Official Review: Tara’s Halls by Tom Gallagher

[kimmyschemy06]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Tara’s Halls" by Tom Gallagher.]

---

4 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Tara's Halls is an inspiring memoir by Tom Gallagher. In this tremendously moving account of a boy's life, Tom told of his family's extreme poverty while he was growing up in a farm in West Ireland and his unwavering determination to change the course of his life.

Born in the village of Madogue, County Mayo during the hard winter of 1947, Tom was the third son and the sixth of ten children by Winnie Moran and Eddie Gallagher. Theirs was among the poor Irish farming families of which the father worked in England and sent weekly remittances in blue registered envelopes and came home every spring to put down the tillage, cut down the turf and make the next baby.

With a family of their size, the farm was way too small and hardship was not just a part of life but a way of life. Jimmy, the oldest son had to go and work in England as soon as he came of age leaving the second son, Eamon, to do the man's works. At the time, Tom's only dreams were to help Eamon on the farm, eat more bacon and qualify for a bigger piece of chicken reserved for the one who worked the hardest. So, when he received his Primary School Certificate, Tom got himself ready to work on the farm. However, his mother had bigger dreams for him. She wanted him to have a good education and sent him to St. Patrick's College in Swinford. There, something happened that he never expected. He started to love learning, appreciate school and understand what education was all about. That spring, Dad did not come home. Tom was forced to leave school before the term ended to help Eamon on the farm. He was surprised to realize that he did not like to leave school.

The story was basically a description of poverty in its quintessence, poverty that does not just mean little, or less, or not enough but that which means nothing, at all. It was the story that other readers may find funny and inspiring. However, only those who have seen, known, experienced and suffered poverty in its entirety would empathize with the characters and completely appreciate the book and the purpose of which it was written.

The storytelling was top rate making the book an easy read. It was for the most part funny, which I think, was a manifestation of the author's endearing sense of humor. My favorite parts were too many to mention and my favorite characters include Father Jack, the passionate teacher, Mary O'Malley, the helpful neighbor, Molly the pony and Polly the pig.

I did not find anything to dislike about this book. However, other readers may find the back stories too long thus confusing, as I did at first. Moreover, there were several references to Catholic practices that zealous Catholics may find annoying but something I did not mind and actually found innocently and sincerely funny. Finally, I noticed misspelled words and grammatical/typographical errors but they were too few to dent the totality of the book.

I, therefore, give this book the rate of 4 out of 4 stars and recommend it to those who appreciate stories about rural living. It is one great and memorable book that makes the reader grateful for what he has and inspires him to work for what he has not.

******
Tara’s Halls
View: on Bookshelves

Like kimmyschemy06's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Tanaya]

I like that the book has a humorous side. Sometimes you do just have to step back and laugh. I am interested in reading about Tom's educational journey in addition to learning more about Polly the pig. Great review!

[chytach18-]

Thanks to your insightful review, kimmyschemy, I am going to put this book in my reading list.

[kimmyschemy06]

I like that the book has a humorous side. Sometimes you do just have to step back and laugh. I am interested in reading about Tom's educational journey in addition to learning more about Polly the pig. Great review!

Thank you! Yes, it is one funny book. Even the parts that describe how difficult life had been for the family were told in a humorous way. As a teacher, I secretly wished every student would recognize the value of education as Tom did. Though its role was only very short, Polly was among the most endearing characters

-- 03 Jan 2016, 21:55 --

Thanks to your insightful review, kimmyschemy, I am going to put this book in my reading list.

Thank you! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[gali]

Great and insightful review! I am glad you enjoyed the book.

[kimmyschemy06]

Thank you! It was a great book.

[rssllue]

A great review for apparently a great book! I am definitely interested to read it after your excellent description of its contents! Well done!

[kimmyschemy06]

A great review for apparently a great book! I am definitely interested to read it after your excellent description of its contents! Well done!

Thank you very much! It is a really great book.

[rssllue]

You are most welcome!

[Heidi M Simone]

A wonderful review, and it seems like a really good story! This is going on my to-read list!

[bookowlie]

I enjoyed reading your review! I like that you mentioned the humor element since it's always nice to have a dash of humor in a story. I have a weakness for books that are set in England or Ireland, so I am going to give this one a second look.

[kimmyschemy06]

A wonderful review, and it seems like a really good story! This is going on my to-read list!

Thank you! It is a good story. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

-- 08 Jan 2016, 18:36 --

I enjoyed reading your review! I like that you mentioned the humor element since it's always nice to have a dash of humor in a story. I have a weakness for books that are set in England or Ireland, so I am going to give this one a second look.

Thank you? This might be a story of extreme poverty and very difficult times but the author was able to tell it in a light and humorous way.

[Rachaelamb1]

Great review! It's wonderful that the author incorporated humor into a story that deals with serious subjects.

[kimmyschemy06]

Thank you! The author did a really great job.