Blog Archives
A Story That Needed to be Told
Yankeeland follows a young woman from a stifling Irish village who escapes to the New World with her husband, seeking a life where they can realize their dreams. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I have always been a champion of strong, powerful women and knew that this story needed to be told. Reading Brigid’s letters forever changed my thinking on secrets. The heartache from the secrets which society forced upon the female protagonists in Yankeeland haunted me deeply. Discovering and unraveling how their lives played out filled me with a profound sense of sadness, which stayed with me. The what-ifs and the desperate attempts at explaining away the various actions and outcomes all came back to the trauma caused by secrets. The basic human experience of compassion was lost to Brigid and Kate.
It seemed like you took your time in building the characters and the story to great emotional effect. How did you manage the pacing of the story while keeping readers engaged?
It was important for me to understand the challenges that were faced in Yankeeland, and my writing comes from a place of lived experience. I connected at a deep level with each character and their journey. I am a storyteller at heart and a lot of storytellers carry pain in their words, my objective is to turn suffering into something that we can learn from. The greatest compliment I received was that Yankeeland was not a ‘breezy’ read—I have tried not to detract from the reality of these experiences. In recreating Brigid’s story, I was able to recreate their path as emigrants understanding the society of the various locations. I was also able to reach into stories I had heard in my own childhood, particularly of Well’s House and the Doyne family that had lived there.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
In a piece I wrote for my website ‘Secrets’ I looked at how lives that are lived in pain do not allow for awareness. Existing—the sole occupation of the sufferer. These pieces explore some of the themes in Yankeeland and my greatest wish is for the reader to reflect and give consideration from their own viewpoint and experienes. ‘Tis only and aul wink’ was written following a funeral I had attended in the West of Ireland. As I sat and listened to the priest give his sermon on how life passes so quickly, ‘aul wink of the eye,’ I felt a deep sense of emotion. I was frustrated thinking how Brigid and Kate had not been afforded this luxury. I also wanted to show how historically Women were often betrayed by society at the behest of a powerful patriarchal system. This did not bode well for any woman, never mind one who was strong and powerful such as Brigid was.
What is the next book that you’re working on and when can your fans expect it out?
I am working on a story about navigating modern day ‘Humbugs’. A girl’s journey through vulnerability, navigating the various modalities that are competing in today’s world, where spirituality meets commercialisation. It will follow a similar theme, looking at moral dilemmas. I would love for this to be with readers in 2026. The publishing journey requires adequate time to ensure quality of the output.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Brigid and her cousin Molly, who is more like a sister, dream of a new life in the seemingly unlimited land of opportunity they call Yankeeland-America. Brigid gets her chance when she emigrates with her husband Ben and her brother James, while Molly stays in Ireland.
But when Brigid’s quest to have a child leads her to seek unconventional help, her mental stability is questioned. She is soon caught up in a patriarchal medical establishment she has little power to fight.
The new life in America Brigid dreamed about takes a drastic turn. Decades later Brigid’s grandniece discovers a sack full of letters between the two cousins. She unravels the story and vows to tell the tale of what really happened to Brigid in Yankeeland.
Yankeeland
Lacy Fewer’s Yankeeland is a sweeping tale of hope, resilience, and transformation that weaves through decades and continents. Centered on Brigid Kelly’s journey from a stifling Irish village to the promise-filled shores of America, the novel explores family dynamics, societal expectations, and personal ambition. Brigid’s dreams clash with her father’s traditions and her stepmother’s rigid control, culminating in her determined escape to the New World with her husband, Ben. What unfolds is a compelling narrative of immigrants grappling with love, identity, and survival in a land where opportunities are as abundant as the challenges.
Fewer’s writing captures the texture of Irish life in the early 20th century with remarkable detail. The quiet desperation of Brigid’s early years and her longing for freedom and beauty are palpable. I loved how Fewer used vivid imagery, like Brigid poring over forbidden magazines or sneaking into the store to gaze at glamorous pictures. These small acts of rebellion made Brigid feel alive and relatable. Yet, at times, the prose overindulged in descriptions that slowed the pace. While the lush details are immersive, there were moments I wanted the story to move faster, particularly in the sections set in Ireland. The narrative shines brightest when it dives into the immigrant experience. Brigid’s arrival in New York, her awe at the Manhattan skyline, and her disdain for the haughty first-class passengers who snub her felt raw and immediate. One scene, where Brigid defiantly stands up to an arrogant British couple aboard the ship, is potent. It underscored her tenacity and pride, traits that define her character throughout the book. However, the portrayal of Ben’s struggles with inferiority in America was equally compelling and balanced with Brigid’s ambitious optimism. Fewer skillfully juxtaposes their experiences, making their relationship dynamic and layered.
I felt the weight of Brigid’s choices—her sacrifices, her hopes for a better life. The novel’s themes of familial duty versus personal aspiration struck a chord. Fewer’s portrayal of immigrant life is both harsh and hopeful, never sugarcoating the realities but always highlighting the perseverance and ingenuity of her characters. The bittersweet yet triumphant ending left me reflecting on the cost of dreams and the resilience required to achieve them.
I’d recommend Yankeeland to readers who enjoy historical fiction with strong, complex female protagonists. Fans of Colm Tóibín’s Brooklyn or Christina Baker Kline’s Orphan Train will find much to admire in this heartfelt tale. While it’s not a breezy read, its rich storytelling and poignant themes make it a journey worth taking.
Pages: 258 | ASIN : B0DQWTPGRX
LITERARY TITAN 