Ashes of Fiery Weather
The men of Brooklyn’s Keegan-O’Reilly clan have been firefighters for as long as anyone can remember. They fight fires: some die heroically, and their wives and mothers bury them. These shared tragedies create bonds which transcend age, religion, cultural background, and even kinship. However, some gulfs are easier to bridge than others.
Kathleen Donohoe’s own background – families fleeing famine in Ireland to become firefighters in Brooklyn – serves as inspiration for this, her debut novel. Donohoe presents readers with richly imagined portraits of seven women who are linked with the Keegans and O’Reillys by blood, marriage, or love. The main trait the women have in common is the difficulty of their lives, wondering each day if her man will come home unharmed. Some meet the challenges more easily than others, but each is tough as nails in her own way. Eileen is adopted, but proves herself an O’Reilly when she serves on 9/11 as a firefighter.
I truly enjoyed meeting each of the Keegan-O’Reilly women, and Ms. Donohoe’s writing is both beautiful and riveting. The one thing I did not like is how Ashes darts back and forth in time quicker than an Irish step-dancer. Some multi-period novels link decision and outcome, but they can be disorienting, especially when Ms. Donohoe’s portraits skip generations. A family tree is helpful, and don’t let my personal preference put you off trying Ashes of Fiery Weather. It’s a worthy novel.
