JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 31, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Potato Famine which struck Ireland in 1845 forced many Irish to leave their beloved homeland and flee to the United States. During the first two years of the potato famine, more than 1.25 million people emigrated from Ireland with most of them coming to America. More than million people died of starvation. This tragic period in Irish history serves as a memorable backdrop to Paul Downhour's mesmerizing novel "Crying Irish Eyes" (now available through 1stBooks Library).
Downhour magnificently interweaves history with the elegiac tale of an Irish family coming to grips with one another. "Crying Irish Eyes" chronicles the fateful trip of young Elizabeth O'Malley and her family to New York City and their epic journey back to their homeland. Drawing on an impressive array of resources, Downhour boasts of historical accuracy and unforgettable characters that will surely capture the imagination and hearts of his readers.
"Crying Irish Eyes" is filled with tenderness and emotional purity as Elizabeth narrates her harrowing trip to the west marred by dark tales of racism, prostitution and poverty. Downhour takes his readers on a historical journey inside California mining fields at the height of the gold rush, and through Montana where the plight of the young heroine comes to a bittersweet end.
Up to the final pages when Elizabeth prepares for her mournful trip back to her birthplace in Ireland, Downhour's novel explodes with sensitivity and lyricism.
Paul Downhour spent more than three years researching "Crying Irish Eyes." He rummaged through tons of history books and dozens of articles to recreate, vividly and accurately, the eventful episodes in the history of Ireland and the Irish-American experience. He has drawn on his time with the Marine Corps, his lucid memories of the past, and his remarkable literary skills. "Crying Irish Eyes" is not only a wellspring of historical information but also a powerful reminder for future generations.
ABOUT 1STBOOKS LIBRARY:
The only profitable print-on-demand and eBook publishing company of its kind, 1stBooks Library was founded in 1997 and has helped more than 7,000 authors publish their works. For more information, visit www.1stbooks.com and click on the "Media" image at the top of the page.