets. This is a story that is almost fairy tale like in quality. Mrs. Makebelieve
“She wanted to walk in the solitude which can only be found in crowded places.”
“Young girls dance by, each a giggle incarnate.”
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(the charwoman and Mary’s mother) has to work as a Charwoman but she embraces her freedom and strongly believes that her “ship will sail in” and she will be rich someday. Mary is her only daughter and she is very protective. There is some very good things about this mother daughter relationship. She holds on to her daughter and maybe keeps her young but she also prepares her for her future marriage. Mary is nearing 16 or turns 16 during the story and she is just becoming aware of her body changing into a woman’s and she is also becoming aware of men. Stephen’s picture of Dublin (often described as a man’s town) is presented to the reader as both domestic and urban. This city comes alive in Mary’s eyes as she wanders through the city during the day while her mother is working. The author is known for his retelling of Irish myths and fairy tales. This felt like a retelling of Cinderella who worked like a charwoman for her stepmother only Mrs Makebelieve is quite proud and will be no one’s slave. A couple of quotes from the story that I liked and describes Dublin and the second one demonstrates the lyrical quality of the author’s words; “She wanted to walk in the solitude which can only be found in crowded places.”
“Young girls dance by, each a giggle incarnate.”
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LibraryThing member thedugan
Perhaps worth reading just for the author's sudden musings on life, poverty, and relationships which break up the mostly mundane story.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1912
ISBN
none