Becoming Finola

Rating:
Summary: Wanting to Become Finola, too
Review: In this strikingly present novel, Shea dips you by the toe into the village life of Booley, Ireland. The reader easily finds herself becoming Sophie, the narrator. We are the outsider, suddenly immersed in this simplistic, artistic life into which Sophie metamorphosizes. From the first day, when she straightens the merchandise in Liam's shop out of impulsive need for order, Sophie finds a place where she belongs, a place she never knew she was looking for. Sophie becomes Finola: an artisan of beaded jewelry, onto which she endows virtues, assigned according to the charms strung onto them, assigned on a whim, on a wish. Hers is a world into which we all long to disapperar. Into another world, another country, another life. The magical bracelts, in a way, narrate the story, and leave you wishing that you, too, could BECOME FINOLA.

Rating:
Summary: strange but exhilarating character study
Review: In western Massachusetts, Gina Stebben's husband dies in an SUV accident and her daughter leaves stating the parent she loved was gone. Not long afterward, she loses her job. Her best friend Sophie White provides support to help Gina make it. When Gina decides to travel to Booley, Ireland, Sophie accompanies her. On their first day in town, Sophie meets Liam Kessem, owner of a messy jewelry store called Finola's after his former girlfriend who left two years ago with a German stud.

The next day Gina realizes she made a mistake and heads home for states after insisting Sophie remain in Ireland. As Sophie takes over the role of Finola at the store and in the town, she falls in love with Liam. He insists he loves his American, but she believes he still desires Finola, a legend in the town of Booley. Once her vacation is over, she plans to go home, wiser, nurturing, but heartbroken as the lesson is "parting is such sweet sorrow".

BECOMING FINOLA is a strange but exhilarating character study with a lot of romance in the air. Readers will be surprised by the early twist as this is not Gina's story, but instead is a deep look at Sophie competing with a local legend by adopting much of Finola's pizzazz. Though a final crossing seems unnecessary, Gina and Liam on the surface carry this delightful tale, but it is the conceptual image of who was the real Finola that will intrigue the audience.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: strange but exhilarating character study
Review: In western Massachusetts, Gina Stebben's husband dies in an SUV accident and her daughter leaves stating the parent she loved was gone. Not long afterward, she loses her job. Her best friend Sophie White provides support to help Gina make it. When Gina decides to travel to Booley, Ireland, Sophie accompanies her. On their first day in town, Sophie meets Liam Kessem, owner of a messy jewelry store called Finola's after his former girlfriend who left two years ago with a German stud.

The next day Gina realizes she made a mistake and heads home for states after insisting Sophie remain in Ireland. As Sophie takes over the role of Finola at the store and in the town, she falls in love with Liam. He insists he loves his American, but she believes he still desires Finola, a legend in the town of Booley. Once her vacation is over, she plans to go home, wiser, nurturing, but heartbroken as the lesson is "parting is such sweet sorrow".

BECOMING FINOLA is a strange but exhilarating character study with a lot of romance in the air. Readers will be surprised by the early twist as this is not Gina's story, but instead is a deep look at Sophie competing with a local legend by adopting much of Finola's pizzazz. Though a final crossing seems unnecessary, Gina and Liam on the surface carry this delightful tale, but it is the conceptual image of who was the real Finola that will intrigue the audience.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: A "Brigadoon" for our time
Review: Sophie White is a good friend. Gina Stebbins is going through a tough time, and Sophie is on hand to be her cheerleader, coach and companion. When Gina gets the almost-crazy notion that a trip from Massachusetts to Booley, Ireland, will give her all the answers, Sophie goes along to lend her support. Quite unexpectedly, Booley casts its magic on Sophie instead. Gina quickly goes back home, and Sophie remains to take over the identity left behind by craftswoman Finola O'Flynn.

Finola was everyone's friend and confidant when she lived in Booley. Her influence seems to be everywhere. Her name graces the shop where Sophie finds work, where the boss was once Finola's lover. Sophie eases into Finola's shoes -- reluctantly, at first; and then with more confidence as she often ponders what an independent woman like Finola would do in any situation. As is often the case, the myth is grander than the reality. Sophie turns out to be a better Finola than Finola really is/was.

Shea's first-person characters are always observant. Sophie compares everything she sees to her personal knowledge base of brand-name products, popular music, and classic television shows. She thinks the way we Baby Boomers think, which makes for fun reading. The culture and conversational style of the Irish are also well presented here, as are the idiosyncracies of American tourists. If the stereotype fits...

"Becoming Finola" is good entertainment that may entice readers to think about international travel themselves; or at the very least, to search high and low for inspirational bead-and-charm bracelets with magic powers. Perhaps there's a Booley waiting out there for each one of us.

Rating:
Summary: A "Brigadoon" for our time
Review: Sophie White is a good friend. Gina Stebbins is going through a tough time, and Sophie is on hand to be her cheerleader, coach and companion. When Gina gets the almost-crazy notion that a trip from Massachusetts to Booley, Ireland, will give her all the answers, Sophie goes along to lend her support. Quite unexpectedly, Booley casts its magic on Sophie instead. Gina quickly goes back home, and Sophie remains to take over the identity left behind by craftswoman Finola O'Flynn.

Finola was everyone's friend and confidant when she lived in Booley. Her influence seems to be everywhere. Her name graces the shop where Sophie finds work, where the boss was once Finola's lover. Sophie eases into Finola's shoes -- reluctantly, at first; and then with more confidence as she often ponders what an independent woman like Finola would do in any situation. As is often the case, the myth is grander than the reality. Sophie turns out to be a better Finola than Finola really is/was.

Shea's first-person characters are always observant. Sophie compares everything she sees to her personal knowledge base of brand-name products, popular music, and classic television shows. She thinks the way we Baby Boomers think, which makes for fun reading. The culture and conversational style of the Irish are also well presented here, as are the idiosyncracies of American tourists. If the stereotype fits...

"Becoming Finola" is good entertainment that may entice readers to think about international travel themselves; or at the very least, to search high and low for inspirational bead-and-charm bracelets with magic powers. Perhaps there's a Booley waiting out there for each one of us.