This is a well-written story from the point of view of Emily Dickinson and also her young Irish maid, Ada Concannon, newly come to America. The two voices alternate chapters and view points. The (Irish) author captures this transition well and is also very knowledgeable about Dickinson's poetry. She is portrayed very sympathetically and essentially befriends Ada and helps her out of a serious jam when another part-time worker at the Homestead causes problems for Ada and her fiancé Daniel Byrne. Not really sure what the point was of the story, if it is all fiction, other than to put a human face to Emily Dickinson. A few things seemed anachronistic, but the story skipped along nicely and the poetry was lovely. ( )

3.5 stars This is a compelling read, yet something felt missing to me, and I didn't like the latter half of the book much. Still, with beautiful, spare writing and great characters, this is worth reading. ( )

Naula O'Conner has already established her literary roots in Ireland, but Miss Emily is her American debut novel. O'Conner did a ton of research for this novel, and it shows. In this novel, she explores the relationship of Emily Dickenson to her young Irish maid, Ada.

The novel is told from both Emily's and Ada's perspective. Emily, as you probably know, is one of America's most beloved poets. Ada is young woman from Ireland who takes up a position with the Dickensons in Massachusetts. Emily and Ada become fast friends, but when Ada is attacked, Emily defies her family in Ada's defense.

This is one of my favorite novels in 2015. I was drawn in immediately with the two women in this book. How their lives completely relied on others and their dependence on each other. Both Emily and Ada were equally matched in everything except status. O'Conner touches your heart with her beautifully written words. This novel is a joy to read. I look forward to reading more by Naula O'Conner.

Read more at http://www.toreadornottoread.net/2016/03/review-miss-emily-by-nuala-oconnor.html... ( )

This lovely, slender novel imagines a friendship between poet Emily Dickinson and their Irish maid Ada Concannon.

I was immediately taken with this book, as both Ada and Emily are charming and captivating. The chapters alternate between their viewpoints, as the story of their friendship and the dramas around them unfold. 

O'Connor's Emily grabbed me immediately, an intellectually curious woman happy to be in her home, moved by the wilds of nature and the passions of the heart. She hovers in the kitchen for sweets and bakes as a way to shower love on those around her; she composes in secret and doles out her poems carefully.

Ada is a willing audience, a teenager fresh from Ireland, bemused by Emily. The Dickinsons are a kind family to work for, and she thrives in their home, yet heartache still hits her. It is Emily who rallies to defend her and who helps her gain some measure of happiness despite tragedy. O'Connor puts away any imaginary idea of Emily Dickinson as a pallid, passive ghost hiding in the rafters; the complicated and curious woman emerges from her pages, immediate and intriguing.

It goes without saying that a novel featuring Emily Dickinson should read poetically; in this case, O'Connor manages lyrical prose that doesn't emulate Dickinson's yet still offers the passion and boldness the poet captured in her spare lines. My copy is heavily dog-eared from the various quotes that caught me up and gave me pause, like

I look at her words, one by one. Love. Thee. Breath. Smiles. Tears. It pleases me that each word is solitary, a loner. Side by side, their staccato nature blends with others, but in the end they stand alone. Each word is a fence post -- upright, demanding, shrill -- but each one holds the fence erect, and as such, is indispensable. (p119)

or

From now on I shall be candle-white. Dove-, bread-, swan-, shroud-, ice-, extraordinary-white. I shall be blanched, bleached and bloodless to look at; my very whiteness will be my mark. But inside, of course, I will roar and soar and flash with color. (p121)

The more I write or talk about this book, the greater my affection for it grows, and it is one of my top ten reads for 2015.

I think this would make a fabulous book club read -- zippy yet bursting with wonderful discussion topics -- as well as those who love historical fiction featuring well-known historical figures. And of course, fans of Irish fiction and Irish authors must get this one! ( )

While this is a very entertaining fictionalized tale of the poet Emily Dickenson and her beloved Irish maid Ada it does contain some very interesting truths, such as who Emily's heroines were, that she was a recluse who wore only white and was ever under increasing thrall to the words she wrote to the point some thought her mad. A very enjoyable addition for anyone who loves the works of Emily Dickenson. ( )