Eileen O'Neill is a 10-year-old girl in early 20th century Ulster when her younger sister Lizzie falls gravely ill and is taken to the fever hospital and subsequently reported dead. This event marks the beginning of Eileen's bad luck. Her mother, after giving birth to brother Paddy soon after the loss of Lizzie, takes oldest son Frank and leaves the family's home (the Yellow House of the title) to return to her father's house. Eventually Mrs. O'Neill's guilt and sorrow drive her into a deep depression and she is institutionalized. Eileen struggles to help her Da raise Paddy in the midst of Northern Ireland's violent struggle over Home Rule. Eventually losing their Da to IRA violence, she and Paddy move in with Eileen's godparents and she goes to work in the local mill, owned by the wealthy Sheridan family. Eileen's dream, to reunite her family in the yellow house, slips further and further away as her marriage to James Conlon founders and the increasing violence of the IRA threatens to destroy all that she holds dear.
In addition to Falvey's wonderful historical research, she has created vivid characters with depth and richness that reflect the tumultuous political climate beautifully. The reader will leave feeling that they have been both educated and captivated.
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