Reader's Reviews

Magazine "Ireland of the Welcomes" Mar/April 2005
in the section: Books, by Mary O'Sullivan

'"And So I Did" by Patricia Sheehan
This is a delightful account of a girl who was fourteen in 1956 when she left Belfast for Los Angeles with her family. The book ends as she enters her twenties when she meets the young man whom she is eventually to marry. She gives an extremely vivid account of the life of a Catholic working-class family in Belfast. Her description of how brilliantly they all adapt to life in the United States is equally exciting. Patricia Sheehan is a gifted writer, she transports the reader right into the middle, with the sight, sound, taste and the very smell of the event she is recalling.

Definitely worth tracking down this book.
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From Irish Emigrant Publications-Book Review Ireland
And So I Did - Patricia Sheehan

Patricia Sheehan emigrated to America from her native Belfast in her early teens, but her memories of growing up in the Northern city, which form the basis for this book, are extremely vivid. One gets the distinct impression of being down at the level of the three-year-old in the opening chapter as she visits the local shop and attends a birthday party. Life with her older sisters is never dull, there always seems to be a new adventure to attract young Patricia's attention, and the darker side of life is described with hardly a change in tone, highlighting the way in which children take all the events of life in their stride. The extended family played a large part in the life of the young Owens as their parents worked to keep them fed and clothed, though as is the case in so many families, one granny took precedence while the other was barely tolerated.

The bigotry, on both sides, of mid-century Belfast, the gradual awareness of the opposite sex and the taking on of a holiday job are all recounted, with everything leading to the decision to emigrate to California. The fact that the author uses present tense throughout gives a sense of being carried along as an observer of her life as it unfolds, of being connected to her, and this contributes to our engagement with the author. There is no doubt, however, that Patricia Sheehaan's book will appeal particularly to those of us who grew up in the 1940s and the 1950s.
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Reviews from Infinity Publishing's web site: bbotw.com
A DELIGHTFUL MEMOIR
Reviewed by: Deanna Tiddle (11/20/2003)

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll empathize with this child as she grows and adjusts to changes in her world, just as every child must do. The author's special "voice" makes this a story with which we can all identify. While reading this book, you may recall experiences and feelings from your own youth that you might not have thought of for a very long time.
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AH THE LILT OF THE IRISH
Reviewed by: Dolores Cullen (12/15/200

There is a lilt to the prose that is a delight. The serious bits gave me an understanding of the continuing clash of faiths in Northern Ireland, even though the reason for such enmity still eludes me. Read the book. You'll love it
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DELIGHTFUL. ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL
Reviewed by: Dolores McManaman (12/15/2003)

The title intrigued me and I was not disappointed. Not only easy reading but I learned about Ireland, and its people and problems. I could actually picture being there and knowing the family. Hope She writes a Part
Two.
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AND SO I DID
Reviewed by: Judy Vigo (12/16/2003)

A charming romp through the early years of a gifted Irish storyteller, this warm-hearted memoir is both hilarious and uplifting. It is a delightful coming-of-age tale of the middle child in a loving family.
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LETTERS RECEIVED
This one from my cousin, Angela, who now lives in Scotland, and was only two years old when we left home. Her older sister Anne Marie who is mentioned often in the book passed away recently.

"Hi Patricia, Congratulations, you have done what we all think about doing and talk about doing but never actually do. So you have!!! What a lovely surprise to get in the post.

I just love the book and can't put it down. It brought tears to my eyes , the funny songs passed down. I can just hear Granny Gordon and my Dad singing "Mary Ellen" and all my children know Horsey Horsey as does Anne Marie's little grandson. The stories of Laddie, the stain glass window on the landing in 147 Springfield Rd. The fields near Gransha Crescent with the tadpoles, Gunns Island, the poker games which mam often told me about, the side mirrors on the vanity in Springfield Road, the standard lamp which mam still has. She bought furniture from your mam before you left for America. I can picture your mam and dad so well, and I also loved to hear Pauline sing. I can see her in our house on the Limestone Road singing Ave Maria.

I am on page 152 and can't wait to finish. I love the style you write in; so full of life, and how well you paint pictures of scenes and people, and how you can make the reader laugh, so you can. I will read it to mam. She sends her love. I read her a wee bit of it over the phone to give her a wee taste of it, so I did.

Thank you so much Patricia. I think it would make a great film. I also think it would sell all over Ireland and the UK.

Enjoyed a glass of wine with Pauline when home. She gets younger by the day!!

Anne Marie would have loved the book. She wrote a few pages about her memories of being a girl and about Granny Gordon.
Love to all, Angela and David."
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FROM MY OLD SCHOOL FRIEND ESTHER
( Rachel in the book) She now lives in the UK

comment: Pat
I was thrilled to bits to get your book, and what thrilling reading it makes. Unlike one of your reader's comments, I do not want to finish it,as I am enjoying it so much. I feel that, as I shared part of your chidhood, we are back again walking through the streets together of Belfast and going to the 'pictures' in St.Paul's parochial hall on a Sunday night. I agree with one of the comments that I hope you go on to write the next chapter of your 'wonderful life'.

I am so pleased that we have renewed our friendship again after all these years, and wish you many, many sales of your book, so I do.

Love from Esther (Rachel)

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This one from the principal of Arroyo Pacific Academy in Arcadia, California.

Dear Patricia,
I wanted to let you know how terrific I found your book and how much enjoyment I got reading it. I took it with me to enjoy on a flight to New York recently and was able to read it through without interruption. I chuckled quietly as I visualized the various situations and places you were describing as they were totally familiar to me.

I think Dundalk people and Northern Irish people have so much in common, especially the Catholic ways of bringing up children in the pre-Vatican 2 days. Also the post-war days of deprivation and relative poverty of most of the population was something we all had to endure.

You captured the spirit of a great generation of people and made your entire family come alive. I can see where Sean gets some of his mischievous ways!

I was enthralled at your journey from Belfast to the west coast. I am glad that I just had to get to and from airports in my journey west. I applaud you for taking the time and making the effort to complete your literary work.

You have a sincerely satisfied reader here! I will recommend your book to all my family and Irish friends. I'm sure they will enjoy it as much as I have.

Best personal wishes,

Philip Clarke

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comment: from Nora Szechy, Author

It was a lucky chance that I met Patricia and her sister, Irene, at The Irish Fair at Irvine Meadows. I was immediately taken by these charming ladies. They bought two copies of my book and during the course of our conversation I discovered that Patricia had authored "And So I Did". I enjoyed her book immensely - once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed every word and just wished it would go on and on. It is a spirit-lifting memoir about a close-knit hard working Catholic family struggling against discrimination in the mostly Protestant City of Belfast, Northern Ireland. I was with Patricia through the whole story and felt I was part of her courageous family.

It was inevitable that they would leave Ireland and Patricia describes, with honesty and humor, their adjustment to life in the United States. I hated to say goodbye to my "new family" and look forward to the continuation of their journey in the sequel.

"And So I Did" is a must for your summer reading. Buy several copies and give them as gifts to your Irish friends - they will be delighted!

Congratulationss Patricia on a wonderful read!