Winner of the Annie McHale Debut Award. The Memory of Music ticks all the right boxes - The Independent.
An enjoyable deftly written novel bringing history to life - The Examiner. --National Newpapers
Ireland 2016 and Isabel is approaching her 100th Birthday. Born during the Easter Rising, she has lived through some of the country's most turbulent times. The daughter of a spirited woman and gifted violin-maker, the memories come to life when she hears the music of her past.
Dublin 1916 and Betty is about to give birth, alone. Irish rebels are taking over the city and she fears for her husband's safety. Huddled in a tenement building, close to the GPO, she vows to improve her circumstances, with or without her husband's consent.
Ireland's battle for Independence has been the subject of many novels in recent months. The brave men and women of our nation have been re-worked into some fine narratives and every child in the country celebrated this years centenary. Olive Collins has added on something extra by bringing the story forward. From the Rebellion, subsequent executions and treaty negotiations through to the end of civil war and its bitter aftermath. She uses Betty, Isabel and their extended family to show how determination can sometimes lead to despair. Betty's husband Seamus is a gifted man, full of musical talent and is an unparalleled creator of exquisite violins. However, his Republican values outweigh his love of his personal life and he becomes increasingly distant from his family. Late night visits, hidden arms and secret societies become the norm and Betty fears for her future. Her hardened determination results in her own secrets. As the years slip by, the female descendants of Betty are unaware of the murky details of their matriarch's early years, until the discovery of some hidden letters...
Historical fiction can sometimes be weighed down by the authors research and the characters can become victims of their historical relevance. This is not so with The Memory of Music. While it is obvious that the author has an intensive knowledge of 20thC Irish History, especially the years surrounding our desire to break from English rule, she does not drown the reader with facts. Rather, she gives enough detail to relate the characters to their situations and leaves the reader with a taster that may result in further research, if desired. A teaser, if you like. The writing is fluid and clear, with the novel split into three parts; the first part centered around the events of 1916, the second on Treaty negotiations and the War of Independence, whilst the final part leads the novel towards current times. There are a gaggle of female, cross-generational characters in part three and I found myself struggling to retain their relevance to Seamus and Betty's story. The idea of discovered letters is nothing new, but add in some torn photos and antique violins and furniture and it ups the game. This is a great read, ideal for fans of Marita Conlon-McKenna's Rebel Sisters or RTÉ's recent TV drama, Rebellion. A very worthy debut, ideally timed for the 1916 centenary celebrations and the upcoming anniversary of the War of Independence. --Bleach House Library
The Memory of Music was a poignant story about an Irish family, the women of whom were ahead of their time. I loved the independence of Betty and was heartbroken at the story of Isabel and her dementia. At least she had her music to calm her in her last days. --Amazon Reviewer
Olive Collins is an award winning and bestselling historical fiction writer. Olive grew up in Tipperary, Ireland. She has travelled extensively and lived abroad for years. Her first novel, The Memory of Music tells the story of one family during Ireland's most turbulent years, the 1916 uprising and the subsequent War of Independence and Civil War. It is one of the few novels to explore the role of women. It was the winner of the Annie McHale Best Debut and remained in the Bestselling Charts for 3 months.
The Tide Between Us is her critically acclaimed second novel. It retraces Ireland's long history with Jamaica. 25% of Jamaicans' claim Irish ancestry, most were deported during colonial times for committing little to no crimes. The Tide Between Us follows the story of one boy, an indentured servant deported to the cane fields of Jamaica and his subsequent generations. This epic novel spans 170 years.
Olive is currently working on her third novel about the first Irish pioneers who joined the wagon trails of the American West and became the first homesteaders.
