Rating: 
Summary: A Book to Savor
Review: I have seldom enjoyed a novel as much as I enjoyed Away by Jane Urquhart. The writer's lyrical prose traverses both literal and metaphysical landscapes with equal skill. A well-crafted plot moves the novel along briskly, intriguing characters come vividly to life, and brief detours into ethereal regions of the spirit seem perfectly natural. Away is a delightful read.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful language
Review: In this acclaimed novel by Canadian writer Jane Urquhart, the story is second to the language used. Urquhart writes with such grace and mastery that one is often compelled to re-read large sections just to absorb her words.The story is very compelling, about an Irish family who immigrate from Ulster during the Great Famine. But there have been many other books written on this topic, none of which are remotely as enjoyable to read. It is the unique strength of Urquhart's voice that makes this novel so fine. A novel certainly for any reader interested in Irish and Irish-Canadian heritage, but also very worth reading by any who enjoy good language and style.
Rating: 
Summary: Reincarnation for the Irish
Review: Interesting book for the most part, but it is hard for me to relate with the continuously poor and unexplainable decisions the members of this family make. It's sad to think that a family has no control over a "family curse" that continues through generations and a troublesome male who is reincarnated for successive women in the family. Excellent writing, though. I wish it had left me with a happier and more hopeful feeling inside.
Rating: 
Summary: Lyrical Boredom
Review: Jane Uquhart's novel Away, is about Mary and Eileen, a mother, daughter duo who have their lives changed by romantic, yet tragic encounters, at different times. The novel begins in Ireland, where Mary is possessed by the spirit of a sailor who dies in her arms on Rathlin island. People of the island believed that Mary was possessed by a deamon lover, who took her away from herself, society and her family. After staring death in the face, from the potato famine, Mary and her realistic husband, Brian, migrated to Canada. Even though Mary had left her country, her deamon followed and took her away, forever, leaving behind her son Liam and her daughter, Eileen. After being told the story of her families abandonment by Exodus Crow and former landlord, Osbert, Eileen falls passionately in love with the fiery Irish patriot dancer, Aiden. Uquharts novel is full of the political and spiritual drama of Ireland, and the Irish people. Jane Uquhart is blessed with the ability to write with such magic and lyrical composition, that at times she make the interesting, even more interesting, and consequently the tedious even more tedious. Jane Uquhart's melodious language is both her greatest asset and worst liability.
Rating: 
Summary: a mystical journey floating through time
Review: Jane's writing flows over you like a lace curtain, billowing in an open window, hovering over a soft, warm breath of moist air. Magically she drifts from the dark hills of the Irish potato famine to the shores of Lake Ontario, spanning four generations of special women in one family.
She takes you through vistas of the mind and body which make you yearn to be taken 'away into the other' and loose yourself for just a while. A wonderful journey for those of us that like to drift into the mist that surrounds the night with just a touch of history and geography thrown in for grounding.
Rating:
Summary: An enchanting read, despite the hardship portrayed.
Review: One of the loveliest contemporary novels I've ever read, full of mood and history and sensitivity. This author deserves far more attention than she has received; she can write circles around most of the authors out there, combining poetry, narrative, and a touch of magic. I am eagerly awaiting her next novel
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing.
Review: The lyrical prose and language of Away is its best and worst feature. Urquhart's rich, magical prose, especially in the novel's opening with Mary and her lover from the sea, is wonderful. However, the language is not enough to sustain interest. Urquhart's prose dilapitates into a passive, lazy drawl (which DOES NOT convincingly pass for style) as the "magical" parts tests the reader's patience. Disappointing.
Rating:
Summary: Away brings the lost spirits of Ireland to your heart.
Review: The troubles in Ireland have the roots in centuries of turmoil. The Irish spirituality is innate and as the author weaves a story Irish pain she shares the strength of the Irish. As a third generation Canadian of Irish descent, I needed to know about the Irish soul and why I am the way I am. A fictional account of historic truth
Rating:
Summary: Very captivating read full of intriguing language
Review: This book was recommended to me by an English major. With the skepticism of a non English student, I read on and found myself engrossed in the books characters and story. The story involves the women of successive generations of a single family starting on the shores of Ireland and ending up in the ever-urbanizing world of just outside Toronto. The women of the family and their respective passions are explored in a greatly interesting manner. I fully recommend this text. It greatly surprised me...Thks eddy
Rating:
Summary: Garcia Marquez meets Canada
Review: When Garcia MArquez wrote "One Hundred Years of Solitude" he found out that magic is the real event that changes the world. Urquhart uses the same premise to create a wonderful book, full of phantastic stories written in one of the most aesthetic proses I've ever read. Even though it is not very original (nothing is after Shakespeare and Cervantes), the book is ot only very readable, but also an enjoyable choice for anyone looking of a world so phantastic that seems absolutely familiar.
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