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Andrew Joyce
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Mahoney: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Andrew Joyce (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 547 ratings
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In this compelling, richly researched novel, author Andrew Joyce tells a story of determination and grit as the Mahoney clan fights to gain a foothold in America. From the first page to the last, fans of Edward Rutherfurd and W. Michael Gear will enjoy this riveting, historically accurate tale of adventure, endurance, and hope.

In the second year of an Gorta Mhór—the Great Famine—nineteen-year-old Devin Mahoney lies on the dirt floor of his small, dark cabin. He has not eaten in five days. His only hope of survival is to get to America, the land of milk and honey. After surviving disease and storms at sea that decimate crew and passengers alike, Devin's ship limps into New York Harbor three days before Christmas, 1849. Thus starts an epic journey that will take him and his descendants through one hundred and fourteen years of American history, including the Civil War, the Wild West, and the Great Depression.
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  1. Print length
    571 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    May 19, 2019
  5. File size
    2240 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"I'll start by saying that a great strength of this book is the dialogue, which never falters in its quality, and is the main reason why the characterization is so good. I was also most impressed by the research that had gone into the book; it is clear, throughout, that Mr. Joyce has a great understanding of the peoples of each time and place in the novel. Mr. Joyce can certainly write." -- Terry Tyler, Terry Tyler Book Reviews

"The novel is rich in elegant prose and captures that elusive sense of hope at the end of a dark tunnel with finesse." -- Grady Harp, Hall of Fame, Top 100 Amazon Reviewer

"I already knew Andrew Joyce as a terrific storyteller, but in Mahoney I see him as a terrific writer as well, from the overarching vision to the minute details of the story. He gives just enough detail to allow readers to build a scene in our own mind, while allowing his characters to grow, to change, and to learn, and above all, to make their new land into a better place for those who follow."-- Barb Taub, Writing and Coffee

"Joyce produces strong characters with dialogue that plunks the reader in the middle of the action. Also, look for the many historical references liberally sprinkled throughout this novel. As a nation built from the blood, sweat, and tears of immigrants, this book should remind us all of who we are as Americans."-- Colleen's Book Reviews

"The book was riveting from start to finish, painstakingly researched, with wonderfully developed characters that are fascinating to walk beside." -- Smorgasbord Book Reviews

"Mahoney is a page turner that reads like a prime-time mini-series. Rich in history, the saga of the Mahoney clan is a story that portrays the growth of a nation. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to see the evolution of the United States as seen through the eyes of an Irish immigrant and his descendants."Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds © Cathy Smith

"I don't often give 5 stars, this is thoroughly deserving, a brilliant read from start to finish." Goodreads Reviewer

From the Author

I hope you enjoy the book.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07RZPMVP5
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Birch & Assoc. (May 19, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 19, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2240 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 571 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 547 ratings

About the author

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Andrew Joyce

Andrew Joyce

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Andrew Joyce left home at seventeen to hitchhike throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico. He wouldn't return from his journey until years later when he decided to become a writer. Joyce has written seven books and 143 short stories. One of which won the Writing Spirit Award for best short story of 2011. His first novel, "Redemption: The Further Adventures of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer," was awarded the Editors' Choice Award for Best Western of 2013. A subsequent novel, "Yellow Hair," received the Book of the Year award from Just Reviews and Best Historical Fiction of 2016 from Colleen's Book Reviews.

Joyce now lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
547 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

C. Jackson
5.0 out of 5 stars Andrew, it was well worth the wait.
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2019
Verified Purchase
I have now read all seven of Andrew Joyce's books. Trying to decide which one was better only leads me to confusion. What is clear in MAHONEY as with them all, Andrew is a great storyteller. In past reviews, I have compared him to Samuel Clemens (aka, Mark Twain). He doesn't let me down with this book.

As with his other books, Andrew researches the historical context of his novels to make his story more than just historical fiction. He develops each character and their place in the storyline creating a novel rich in detail and content. He grabs the reader early provoking conflict issues you must follow to the conclusion.

MAHONEY is and in-depth story of three generations of father-son relationships. Each character has a different vocation, set of conflicts to overcome, and determined perseverance. With each generation's story, there is the Irish heritage that binds them.

From a writer's perspective, I am in awe of the ease he moves the reader from third person to first person to enhance the writing and intensify the story. He uses dialogue to strengthen his narrative. It is easy to be drawn into the storyline by his descriptive content. What shines most is Andrew's style of storytelling.

Anyone familiar with Andrew Joyce's books, don't miss this one. Those who haven't read his works, this book is a great introduction. You will quickly become a fan of his easy to read and gripping stories. I highly recommend this book.
5 people found this helpful
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Yog-Sothoth
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Storytelling
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2020
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I loved the stories - and this is, in fact more of a trilogy of three generations of Mahoneys. A story full of struggle, success, losing it all, and redemption. One item that sort of bothered me, but did not detract from the story, was the depiction the frontier lawmen Luke Short and Heck Thomas as cold-blooded killer outlaws, when in fact, they were as honorable and courageous as their better-known contemporaries Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp - or maybe Joyce just liked the names... That being said, I did enjoy reading this, and will seek more stories by this author.
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Pete Springer
5.0 out of 5 stars An Exceptional Piece of Generational Fiction
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2020
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I picked up this book on the recommendation of other reviewers whose opinions I trust. It is the first novel from Andrew Joyce that I have read, but rest assured it won't be the last.

This story is a compelling tale of three generations of Mahoneys. Devin Mahoney, at the age of nineteen, is the last remaining member of his family. He is near death during the Great Potato Famine when his fortunes change, and he gets the opportunity to sail from Ireland to start a new life in America. Given a chance, Devin sets his mind to make the best of it with the dream of making his fortune and one day returning to his homeland. He faces many life-threatening experiences during the sailing trip, including disease, limited food and water, and a horrible storm that damages the ship. Throughout his adventures, Devin demonstrates that even though he has so little, he is willing to sacrifice what he owns for others.

Even after Devin survives the coffin ship, he faces a herd of other problems as he experiences firsthand what it is like to be a foreigner in a new country. He and his new wife overcome all challenges until Mahoney signs up to serve in the Civil War.

Devin's son, Dillon Mahoney, becomes the main focus during the second-third of the book. Devin dies while Dillon is an infant, but the younger Mahoney inherits much of his dad's grit, determination, respect of others, and willingness to try new experiences. At one point, Dillon becomes a marshal and experiences life in the old west. He becomes a much-celebrated gunfighter, but taking another man's life, even in self-defense, is something he never embraces. He chooses to live a much quieter life and moves to California.

The third-generation offspring, David Mahoney, is a highly flawed individual who lacks much of his father's and grandfather's character. He squanders the fortune that his father leaves him, and it is not until he hits rock-bottom that he begins to exhibit more of the same family traits.

Joyce creates likable characters with realistic flaws, which in part, makes them more relatable. The plot continues to move forward throughout at a steady pace. I liked how each generation of Mahoney faced personal struggles as well as the accurate historical challenges of the times. Joyce's story is one of the best books I've read in the last year.
2 people found this helpful
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tnlady
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Choice For a Novel of Chance
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2021
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Great novel that starts with a starving boy from Ireland,during the potato famine of 1850.
He was the only survivor of the Mahoney family and the caretaker told him,he had to leave the shack,the only home,he'd ever known.
He left for America on a crowded ship with all Irish Immigrants. They called it such,because they were packed in so tight, with not enough food and very little water, that many sickened with Typhus,died and were buried at sea.
He made his way to NewYork and eventually found work on the Railroad.When the Great War started,he joined,was killed and left behind a wife and baby son.

His son,Dillon, grew up and when his mother passed,he had to make his way he went West,worked for a large rancher learned a lot about being a man and ended up in Florida,wildcatting for oil,finally struck it rich.
He also married a beautiful woman and they had one son.

The third Mahoney,David
grew up as an entitled rich kid,who was never told no.His mother died giving birth to him,so his father and live-in housekeeper,just spoiled him rotten.
He blew thru the inheritance that his grandfather left him and was hoping from more from his dad but his dad lost everything in the crash and only had his house left.

David,would inherit it soon,enough,as his father was dying of cancer.
But,first he would lose all of his friends,fancy apt.car and be
standing in line at the soup kitchens.
He regretted his choices and decided to go on the road to Calif.and Mexico to learn about the father,that he had treated so shabbily.

What happens to the third Mahoney and how the story is all tied together over three generations, is what great books are made of.
Andrew Joyce is an outstanding author and although I just discovered him thru my husband ,cannot wait to read "Yellow Hair."
Highly recommend, you won't be sorry !
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

kate hutchings
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant read, with a multi layered walk through Irish and American History
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 21, 2021
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was gripping, moving, educational and beautifully written. Now going to look for more by this Author.
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N. N. Light
5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning storytelling in this epic novel!
Reviewed in Canada on August 27, 2019
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The term epic can be tossed around these days a little too loosely. This book is epic. The author has crafted a tale that encompasses some of the most significant events of the past 200 years. This is done so with incredible detail but not at the expense of character development.

The reader is drawn in and feels deeply for Devin Mahoney and his struggle for life itself and a future in America. Then the reader is drawn deeply into caring for Dillon. The reader is taken for a long thoughtful journey with David. Three generations of one incredible family brought to life by the stunning writing quality found in a book that could sit next to the works of Herman Wouk with pride.

If you long for a classic that tells a story the way the great authors of the last 200 years did it, this is the one for you. 5+ stars isn't enough. This is one impressive tome that deserves serious consideration to be made into a miniseries. One of the best books in the 21st century and deserves consideration as one of the best books ever written.

My Rating: 5+ stars
One person found this helpful
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ron matsu
4.0 out of 5 stars A rapid moving chronicle of an immigrant family who contributed to the fabric of America
Reviewed in Canada on July 30, 2021
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Forget or forgive the gaps, time and place jumps and the credibility of the events and just sit back and enjoy slices of American history from the mid 1800s to the 1960s. Don't expect a chronology of events even in one geographic area but some background to events and issues all over the country. Know that when times were dire the protagonists would rise up and conquer.
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Ted Kennedy
5.0 out of 5 stars A good story worth reading
Reviewed in Canada on September 4, 2021
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This is a good book with an interesting story it is the work of a master storyteller and I enjoyed it. Like the novel's characters it is a good sold and honestly written tale of a fascinating Irish American family I am of Irish descent so was familiar with the facts behind the story and while familiar I have never read anything that was better written.
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Fred
5.0 out of 5 stars Historical fiction rollercoaster
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 29, 2020
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A great tail of an Irish family through three generations from the Irish famine, immigrating to America, American Civil War, the Wild West, oil prospecting, civil rights. Hard to put down.
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