It Was Only Ever You by Kate Kerrigan
This book is a wonderful story about three girls in the
early years of rock and roll. The story
starts out in Ireland, County Mayo, and later is set in the halcyon days of New
York where there were dance clubs and venues which seemed to be all the rage
for the younger set.
Firstly, there was Rose, a doctor’s daughter, who I would
have believed while reading the book, had a doomed romance mostly caused by
time and distance, though this does not really seem to be the case. However, perhaps there is scope for a sequel
to this fascinating story. Then there is
Ava, who is impulsive and in some respects wishes to escape the staid
complacency and predictability of her conventional life and rushes into matters without thinking
clearly and finally there is Sheila, who
is completely different from the other two women. Sheila likes to give the impression she is
tough and hard but this is just a guise and does not reveal her true character,
which is not as it seems.
Patrick Murphy, also from Ireland, as is Rose, is a new
immigrant to New York and also an inspiring singer of Irish ballads who wishes
to make a name for himself in the music scene in New York.
This book is a page turner and seemed very authentic to me
in tone and also the era of the rock and roll music. It seemed to be a nice age where people
enjoyed themselves dancing and loved the new style of music.
The human element and spiritual element is also present in
this story. It is very beautiful and
well recommended.
