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Trouble the Living


A mother and daughter confront the past in this enthralling debut set in Ireland...
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This is Francesca McDonnell Capossela’s debut; would you be interested in reading more from this author?

Created: 11/09/23

Replies: 15

Posted Nov. 09, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
chrisnicel

Join Date: 07/11/22

Posts: 14

Francesca McDonnell Capossela

This is a debut novel for Francesca McDonnell Capossela. Would you be tempted to read more from this author?


Posted Nov. 10, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jills

Join Date: 10/19/11

Posts: 9

RE: This is Francesca McDonnell ...

I was surprised this was a debut novel. It's written with a great deal of confidence and assurance and successfully captures the nuances of time and place as well as the dynamics of a troubled family. All these are harbingers of great things ahead for this talented writer, and I would be very tempted to read more from her.


Posted Nov. 11, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
wendyf

Join Date: 05/11/11

Posts: 80

RE: This is Francesca McDonnell ...

Absolutely! I've devoured this book and would be interested in hearing more about the author and what led her to write the book.


Posted Nov. 11, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
paulagb

Join Date: 08/16/17

Posts: 175

RE: This is Francesca McDonnell ...

I do think she has potential as a historical fiction writer. In some ways her purpose and focus is unclear, but the particular subject in this book is obscured by the issue of her American born child. I don’t know how the very best novelists structure their work, but this novel needs some tightening up or perhaps editing.


Posted Nov. 14, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
skagitgrits's Gravatar
skagitgrits

Join Date: 02/24/17

Posts: 64

RE: This is Francesca McDonnell ...

Yes, I was entranced by the writing and the character development in this book. This is a book I truly didn't want to end. I'll watch for more work from Ms. McDonnell as she hits her stride in the art and craft of writing fiction!


Posted Nov. 14, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
chrisnicel

Join Date: 07/11/22

Posts: 14

RE: This is Francesca McDonnell ...

She is quite young. I noticed on her website (https://francescamcdonnell.com/) that she also writes poetry. I can see the impact of poetry in her writing.


Posted Nov. 14, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kdowney25

Join Date: 01/25/16

Posts: 189

RE: This is Francesca McDonnell ...

Yes, I would definitely be interested in reading more from this author.


Posted Nov. 16, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jennie r

Join Date: 08/06/17

Posts: 56

RE: This is Francesca McDonnell ...

Definitely! I hope she’s working on her next one already.


Posted Nov. 18, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ColoradoGirl

Join Date: 05/16/16

Posts: 161

RE: This is Francesca McDonnell ...

I would definitely be interested in reading more. Her writing is terrific. Hard to believe this is a debut novel.


Posted Nov. 20, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lisagewolb

Join Date: 09/29/23

Posts: 11

RE: This is Francesca McDonnell ...

Absolutely!


Posted Nov. 20, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
marganna

Join Date: 10/14/11

Posts: 153

RE: This is Francesca McDonnell ...

This was a painfully slow & unfocused read for me. I applaud McDonnell's effort but I would not read another book by her anytime soon.


Posted Nov. 21, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
johnw

Join Date: 03/11/12

Posts: 102

RE: This is Francesca McDonnell ...

Absolutely


Posted Nov. 21, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Elizabeth

Join Date: 07/10/19

Posts: 63

RE: This is Francesca McDonnell ...

Yes, it was well written and in time, her skill will only increase.


Posted Nov. 22, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
beckys

Join Date: 08/12/16

Posts: 259

RE: This is Francesca McDonnell ...

Most definitely I want to read this author again! The book just took me in and I loved the character development … what a great debut! I can’t imagine that her writing could get any better !


Posted Nov. 28, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
hahiramom

Join Date: 01/16/14

Posts: 16

RE: This is Francesca McDonnell ...

Absolutely!
Her imagery is so vivid and her characters so compellingly written. If I didn't know before hand thst this was hrr debut I would be searching for other books by her.


Posted Dec. 08, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
juliaa

Join Date: 12/03/11

Posts: 276

RE: This is Francesca McDonnell ...

Absolutely! Her narrative style and her ability to draw characters I care about would lead me to read more of her books.


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