Review of 'The Irish Daughter' by Daisy O'Shea

Review of 'The Irish Daughter' by Daisy O'Shea

Release date: May 15th, 2025

Publisher: Bookouture

REVIEW

The Irish Daughter by Daisy O’Shea is a beautifully written dual timeline Irish family story that is both heartbreaking and uplifting with lots of twists and turns that kept me furiously turning the pages. I was completely lost and immersed in the lives of Hannah, Justin and Jack. It covers many topics such as the child polio victims of the 1950s and the after-effects of WW1 on soldiers. But it also provides lots of Irish history including the fight for independence from English control. And we learn many aspects of Irish culture. We are blessed with beautiful descriptions of Ireland (a place I love) and Roone Bay. It is truly an atmospheric land and seascape full of magic and mystery. All these perfect elements come together in a stunning blend. So yes, I adored the reading experience of The Irish Daughter: the complete immersion into the Irish culture and the causes and effects of events that fill these pages. How the history, landscape and beliefs have shaped the people.

This novel is told from two very different perspectives: Hannah’s in the present and Jack’s in the past. My heart ached for Hannah. It is obvious she is a loving daughter who struggles against the perceptions of others because of her physical handicap caused by polio. Sadly, she just missed the introduction of the polio vaccine into Ireland in the 1950s. She got polio as a child and spent seven months in hospital isolated from her family. When she is retrieved and taken home to live a life of poverty and servitude, she tries her best to do all that is asked of her. Her mother has been loving but her father not so much. And once she grows up, many years later, memories of her childhood confuse her. When her father passes away, there are some unexpected surprises at the reading of the will. The world she knew begins to crumble around her. Then a stranger walks into her life who is also seeking some answers about his grandfather’s past. And together they begin a journey of discovery that brings not only road blocks and disappointment but also hope and healing. A better plan awaits her that she never could have imagined in her wildest dreams.

This is a story about identity, truth, roots, belonging, restoration, love and fresh starts. Learning who you are, who you want to be and who you will become. All the characters are well developed, intriguing and create a complete picture of the world past and present. War in the broadest sense is central to the movements: the most obvious is WWI and the Irish War of Independence, but it also covers internal conflicts of the mind, battles between characters and against poverty, manipulation, expectation and so on.

I was thrilled Hannah has a partner in her search for truth and Justin is a dream: kind, loving, patient and understanding. He is an English doctor with Irish connections and the search for his long lost grandfather Jack is incredibly exciting. Hannah’s and Justin’s quests in uncovering the past bring them together in unexpected ways. I appreciated and was deeply moved also by Jack’s experiences that are shared directly from his viewpoint. He is the past timeline we get to see in full view while his grandson is in the present searching for his story. Justin was sent on a mission from his late Great-Grandma to find Jack’s grave and lay a wreath upon it for her. What unfolds is pretty amazing. As this journey unveils more than one can imagine but it also brings Justin something extra special into his life: a closeness with a girl who steals his heart.

I was truly swept away by this mesmerising, soul-shaking novel that I highly recommend. The Irish Daughter accomplishes all it sets out to do and more. And one more beloved Irish story is stitched forever into my heart. Without any hesitation, this deserves all the stars! 5+ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.