All Fiona knows about her life in Ireland is what her mother told her -
that they had to leave when she two-years-old to stay safe. Years later,
Fiona is back, to spend time with the father she barely remembers, her
older half-brothers and a young nephew she didn't know existed until
recently. She arrives in Belfast and while she's hesitant to grow close to
any of them, Fiona can't deny that there's something about Ireland that
intrigues her. Even so, she knows her father is keeping something from
her, and she's astounded to discover his involvement in the Troubles,
the turbulent time in Northern Ireland's recent history that pitted
Protestants against Catholics, Loyalist against Republican, and resulted
in unthinkable violence...
Danny's been trying to get out Belfast for as long as he can remember.
His abusive dad and tough-guy older brother both want him to take his
proper place among the Loyalist supporters on their side of Belfast, but
Danny's been working hard to study for his A-levels, join the army, and
train to be a nurse. Danny's mom was killed during the Troubles, and
since then he's been trying to honor her memory, but as much as he
attempts to do the right thing, he always seems to run into trouble.
By chance, Fiona and Danny meet and have an instant connection.
Danny's intrigued by this stubborn American girl who he feels like he
can truly be himself around. Fiona knows Danny has pain but
appreciates that he wants to do something meaningful with his life. But
as they grow closer, tensions between the Loyalists and Republicans
arise, hurtful truths come to light, and Fiona and Danny are unsure of
what their futures hold, and if being together is even an option...
ALL THE WALLS OF BELFAST is a
heartbreaking yet hopeful young adult novel. Admittedly, I do not read a
ton of YA, but I enjoyed this novel. Fiona and Danny are two characters
that I think many readers will relate to and find fascinating. Fiona has to
grapple with her Irish heritage, attempt to let her father back in her life,
and create relationships with brothers she only knows from pictures.
And when she learns more about her father's involvement during the
Troubles, Fiona has to decide if this family is one she really wants to be
a part of... Danny's home life is similarly strained but in a more direct
and dangerous way. His family expects Danny to be one of them - even
if that means by illegal and dire means. Danny's struggles were much
more tangible, and his story was harrowing. I felt like Fiona's storyline
was more typically "teenage," so adding Danny's issues really brought a
level of brevity and immediacy that moved the plot along. The
resolution comes quickly, and while it made sense, was very neat. I had
a hard time believing that Fiona and Danny were a good match with so
many outside factors keeping them apart, but their time together was
natural and a joy to read. Sarah J. Carlson clearly did her research into
this divided part of Ireland and made me want to learn more about a
time in Ireland's history I was not aware of until this book.
The Carnival at Bray meets West Side Story in
Sarah Carlson’s powerful YA debut; set in post-conflict
Belfast (Northern Ireland), alternating between two
teenagers, both trying to understand their past and preserve
their future. Seventeen-year-olds, Fiona and Danny must
choose between their dreams and the people they aspire to be.
Fiona and Danny were born in the same hospital. Fiona’s mom
fled with her to the United States when she was two, but,
fourteen years after the Troubles ended, a forty-foot-tall
peace wall still separates her dad’s Catholic neighborhood
from Danny’s Protestant neighborhood.
After chance brings Fiona and Danny together, their love of
the band Fading Stars, big dreams, and desire to run away
from their families unites them. Danny and Fiona must help
one another overcome the burden of their parents’ pasts. But
one ugly truth might shatter what they have….
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