This is the debut novel of Northern Irish author Christina McKenna, the first in the Tailorstown series. It is a literary historical fiction that shifts between the 1930s and 1970s in Northern Ireland. The two main characters, awkward farmer Jamie McCloone and prim, repressed school teacher Lydia Devine, are in their 40s and looking for some companionship. Lydia is trying to escape the authoritarian clutches of her mother and to find a date for a wedding. Jamie is egged on by his hilarious, supportive neighbours to embark on a date.

The chapters alternate between the comical present and Jamie’s grim, traumatic and dark upbringing in a 1930s Catholic orphanage, abused and mistreated by the nuns and priests. These chapters were a harrowing read and not for the faint-hearted and probably too much for me. It was at times a sharp juxtaposition between the humourous brogue of Jamie’s neighbours, and then the dank, fetid evil of the orphanage.

This was a well-written read which captures the lilt of rural Northern Irish dialogue brilliantly, but be prepared for the heavier themes, and don’t go in expecting a gentle romance, it is not a romance novel at all. 4 stars. ( )

I got this as a kindle daily deal bargain book. it looks and sounds like a romance between two forty somethjng people in rural Ireland but that is not quite accurate.


Our main characters are both lonely and unhappy people looking for companionship and they do find it with each other but not before dealing with a variety of obstacles. The book makes extensive use of flashbacks detailing one character's horrific life in an orphanage and I undrstand why they were there and appreciate what those scenes added but I found them to be too heavy handed.

The rest of the book is just OK - a little bit sweet, a little bit funny, a little bit over done. ( )

The Misremembered Man is James McCloone, a 41 year old bachelor who lives a chaotic and slovenly life on a small Irish farm. Lydia Devine is a spinster of a similar age, brow-beaten by her aging mother. Both James and Lydia are convinced by their friends to place an ad in the lonely hearts column, and commence an awkward correspondence.

As McKenna relates their story, she also explores James' past life in a Catholic orphanage, explaining why he struggles so much with life, and has difficulties with simple things such as cleaning.

The book has two quite distinct moods. The story of James' and Lydia's awkward relationship is played a little bit for laughs, and is a stark contrast to McKenna's account of the horrific abuse Jamie suffered in the orphanage. The ending is perhaps a ittle too pat, but overall this is a book well worth reading. ( )

2.5 stars ( )

Jamie McCloone is a farmer, living on the farm in northern Ireland his adopted parents left to him. In his early forties, he longs for companionship and a family so he answers a 'Lonely Hearts' advertisement from schoolteacher Lydia Devine. She's a spinster, living and taking care of her invalid mother.
The story alternates from Jamie's time in the orphanage as a small boy where he was abused and starved to adult Jamie and Lydia's lives. The orphanage sections are very dark; the boys suffered terribly much as the girls did in the Magdalene laundries. This cruelty is offset wonderfully by the poignant and funny sections with Jamie and Lydia as adults. There were a few scenes that made me laugh out loud.
The author manages to balance the story well. Her writing is lyrical and her dialogue is masterful. Schoolteacher Lydia mentally corrects and awards points for correct grammar. Jamie and his friends are rougher, and they speak in an Irish dialect that works perfectly.
I understand this is a debut novel. It's just lovely, and I can't wait to read more from this author. ( )