Dimensions
140 x 216 x 28mm
Patrick Tiernan, a 26-year old newspaper columnist, journeys to Ireland to visit his parents' homeland and find a woman to marry - specifically, one just like his mother, who died when he was 15. But instead he meets and falls in love with Grace Coyne, a poor Dublin thief who picks his pocket and steals his heart. After only two weeks, Patrick is crazy about her and convinces her to join him in America. She arrives, bringing her young daughter Tara with her, and carrying Patrick's baby.
The novel chronicles their chaotic life together, as Patrick, Grace, Tara and their new son, Emmet, move from city to city, living off the money Patrick makes from his writing. But, despite their relative wealth, Grace proves herself unable to leave behind her old ways and continues to break the law, frequently inviting her huge, hilarious family over from Ireland to help her. Finally, Patrick realises that their differences are too great, and a relationship that has been tumultuous from the start ultimately ends in tragedy.