Look Not Upon Our Sins

By Georgette Symonds

Bridget Donahue's heart stopped. And, in that moment, a torrent of guilt and regret swelled up consuming her. Before her, under a mound of fallen leaves, a piece of faded red cloth protruded. Could her search for her sister end here? Bridget, only 13, carried the burden of knowing she was somehow responsible for her missing sister. The years of searching for Meg were to continue until she married Peter. When he tragically dies, Bridget and her three daughters set sail to join here wealthy brother in America. They traveled across the Atlantic full of dreams for a new life. But they were ill prepared for the life they found in 1927 Brooklyn. It is there that her daughter, Elizabeth, becomes an alcoholic and goes into exile. It is only when Bridget's granddaughter, Mabel, who was abandoned and betrayed grows up that the pieces of the family are put back together and they find out what happened back in Ireland to Meg. It's been said that the Irish experience is mute. That there is no one to write for the Irish, no one to speak for them. "Look Not Upon Our Sins" does just that. The backdrop covers everything from the Great famine and the heart wrenching crossing over the Atlantic Ocean on coffin ships as Irish ancestors died trying desperately to reach for a new life in North America, the early days of Brooklyn and the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, the hay day of the 1920's to the 1950's. "A wonderful novel that truly captures Ireland. I was deeply moved by her descriptions. You will immediately fall in love with the passion of Bridget Donahue. I hope it becomes a New York Times Best Seller " Andy Cooney Irish American Entertainer and Recording Artist "Look Not Upon Our Sins" is an Irish style "Roots" meets "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn." Like Frank McCourt's "Angela's Ashes" this is the compelling story of an Irish family. However, it is seen through the eyes of three generations of women showing the complex dynamic relationship between mother and daughter and between sisters.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1499105053
• ISBN13: 9781499105056
• Release Date: May 2014
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 328 Pages
• Weight: 1.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Look Not Upon Our Sins

I am a fervent reader of mystery books. But, this book came to my attention and I became engrossed in the story, its characters and was amazed at the emotions that I felt because of the intense gentle writing by the author of her characters. Bridgets search for her sister Meg never waivered. She just couldn't understand why she was gone. The book made me want to know more about each character. The characters, some just touched upon, could have become better known in their roles in this novel. I will look forward to a follow-up novel to follow the Donahue's extended family. Definitely a good read.

Wonderful read

This is a beautiful story that is told in such a way you feel apart of it. As I was reading, I had to keep reminding myself that this was not a memoir but a work of fiction. I became emotionally attached to all the characters. It is a wonderful book to share with a book club. I highly reccomend this to anyone who enjoys a good read.

Wow...loved it!

Look Not Upon Our Sins should be on everyone's "must have" list. The story was so intricate and multi-faceted, I had difficulty putting it down! Although this novel is based on an Irish family.....it could be anyone's story. I loved Ms. Symonds writing style and look forward to her next work.

A new voice with a compelling story

This is a remarkable new novel about human hope and family entanglements. It reaches back in time to Ireland and the journey of Bridget and her three daughters to life in Brooklyn, New York of the 1920s. Authentic, well researched descriptions of places make the reading all the more enjoyable. The characters come to life with each turn of the page. As a native of the West of Ireland, I am happy to have this author join my other favorite Irish writers on my book shelf.

Look Not Upon Our Sins

LOOK NOT UPON OUR SINS- When the author gave the title to this book, she was not kidding. I read it in less than 3 days, and that is with working, kids and a house to care for. All of Ms. Symond's characters are equally intense and make you feel many different emotions through out the book. There where times I even held my breath in anticipation of what would happen next. Ms. Symonds book is a real page turner, one that everyone will enjoy. Go get your copy today.