"The Graves Are Walking" by John Kelly tells the story of the Irish Potato Famine, from its history hundreds of years before to its aftermath. Unlike many non-fiction books, Kelly gives the information in a narrative format, making it unique and captivating.
John Kelly has written "The Great Mortality: An Intimate History of the Black Death, The Most Devastating Plague of All Time" and "Three on the Edge: The Stories of Ordinary American Families In Search of a Medical Miracle." His writings on the topics of history, medicine, and even psychology span several years.
This knowledge is evident in "The Graves Are Walking." Kelly approaches the Great Famine from multiple angles and does so with such grace and knowledge. He pulls in politics, health, and history to tell a complete and comprehensive story. The narrative is interwoven with information and facts that paint a picture of what was happening at the time.
This book is a comprehensive look at how the Great Famine came to be as devastating as it was and how relief efforts ultimately failed. The facts and information are presented as a story. Readers are drawn into the characters and swept into the hardships that people enduring the Famine faced.
Kelly's narrative style is informative while being interesting. Most non-fiction books read like textbooks, but this style is more interesting as it tells a narrative. There are recurring characters that readers see throughout and we learn how they are grappling with the trials of the Famine. He also plays to the readers' heartstrings by giving a spotlight to ordinary people who are suffering during the famine.
Overall, “The Graves Are Walking” is an excellent book for
anyone wanting to learn more about the various aspects of the Irish Potato
Famine. The book is a comprehensive look at multiple subjects and provides
facts and information in the form of a story.
Rating: 8/10 potatoes
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