what people say
Book Reviews
“In the end the novel's careful handling of its real subject—shame—is well-rendered and timeless."
The Irish Times
"All the more impressive when considering that "Yankeeland" is author Lacy Fewer's debut as a novelist.
Original, deftly crafted, emotionally engaging, and an entertaining read from cover to cover, Lacy's genuine flair for the kind of distinctive and narrative driven storytelling style has raised her work of historical fiction to an impressive level of literary excellence."
Jim Cox
Midwest Book Review
"Fewer doesn’t offer neat resolutions but rather quiet reckonings. Letters, lost dreams, and family stories become tools of reclamation and remembrance. By the end, Yankeeland reads like a love letter to the women history forgets but whose stories shape generations.This debut novel is historical fiction at its finest: textured, moving, and quietly radical. Recommended for readers who love strong female protagonists, nuanced family sagas, and stories that honor the complexity of what it means to start over."
San Francisco City Book Review
"In the end, the right thing is hard to do, especially when it hurts and will change lives forever."
Reedsy Discovery
“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'
"With a deft and delicate touch, floating on prose that rings as clearly as a morning church bell, 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
"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)
"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'
"A piercing and infuriating tale that brings to light a historical cruelty too often kept secret. With a sharp eye for detail, Fewer treats her readers to enjoyably lavish depictions of upper-class travel across the Atlantic and a portrait of San Francisco’s bustling rebirth after the famous earthquake; she applies the same meticulous attention to the frightening isolation of Brigid’s life in a mental institution."
KIRKUS REVIEWS
"This is not a book for those who seek a lighthearted, breezy read. Yankeeland does not offer the glossy version of immigration often romanticized in folklore; it tells the truth, raw and unvarnished. But for readers who crave depth, who appreciate literature that challenges as much as it comforts, this novel will resonate. Fans of Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín and The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah will find a kindred spirit in Fewer’s work.
Few books manage to capture the pulse of history while making it feel deeply, achingly personal. Yankeeland does so effortlessly. It is not just a novel—it is an experience, a testament to the quiet revolutions waged by those history often forgets. This is a book that lingers, that settles into the soul like a long-lost letter from home. It reminds us that no matter how far we travel, we carry our past with us, stitched into our very bones."
Chrysalis Brew Project
"Fewer’s commitment to depicting life’s bleaker aspects is admirable. The novel's great strength lies in its portrayal of early twentieth-century American life, which is both immersive in its scope and accurate in its details."
The US Review of Books
"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, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
“I felt the weight of Brigid’s choices—her sacrifices, her hopes for a better life. The novel’s themes of familial duty versus personal aspiration struck a chord. Fewer’s portrayal of immigrant life is both harsh and hopeful, never sugarcoating the realities but always highlighting the perseverance and ingenuity of her characters. The bittersweet yet triumphant ending left me reflecting on the cost of dreams and the resilience required to achieve them. Fans of Colm Tóibín’s Brooklyn or Christina Baker Kline’s Orphan Train will find much to admire in this heartfelt tale.”
LITERARY TITAN
"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
"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