what people say
Book Reviews
"A piercing and infuriating tale that brings to light a historical cruelty too often kept secret."
kirkus reviews
“Yankeeland tells a fascinating story of dreams, dislocation, and - above all - humanity. Yankeeland is a tale of hopes raised and eroded, lives lived and suspended, stories told, untold and retold. But Yankeeland brings hope. Brigid's life, with all of its complexity and tragedy, also had magic, beauty, and infinite possibility. A different life was possible for Brigid then, just as it is possible for everyone now, provided we focus on our common humanity. In the end, that is all that matters."
Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin & author of 'in search of madness'
“Readers who enjoy historical fiction about womens’ lives and particularly writings which contrast the concerns of old and new countries in immigrant experience will appreciate the backdrops and challenges that Lacy Fewer traverses in her vivid story.
Libraries seeking fiction that excels in vivid descriptions, strong juxtapositions of interpersonal relationships and choices, and the evolution of Brigid Kelly’s world as she moves from a small Irish village to the sweeping promises (and illusions) of America will find Yankeeland easy to recommend to a wide audience, from women’s fiction readers to patrons who look for powerful tales of immigrant experience and connections that remain equally compelling in “the old country.”
Filled with delightful moments of growth, new discoveries, and connections that evolve over time and distance, Yankeeland is a thoroughly involving story that explores secrets, family ties, growth, and life and death in a manner that makes the story hard to put down.
D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
With rich detail and lyrical prose, Fewer transports the reader to a bygone era with a story that nonetheless echoes of the present. Brigid’s journey of courage and resilience will break your heart, lift your hopes, and beg questions around society’s persistent failings towards women that history would prefer we leave unasked. A layered, compelling read.
Rachel Stone, Author of The Blue Iris
“Fewer’s writing captures the texture of Irish life in the early 20th century with remarkable detail. The quiet desperation of Brigid’s early years and her longing for freedom and beauty are palpable. I loved how Fewer used vivid imagery, like Brigid poring over forbidden magazines or sneaking into the store to gaze at glamorous pictures. These small acts of rebellion made Brigid feel alive and relatable. I’d recommend Yankeeland to readers who enjoy historical fiction with strong, complex female protagonists. Fans of Colm Tóibín’s Brooklyn will find much to admire in this heartfelt tale. While it’s not a breezy read, its rich storytelling and poignant themes make it a journey worth taking
Literary titan
"Yankeeland" is a powerful generational story that peeks into the family secrets of mental health and misogyny, so brilliantly told that putting the book down is impossible. Its vivid century-old characters—parents, siblings, cousins, and spouses combine to ask a timely question: Are we doing enough today to address the urgent need for mental health care, and how much has really changed?
David Randal, "Kelsey's Crossing"
“Fewer’s writing captures the texture of Irish life in the early 20th century with remarkable detail. The quiet desperation of Brigid’s early years and her longing for freedom and beauty are palpable. I loved how Fewer used vivid imagery, like Brigid poring over forbidden magazines or sneaking into the store to gaze at glamorous pictures. These small acts of rebellion made Brigid feel alive and relatable. I’d recommend Yankeeland to readers who enjoy historical fiction with strong, complex female protagonists. Fans of Colm Tóibín’s Brooklyn will find much to admire in this heartfelt tale. While it’s not a breezy read, its rich storytelling and poignant themes make it a journey worth taking
Literary titan
With a deft and delicate touch, floating on prose that rings as clearly as a morning church bell, Annmarie Lacy Fewer traces bloodlines and heartlines that reach back generations, and, as she does so, shines a light on the commonalities that bind us. Her characters embody who we are through their aspirations and dreams, loss and resiliency, and that most precious of qualities, hope. This is a book of layers, part history, part exultation, and a quiet examination of the sorrows of the lost who cannot find help. As such, Yankeeland merits multiple readings. A brilliant first novel, and one that speaks of glories to come.
Greg Fields, The Bright Freight of Memory -
PEN/Faulkner Award nominee
“Yankeeland is simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking. It transports the reader to a bygone era with ease, delighting with classic Irish wit and quintessential manners of speech. But it’s also a tale of loss, of deep grief, shame and stigma. Woven into its chapters are ethical and moral questions that remain relevant, even today, and which linger in the mind long after the final page is reluctantly turned.”
Katie Berry, BA, Grad Dip Journalism, NZ
A lyrical and deep exploration of the immigrant experience. Families torn asunder when the dreams of the young conflict with the traditions and social expectations of their parents and families. YANKEELAND captures both the amazing potential and the pain and frustration of trying to realize your dreams when reality hits hard in the new land. A solid addition to the Irish to America literature.
Dean Cycon, award-winning author of A Quest for God and Spices and Finding Home(Hungary, 1945)
"A beautifully written and deeply evocative novel, this story weaves past and present seamlessly, immersing the reader in both the struggles and triumphs of its unforgettable protagonist. The prose is rich and lyrical, capturing the complexities of family, ambition, and the quiet strength of women who refuse to be erased. With masterful pacing and emotional depth, the author delivers a tale that lingers long after the final page."
Dianne C. Braley, Award-Winning & Bestselling Author of The Silence in the Sound and The Summer Before
Triumph and tragedy
Lacy Fewer’s lovingly researched novel of the Irish diaspora beautifully interweaves the adventure of a new life in America with heartfelt loss and tragedy. Detailed scenes transport the reader to a past age as we explore the sights and sounds of 'Yankeeland' at the beginning of the 20th century. Yet alongside material prosperity runs a darker truth. I felt a deep sympathy for Brigid, who as she enters womanhood eagerly forsakes her old life and her family ties, yet finds that married life in a new country becomes a struggle for her emotional and psychological survival.
Maybelle Wallis 'Daughter of Strangers'
“Fewer’s writing captures the texture of Irish life in the early 20th century with remarkable detail. The quiet desperation of Brigid’s early years and her longing for freedom and beauty are palpable. I loved how Fewer used vivid imagery, like Brigid poring over forbidden magazines or sneaking into the store to gaze at glamorous pictures. These small acts of rebellion made Brigid feel alive and relatable. I’d recommend Yankeeland to readers who enjoy historical fiction with strong, complex female protagonists. Fans of Colm Tóibín’s Brooklyn will find much to admire in this heartfelt tale. While it’s not a breezy read, its rich storytelling and poignant themes make it a journey worth taking."
literary titan