In the Midst of Darkness

I'm usually not a big fan of historical novels, but I received this book as a gift and was completely swept into the drama of these four compelling characters. Even though I have no Irish blood, the story of Reanna, Seamus, Siobhan and Donald had a transcendent quality: It was about ordinary women and men--a teacher, a hatmaker, etc.--caught up in a historical moment that they could not have foreseen or controlled. It makes me think of all those stories we've read about people working at the World Trade Center bombing on Sept. 11--that precious intersection of daily life with epic history. Even 200 years after the Irish Revolution, this book feels so immediate in Rice's able hands. She is a talented storyteller who created characters I cared about, and the historical backdrop just made it richer for me.

Reading "In the Midst of Darkness" was like taking a private tour of Ireland's past. Colleen Rice presented a fascinating story about real people facing real problems. From the first page to the last, I was engaged in the mystery, intrigue, and romance experienced by the characters. Their personas came alive in my psyche, allowing me to feel their feelings and see what they saw, and imagining what I would do if faced with their challenges. The Irish countryside that I have enjoyed in my travels now takes on a deeper meaning and significance, as I know they hold the stories of people like those in the book. Many thanks to the author for such an easy and powerful read! Days after finishing the book, I still wonder what became of Reanna and the others. The memory of the stories linger still.

A rare jewel is a beautifully written page-turner that has a captivating story and is unpredictable. In the Midst of Darkness, by Colleen Rice, is most definitely a rare jewel. Ireland (I MUST visit!), the characters and their struggles against poverty and prejudice over several generations came alive for me and I was transported. The well-balanced insight into the hearts and minds of the oppressors as well as the oppressed was refreshing too. I would highly recommend this book to all and plan to keep it in my collection and treasure it. Thank you Colleen Rice!

I really loved reading Colleen Rice's, "In the Midst of Darkness." The characters came alive for me. She brought out the struggle to live under such difficult circumstances, but still be able to enjoy loved ones. I expect to keep it on my bookshelf and read it more than once.

Probably only a few books in our lives totally reverse our personal preconceptions. For me there was "Grapes of Wrath," "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," and now, "In the Midst of Darkness." What it was like to be poor and Irish and Catholic or Protestant are vividly illustrated in Colleen Rice's wonderful tale of a handful of likable people in eighteenth-century Ireland. You thought you understood the roots of today's divisiveness? Try looking through the eyes of Colleen's protagonists - real humans who risked murder or theft of everything just because they were born in a risky place at a risky time. The enemy came from either side; injustice seems impartially distributed.The storyline deserves a movie; the book is as vivid as one. And likely it will change your perceptions.