Shanty Gold Book Reviews
What readers are saying about Shanty Gold
“I am the coordinator of Irish Cultural/Educational programs at an Irish Center in The Capitol of New York State.
I had a special interest in reading Shanty Gold since the author Jeanne Charters is presenting her book at our September 23rd 2015 meeting.
I was not disappointed since the book is a great story about the experiences of many of our Irish relatives who came to the United States at the height of the Irish Famine 1845 to 1855, the coffin ships many found transport in, the rape and slaughter they faced, and finally the perseverance needed to survive in Boston Massachusetts where no Irish need to apply for jobs.
The central characters Mary Boland and Kamua Okafor, a black boy, had similar horrendous experiences from a society with rampant prejudices.
The book achieved its purpose better in many ways of getting you in touch with the Irish experience compared to a lecture covering the same topics.
I look forward to the two books which are to follow completing this trilogy of Irish immigrant pain, strength and success.
Books like this prove that historic fiction can be one of the many avenues to enjoy the culture and history of people.”
~ John W. Carswell
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“This was a fantastic book. Highly recommended!”
“So much is to be learned from Shanty Gold by Jeanne Charters: racism, human trafficking, starvation, discrimination, rape, murder, bullying, gangs of Boston and most importantly survival.
Mary Boland is one tough cookie. Compared to the kids today she is Wonder Woman at thirteen.
Geez! She had to flee a famine, was raped by the crew of a coffin ship, impersonated a banshee (with the help of Kam), which made a few of the bad guys jump into shark-infested waters, and then had to tackle a whole new world, one she never thought so big. At thirteen!”
~ CJ Loiacono
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” I highly recommend it.”
“We sail with Mary Boland from Ireland and are immediately caught up in the challenges this young immigrant faces.
Jeanne Charters’ Shanty Gold is the story of a young Irish girl’s struggles told with an authentic, historically accurate voice.
Charters captures the wistfulness of leaving home, the desperation of surviving a brutal voyage, and the ultimate triumph of a girl who won’t give up.
The story is taut, the characters compelling, and it left me with a new appreciation for the grit of the people who came before us to America.”
~ Sallie Bissell, author of the Mary Crow Mystery Series
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“I highly recommend it. Five Stars.”
“Don’t miss this book! Shanty Gold is the story of Mary Boland, a young Irish girl orphaned in the potato famine, who is forced to make her way alone to America and a new life.
The story is full of adventure and unforgettable characters, and Mary’s courage and spirit will, no doubt, inspire many a young woman.
Shanty Gold is the kind of well-researched historical fiction that makes one feel that he or she has time-traveled to the bowels of the coffin ships and the cobbled streets of 19th century Boston.”
~ Beth Robrecht
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“My rating of Shanty Gold is 5 Stars!”
“To read Shanty Gold is to immerse oneself in a wild ride of discovery, romance, and the search for a new way of life. This odyssey is not without terror and overcoming the odds along the way, but at its heart, it is a story of character.
As readers, we become Mary Boland, the inexperienced thirteen-year-old girl who trusts too easily and boards a ship for Boston, leaving behind her beloved Ireland.
With the death of her mother and baby sister and the disappearance of her “da,” it is really the only choice for survival.
Mary soon finds herself evading evil at every turn. She befriends Kam, an African boy on the ship, and the two youngsters cleverly figure out how to survive, and eventually, thrive.
Shanty Gold is a tale that will grab your heart and senses, with twists and turns along the way, as Mary and Kam grow up together and find their true passions. ”
~ Susan Blexrud, best selling romance writer
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“I loved this book.”
“Most of the book takes place in Boston as two youngsters try their best to survive in a new and strange world. The book tackles hard issues such as rape, murder, slavery, race, and gender in a frank but beautiful story.
The story is so well-written I found myself unable to put it down. I just had to know what would happen to the characters. How would they survive in such a harsh world at such young ages? The story is a happy one, but it isn’t sappy or contrived. The story feels very realistic and it is clear the author did a lot of research.
The book is not a romance but is a historical novel, though there are romantic elements. The book is appropriate for teen readers.
Shanty Gold is the first part of a planned trilogy, and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books.”
~ Amanda Roberts
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“Totally loved this read.”
“Easy to get hooked on the indomitable Mary Boland. Shanty Gold is a terrific choice for book clubs, as it carries many story lines for discussions. For the author’s first novel, it is a hit.”
~ Doodles, a Kindle ebook reviewer – 5 Star rating
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“Just finished Shanty Gold—absolutely loved this book”
“Although I do enjoy reading from many genres, historical fiction tends to be something I haven’t included as much and this just changed that for me.
Enjoyed this story straight from the first page. Our protagonist, Mary, is such a thoroughly engaging character,coupled with her best friend, Kam,that I found myself reading the night away.
The story unfolded in ways I surely didn’t expect; the historical richness made me appreciate my own Irish ancestors in ways I should have far sooner, for their suffering and perseverance.
The author did a great job of creating characters that reminded me of the traditions that exist today,of unswerving loyalty,strength, and pride. Looking very much forward to the next in the series.”
~ Molly CG
Read other reviews about Shanty Gold on Amazon.
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What critics & bloggers are saying about Shanty Gold
Kirkus Reviews …Exciting…Gripping
“Charters interweaves many important topics—immigration, civil rights, women’s rights—into her exciting novel. The narrative paints an evocative portrait of South Boston in the era of Irish immigration, and the supporting characters are particularly well-represented. ”
Source: Kirkus Reviews
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Readers’ Favorites
“I so enjoyed reading Shanty Gold. Author Jeanne Charters has done an absolutely wonderful job in creating a story line and characters that her readers will connect with, relate to, and continue to think about long after the book is done. If that isn’t a hallmark of a wonderful writer, I don’t know what is.
When I picked up Shanty Gold, I intended to only read a few chapters and then pick up again the next day. Well, several hours late into the night, and I was finishing the last page. I simply could not put it down.
Any reader who enjoys historical fiction or simply a great read would love Shanty Gold. I highly recommend this book, and I am certainly hopeful that author Jeanne Charters is already hard at work on her next book. I, for one, will be waiting for the next offering from this author.”
Source: Readers’ Favorites
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LeighAndersonRomance.com
“The story is so well-written I found myself unable to put it down. I just had to know what would happen to the characters. How would they survive in such a harsh world at such young ages? The story is a happy one, but it isn’t sappy or contrived. The story feels very realistic and it is clear the author did a lot of research.
The book is not a romance but is a historical novel, though there are romantic elements. The book is appropriate for teen readers.
Shanty Gold is the first part of a planned trilogy, and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books.”
Source: Leigh Anderson rromance Blog