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Two Journeys Home: A Novel of Eighteenth Century Europe (Derrynane Saga) Paperback – November 1, 2017

by Kevin O'Connell (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 11 ratings
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It’s 1767. As the eagerly anticipated sequel to Beyond Derrynane begins, Eileen O’Connell avails herself of a fortuitous opportunity to travel back to Ireland. In Two Journeys Home, the O’Connells encounter old faces and new—and their lives change forever.

Her vivacious personality matched only by her arresting physical presence, Eileen returns to Derrynane this time not as a teenaged widow but as one of the most recognised figures at the Habsburg court. Before returning to Vienna she experiences a whirlwind romance, leading to a tumult of betrayal and conflict with the O’Connell clan.

Abigail lives not in the shadow of her sister but instead becomes the principal lady-in-waiting to Empress Maria Theresa.

Hugh O’Connell leaves behind waning adolescence and a fleeting attraction to the youngest archduchess when he begins a military career in the Irish Brigade under Louis XV. But more royal entanglement awaits him in France…

Author Kevin O’Connell again deftly weaves threads of historical fact and fancy to create a colourful tapestry affording unique insights into the courts of eighteenth-century Catholic Europe and Protestant Ascendancy–ruled Ireland. Watch as the saga continues to unfold amongst the O’Connells, their friends and enemies, at home and abroad.

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  1. Book 2 of 3
    The Derrynane Saga
  2. Print length
    310 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    November 1, 2017
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.78 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0997407611
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0997407617
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

O'Connell is a fantastic storyteller. His prose is so rich and beautiful it is a joy to read. The story is compelling and the characters memorable - all the more so because they are based on real people. . . I am Irish but I did not know about this piece of Irish history. It is fascinating but historical fiction at the same time . . . Highly recommended for historical fiction lovers!(c) Beth Nolan, Beth's Book Nook

I enjoyed the first part of the Saga awhile back . . . (and) couldn't wait to continue the story of Eileen and her family . . . this author really does have a way with words. The world and the characters are so vivid . . . Overall, I was hooked from page one. I honestly think that (Two Journeys Home) was better than (Beyond Derrynane) - which is rare. The characters and world-building was done in such a beautiful manner . . . I can't wait for the next one . . . (c) Carole Rae, Carole's Sunday Review, Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell

Two Journeys Home: A Novel of Eighteenth Century Europe . . . is a gripping story that will transport the reader back in time, a story with a strong setting and compelling characters . . . a sensational romance, betrayal, family drama and intrigue . . . The plot is so complex that I find it hard to offer a summary in a few lines, but it is intriguing and it holds many surprises . . . great writing. Kevin O'Connell's prose is crisp and highly descriptive. I was delighted (by) . . . how he builds the setting, offering . . . powerful images of places, exploring cultural traits and unveiling the political climate of the time . . . The conflict is (as well-developed as the characters) and it is a powerful ingredient that moves the plot forward . . . an absorbing and intelligently-crafted historical novel . . . . (c) Divine Zapa for Readers' Favourite

Two Journeys Home: A Novel of Eighteenth Century Europe . . . takes the story of the O'Connell family forward. Although I had not read (Beyond Derrynane) I had no (problem) . . . getting into the flow of the story . . .The story flows flawlessly with every scene and every page turn.Complex yet very engaging, the novel jumped into the action from the get-go. The characters are very well-built and developed . . . The author did an amazing job . . . ensuring they (they) were in sync with their time. Nothing is out of place and even the very minor details were very well-constructed . . . This historical novel is perhaps of those few (such) novels that stay true to the timeline and still connect with the reader on a deeper level. Wonderful!(c) Rabia Tanveer, for Readers' Favourite

(Being) a little over six-feet tall, (with) long raven hair, intelligent beyond her years and Irish, all describe the beautiful Eileen O'Connell (as she) returns to Ireland after spending (almost six) years in the court of Empress Maria Theresa. Her duties in Austria are as nanny and friends with two of the young princesses,Archduchesses Maria Carolina and Maria Antonia. Part of her task (has) also (been) to prepare each of them for their royal lives of the future . . .
. . . Reading the second book in most series, especially if you have not read the first, can be a little difficult. However, Two Journeys Home is easily understandable with much of the first book being reflected upon (by the characters).
This book begins with Eileen's journey to Ireland, (then continuing) back to life in Vienna at court, bringing into light the history of the time period after the Seven Years War between France and Austria including (the early life of the young archduchess who would become known to history as) Marie Antoinette. This (second book in the Derrynane Saga) concludes with her second return to Ireland.
There are conflicts, especially within her family and the expectations, as well as religion and culture of the countries and time period. Surprisingly, much of the story seems to fit together as tightly as a puzzle.
Author Kevin O'Connell has based this Derrynane series on much of his own family history, mixing what could have logically happened into an historical fiction novel. Two Journeys Home is part of a wonderful epic-saga in the past of Ireland, Austria, and France. (c) Teri Davis for Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Kevin O'Connell is a native of of New York City, descended from a young officer of what had - from 1690 to 1792 - been the Irish Brigade of the French army, believed to have arrived in French Canada sometime following the execution of Queen Marie Antoinette in October, 1793. At least one grandson subsequently returned to Ireland; Mr. O'Connell's own grandparents arrived in New York in the early Twentieth Century. He holds both Irish and American citizenship. Given this heritage, he has been a serious student of Eighteenth Century Irish and European history for virtually all his life; one significant aspect of this has been a continuing scholarly as well as personal interest in the extended O'Connell family. As a result, in 2014, Mr. O'Connell began writing a series of historical fiction novels, now known as the Derrynane Saga. His first book, Beyond Derrynane: A Novel of Eighteenth Century Europe, was published by The Gortcullinane Press in July 2016, is in global circulation and has received a range of positive critical reviews, in the United States, the UK and in Europe. An alumnus of Don Bosco Preparatory School, he is a graduate of Providence College and Georgetown University Law Centre. For much of his forty-plus year long legal career, Mr. O'Connell has practiced international business transactional law, primarily involving direct-investment matters, throughout Asia, Europe and the Middle East O'Connell is married, has five children and ten grandchildren. He resides with his wife, Laurette, and their golden retriever, Katie, near Annapolis, Maryland, USA.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gortcullinane Press, The (November 1, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 310 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0997407611
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0997407617
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.01 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.78 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 11 ratings

About the author

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Kevin O'Connell

Kevin O'Connell

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Kevin O'Connell is a native of New York City, the descendant of a young officer of the Irish Brigade of the French army. He holds both Irish and American citizenship.

Mr. O’Connell began the Derrynane Saga in 2014. His first book, Beyond

Derrynane: A Novel of Eighteenth Century Europe, was published in July 2016,

whilst the second, Two Journeys Home: A Novel of Eighteenth Century Europe was

released in November 2017. Both are in global circulation and have received

a range of positive critical reviews, in the United States, the United

Kingdom and Europe. Bittersweet Tapestry is the third of four projected

volumes.

The Saga has been described as being a sweeping, multi-layered story,

populated by an array of colourfully-complex characters, whose lives and

stories play out in a series of striking settings. Set against the drama of

Europe in the early stages of significant change, the book dramatizes the

roles which have never before been treated in fiction played by a small

number of expatriate Irish of the fallen Gaelic Aristocracy at the courts of

Catholic Europe. It is with Bittersweet Tapestry that O’Connell again focuses

in greater detail on their lives in English-occupied Ireland.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
11 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

BC
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book even more than the first one (which ...
Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2018
Verified Purchase
I loved this book even more than the first one (which was fantastic also)! I enjoyed reading about the main character, Eileen, her family, and her charge. I couldn't put it down. It was even more fascinating when I discovered the connection of one of the characters to an actual historical figure! Looking forward to Mr. O'Connell's future books.
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Sharon L. Michael
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book as much as the first one in ...
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2018
Verified Purchase
I loved this book as much as the first one in the saga. The story continues of the O'Connell family where the first book left off. The author provides an interesting story with detailed descriptions of the culture, customs, and setting of the times. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
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LL
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, descriptive writing, vivid characters, compelling story-- what's not to love?!
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2018
I actually purchased my copy at a small bookshop-- (sorry Amazon-- I use you for almost everything-- this was a fluke). I re-read Beyond Derrynane (the first book in the saga), just to refresh my recollection of wonderful Eileen and her experiences in Ireland and Vienna, but I think this second novel in the series would also be just fine on its own as well. The author has a magical gift for drawing the reader in to the room (or, aboard the ship!) with these vivid characters. I did not want to put it down, except for the fact that I wanted to savor the story. To Mr. O'Connell, i just want to say: Well done!! My friends and I are waiting for volume three!!
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E. F.
5.0 out of 5 stars Two Journeys Home gripped my attention and held me to ...
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2018
Two Journeys Home gripped my attention and held me to the end. I was captivated by Eileen's relationships and her life both in Ireland and in Vienna. The vivid scenes unfold as if I'm watching a movie -- in fact, this saga would make a magnificent movie! I eagerly anticipate Kevin O'Connell's next volume.
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Matthew de Lacey Davidson
3.0 out of 5 stars Review of “Two Journeys Home” by Kevin O’Connell
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2018
The great American jazz saxophonist, Charlie Parker, once said, “You've got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail.” This is not only a truism regarding the performance of music, but also concerns any art form which requires tremendous discipline.

While a great deal of fiction is autobiographical, there is a particular and peculiar regimen required when it comes to historical fiction (for the obvious reason that much research is needed). The best writers of this genre, therefore, are going to consume the greatest amount of information possible, digest it all carefully, then “just wail.”

Kevin O’Connell, in his set of historical novels all subtitled, “The Derrynane Saga,” has taken on two distinct genres simultaneously: historical fiction and the saga. The latter format is, indeed, a grave undertaking. The idea of footnotes and scrupulous research as necessary components to the telling of history remained, mostly, a foreign concept until the twentieth century, and history and fiction were quite often intertwined (for example as one finds in the "Epic of Gilgamesh", which, while based on a genuine Sumerian king of the third century BCE, the epic poem literally turns the character upon whom it is based into a demi-god).

The earliest sagas were probably developed in Iceland and Scandinavia, and were mammoth works intended as much for education as enjoyment. Emile Zola is now recognised as the earliest modern proponent of this form. John Steinbeck, in his grand novel, East of Eden, like O’Connell, took fragments of old family history and wove it seamlessly into a novel. These are auspicious and foreboding footsteps in which one might follow.

It must be stated that “Two Journeys Home” is the second of a proposed set of five historical novels. O’Connell’s style of writing is intriguing, with a great attention paid to historical detail. Further there seems to be full cognizance of the fact that a surfeit of description can potentially slow down the action. The use of language is florid, and I take special delight in passages such as the following:

“Leaning against the ship’s rail, noticing the sun’s orb as it continued its struggle to make itself more fully evident in the still-dull heavens, recalling briefly her gentle awakening, Eileen spoke aloud to the wind, and to herself, ‘These years, these not-quite six years…They could have all been a dream…could they not have? Yet to me, all of it has actually happened…”

After the tribulations of Eileen O’Connell’s adventures (and misadventures) in the first novel, we continue to follow her peregrinations from the courts of Europe in the 18th century back to her native Ireland in this second installment. We are also introduced to the confrontations that she has with her family members whom she has not seen in five years.

There is a great deal of love for language evident on every page of Mr. O’Connell’s book(s), and extraordinary attention lavished over the mores, fashion, and politics of the time. However, if I was to give a gentle criticism, I would say that, to my taste at least, I found the writing somewhat lacking in irony and witticism. For me, these qualities are the literary “icing on the cake” which helps good writing soar.

When Truman Capote wrote, in A Christmas Memory, “Those Who Know Best decide that I belong in a Military School,” it is immediately apparent that it means his parents, who clearly don’t know best. When Jane Austin, in Pride and Prejudice wrote, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife,” there is more than a hint of sarcasm at the attitudes of some characters whom we are to meet later on. There is no greater pleasure to a reader, as they see analogous witty words for the first time, than to have an unexpected wry smile appear upon their lips, and to have their spirits lifted.
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Annette
4.0 out of 5 stars A Strong Female Character
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2018
My Thoughts:
Two Journeys Home tells the history of Irish people in the courts of Austria and France. The male lead in the book is in the Brigade in these two European countries. This was an aspect of history I found interesting. It is also an interesting storyline, because the books I’ve read who have Irish characters are either in Ireland or they have emigrated to America.
Eileen is the female lead in the book. She is a strong character. Her stature and voice is remarked in terms of masculinity: a husky voice and broad shoulders. This is also an additional feature that is different in regards to books I’ve read where the female characters may have a strong personality but their size is petite.
The point of view in Two Journeys Home is third person. This is my least favorite way to tell a story. The external narrator tells me what is going on in every setting and with all the characters. As a result, I had a difficult time becoming swept up in the story.
I feel one of the intimate scenes in the book is verbose: “…highly athletic erotic experience both possessed, the night exploded in a dizzying blend of ….” Page 136. Just a few words expressing the wonder of the night is significant.
Over-all, Two Journey’s Home is a readable story for historical fiction fans. For me, the point of view is not what I like, and this was the contributing factor in giving the story a good rating-3 star rating. (A 3 star rating on Amazon is okay. My 3 star ratings define good.)
Thank you to Kevin O'Connell for a complimentary copy.
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Zoe (whatsbetterthanbooks)
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, insightful and richly descriptive!
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2017
Two Journeys Home is an intriguing tale that picks up where "Beyond Derrynane" left off, taking us back to the 1760s where family honour and respect are more righteous than love and emotional happiness and the youngest sister Eileen is struggling to fulfill her wishes and dreams amongst an abundance of betrayal and violence.

The prose is captivating and vivid. The characters are bold, resilient, and willful. And the plot takes us from the 1760s through to the 1770s, from the dazzling courts of Austria to the green hills of Ireland where upheaval, acceptance, and familial strife weigh heavily on the heart and mind.

Two Journeys Home is a well written, sophisticated novel that certainly highlights O'Connell's outstanding research, incredible knowledge, and enormous passion for his family's history and genealogy.
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