The Other Side
The Other Side by Mary Gordon, published by Penguin on November 1, 1990, is a literary work that explores the intertwined lives of Ellen and Vincent, who left Ireland in the early 20th century. Their journey reflects contrasting motivations—one escaping shame and fear, while the other seeks hope and opportunity in America. Over more than sixty years, they navigate the complexities of family life, raising children and confronting their dreams and challenges, all while shaping the legacy that impacts future generations.
This edition delves into themes of passage and change, highlighting the struggle of generations to find common ground amid social and cultural forces. The narrative reveals how these dynamics play out in the hearts of family members, as they grapple with their identities and connections. With 400 pages of rich storytelling, The Other Side presents a poignant examination of familial bonds and the enduring quest for belonging.
Official synopsis Publisher
“An elegant and moving generational saga . . . Satisfying and emotionally rich.”—People
Both Ellen and Vincent left Ireland in the early part of this century, one bitterly escaping shame, humiliation, and fear; the other filled with hope for the promise and future of America—the “other side.” Together for more than sixty years, they raised a family, savored their dreams, comforted, challenged, and defied one another. Their desires and fears are manifested in the generations that follow—children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, each carrying as a legacy of the past, the need to find a true place in the family and in the world at large.
As she writes of passage and change, of the struggle of generations to find a common ground, Mary Gordon reveals that the dramas wrought by social and cultural forces can be resolved only in the realm of the heart.
“Epic in scope . . . The best of Mary Gordon’s fine books.” – The New York Times Book Review
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