Mary Lavelle, a beautiful young Irish woman, travels to Spain to see some of the world before marrying her steadfast fiance John. But despite the enchanting surroundings and her three charming charges, life as governess to the wealthy Areavaga family is lonely and she is homesick. Then comes the arrival of the family's handsome, passionate - and married - son Juanito and Mary's loyalties and beliefs are challenged. Falling in love with Juanito and with Spain, Mary finds herself at the heart of a family and a nation divided.

Mary Lavelle Reviews

A superior type of romantic novel . . . quasi-intelligent and discursive, colourful and unorthodox * Times Literary Supplement *
She writes with almost poetic intensity of the ecstasy and anguish of love -- Val Hennessy
Its captivating account of a young Irish woman's year as a governess in Spain in 1922 bowled me over with its weave of flawless prose, in-depth casting and mesmerising plot, all in service of its heartbroken story of illicit love * Irish Times *
With characteristic elegance and subtlety, Kate O'Brien, one of Ireland's most beloved writers, illuminates the anguish and ecstasies of a young woman at the heart of a family and a nation divided * Library Thing *
There's some brilliant and powerful writing . . . a description of a bull-fight that rivals Hemingway . . . dramatic . . . smooth. It's a grand job. She deserves to be better known, as few are doing more significant work * Kirkus Reviews *

About Kate O'Brien

Kate O'Brien (1897-1974) lived in London and also in Spain, where she developed a passionate and enduring love of Spanish literature and culture. One of the twentieth century's greatest novelists, her fiction broke new ground in Irish writing by focusing on the prosperous Catholic bourgeoisie and by giving central importance to women's struggle for selfhood in a rigidly sex-stereotyped society.

Additional information

Sku

GOR001034688

ISBN 13

9781844083152

ISBN 10

1844083152

Title

Mary Lavelle by Kate O'Brien

Author

Kate O'Brien

Series

Virago Modern Classics

Condition

Used - Very Good

Binding type

Paperback

Publisher

Little, Brown Book Group

Year published

20060706

Number of pages

320

Prizes

N/A

Cover note

Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.

Note

This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us