by Terrence J Kenneally
On Canaan’s Side is a first person narrative by a ninety-year-old woman who writes an account of her life in a daybook. It is similar in style to Sebastian Barry’s last novel, The Secret Scripture, about a 100-year-old mental patient wanting to set the record straight on her life. The story begins in Ireland during the Irish civil war and covers the Great Depression, World War II, the Vietnam War, and the first Iraq war. Lillie Bere’s life, which encompassed most of the 20th century, is filled with tragedy after tragedy.
Lillie is engaged to a soldier, Tadg, who is a member of the dreaded “Black and Tan.” The couple are forced to flee Ireland as a result of a death warrant on Tadg’s head. They travel to America and eventually settle in Chicago. Unfortunately, the death warrant follows him and he is gunned down.
Afraid for her own life, Lillie takes flight to Cleveland. The story of her life in Cleveland brings back memories of some historic sites like old Luna Park, as well as man-made disasters such as the East Ohio Gas explosion in the late 1940’s. It is the latter event that leads to the disappearance of her husband. Pregnant and with no place to go, a friend takes her to Washington, D.C. Tragedy, however, continues to haunt Lillie as she raised her son, learns the real reason behind her husband’s disappearance and agonizes over the effect her son’s military service in Vietnam has on his life.
The denouement is gripping and will surprise the reader much like the ending of The Secret Scripture did. Barry is a gifted writer who like other writers of his generation, such as Colm Toibin and Colum McCann, tell the immigrant story in a very distinctive way. Like his previous book, I found On Canaan’s Side to be a TOP SHELF read.
Terrence J. Kenneally is the President of Terrence J. Kenneally & Associates Co. in Fairview Park, Ohio. His practice consists of representing insured’s and insurance companies in insurance defense litigation throughout the state of Ohio. His is presently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Irish Studies at John Carroll University. He can reached at
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