A sweeping historical novel about the challenges of emigration and holding on to one's identity and sense of "home."
Emigration comes at a cost, even more so when it's forced. Traditions, culture, belongings, everything must be abandoned. What endures? 1904. A Manx family subsists on a small-hold farm. Their lives are bound by tradition and love, steeped in folklore and belief in faeries. The grandparents, son William, Euphemia and their six children share a tiny cottage. The men work as miners. Despite poverty and the tragic loss of three sons, Grandad upholds the Manx belief: "Traa dy liooar." Like the triskelion, their symbol of the three-legged man, he insists they will not fall. There's time enough; all will be well. When change imposes a critical dilemma, does belief matter? The father, William, is dying of lead poisoning. How will Euphemia and her eldest son, Henry, support them all? William's younger brother, Thomas, offers emigration to Michigan. Euphemia suspects his motives: they started as lovers and parted as enemies. Their history could destroy everything. Henry, almost thirteen, longs to remain with his grandparents. His grandmother makes him promise to help his mother. The die is cast. They must go. After a perilous voyage, their hopes are shattered. Fighting for survival against deception, exploitation and abuse, they stumble along, just. Then, tragedy strikes. William is killed and Euphemia's secret is inadvertently revealed. Devastated, Henry breaks his word and flees. Euphemia must remain to protect her children. Henry travels to Canada, still pining for Man, clinging to his beliefs. The triskelion turns again; Henry falls in love. Now he must confront his mistakes and find a way to heal his broken family, for a new life to begin. On a three-decade journey from Isle of Man to Saskatchewan, via Michigan and Manitoulin Island, we are immersed in the moving saga of Euphemia and Henry as they seek independence and gain strength.
A sweeping novel about what endures in an unfamiliar place. Can forgiveness restore love and bring hope?
He saw again the Douglas Head Lighthouse off Man disappearing in the distance, as he whispered goodbye to Grandad, Nan, and Blackie. Now, as he overheard the steward say that the lighthouse signalled proximity to Queenstown, he tried to murmur a final farewell to Ellan Vannin, their island home.
Euphemia and her family had little choice in their situation. Her husband, William, was dying, there was no doubt about it. If they continued to rely on his meagre earnings from the mine, he would not survive much longer. Lead from the mines was already coursing through his body, slowly draining the life from him.
It was Nan who wrote the letter to William’s brother, Thomas, who had long since left them for better opportunities in America. Thomas’s reply brought the funds needed for Euphemia, William, and their six children to make the journey to join him in Michigan.
They have no choice. If they want to keep William alive as long as possible and keep their children out of the mines, travelling to join Thomas seems like the only sensible option. However, Euphemia has a complicated relationship with Thomas, and William never truly got along with his brother. They board the ship knowing they are placing their futures in the hands of a man who has an unpredictable nature. But it was a risk they had to take.
“Time Enough” by Lise Mayne tells the compelling story of the Carine family, whose journey of emigration forces them to leave behind their cherished traditions and sense of identity. This powerful family saga will captivate you, drawing you into its depths and leaving you eager to turn the pages. You won’t be able to put this book down!
The journey may be difficult, but the lifestyle change is drastic. Euphemia had given birth to and raised all six of her children with the help of Nan. The children had never known life outside the little cottage they shared with their grandparents on the Isle of Man. Their eldest son, Henry, was especially fond of Nan and shared her belief in faeries. He would join her on daily treks to Faery Hill, bringing a drop of whiskey to offer to the Little Ones. Deep-rooted Manx traditions were incredibly important to Henry, and travelling to America meant leaving his grandparents behind as well as distancing himself from the faeries he cared for so dearly. The heartache the family feels as their connections to tradition are severed so abruptly is almost tangible through the text. Their heritage seems to slip away as the boat carries them from their homeland. Unlike Ann, who clings to her beloved doll, Jenny, the family’s sense of home becomes elusive. The feeling of loss as they leave everything they have ever known behind is raw and painful. Readers cannot help but share in their grief as they turn away from their home and step into the unknown.
Henry is desperate to be treated as the man he feels inside, but his family comes first, and he will happily take care of little Hugh or try to keep his brothers in line if it means giving his mother a moment of relief from the anxieties of taking six children on the long and draining journey from the Isle of Man to Michigan. His spirit is strong, and he is not afraid to stand up for himself, but when he can, he takes the path of least resistance if it means making things easier for his parents. Henry is wise beyond his years and truly drives this novel forward as he attempts to keep his heritage alive in the New World. His hopes and dreams ebb and flow with the opportunities he encounters, but he is quick to anger and slow to forgive. As his resolve is tested more and more, it becomes increasingly difficult for him to continue sacrificing his time and effort for those around him, and he begins to turn his attention toward his own future. Although Henry shares the narrative with Euphemia, he remains the focal point of this novel, capturing the stark contrast between his homeland and Michigan while providing a rich journey as he grows into the man he has always believed himself to be.
Thomas is instantly unlikeable from the first moments of meeting him. He shows scant concern for the children, maintains a distance from his ailing brother, and seems more interested in impressing Euphemia than anything else. His blatant disregard for the thoughts, feelings, and desires of those around him paints him in a very negative light as he introduces the children to their new home. The difference between him and Henry, in particular, is highlighted by just how easy it is for the reader to fall in love with Henry, who serves to represent the meaning of family and tradition in his kind and caring nature. Within minutes of meeting him, Thomas gives all the children nicknames to fit with a more American lifestyle, caring little of whether the children liked the names or not, effectively snubbing their Manx cultures and immediately separating them from the family members they were named after.
Thomas holds himself in high regard and has little patience for anyone who disagrees with him or tries to argue. He seems unable to empathise with others, which makes him appear self-centred and, at times, threatening. Meanwhile, as William struggles with his health, Euphemia and the children must attempt to establish a new routine that fits their new lifestyle. Given her difficult past with Thomas, Euphemia tries to distance herself from him, but he clings to her like a mosquito, constantly seeking her attention and trying to impress her. Although Euphemia has made some questionable decisions in the past, she has grown into her role in life and found her purpose. Her children are her top priority, and she would do anything to protect them. However, when faced with Thomas, her resolve often wavers; as a result, Henry and some of the younger children must deal with Thomas on their own, for fear of upsetting the delicate balance that keeps a roof over their heads while their father is unwell. The way the family dynamics are portrayed, with Thomas as the ever-intimidating benefactor, creates a sense of tension for the reader. Thomas is wildly unpredictable, and with such a loving family, filled with characters you can’t help but adore, being forced into his house brings an ever-looming sense that something will inevitably snap, whether it happens sooner or later.
This remarkable novel captivates with exquisite lyrical prose from the very first sentence, penetrating deep into your heart and making it nearly impossible to set aside. As you immerse yourself in the story, you walk alongside the characters, experiencing their joys and sorrows as if they were cherished companions. The characters inhabit the pages like the ethereal faeries gliding through the lush grasses of Faery Hill, whispering enchanting secrets in a language that resonates only with those willing to listen. This is not just a book to read; it is an experience to savour, as the beautifully crafted words draw you into their captivating realm. The way this novel captures your heart and imagination is extraordinary, leaving an indelible mark long after the final page is turned.
Through darkness and light, “Time Enough” by Lise Mayne takes you on a journey of despair and hope as the characters take you by the hand and introduce you to the world they are living in. For fans of family sagas, look no further, for this novel is lacking in nothing.
Review by Ellie Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club
