The Healer of Corky Row - Paperback

by Virginia Ryan (Author)

A mystical journey through family, tradition, and survival in a changing America.In 1908, Irish healer Nuala Conneely arrives in a struggling Massachusetts mill town carrying the Book of Knowledge and burdened by a geis--a sacred vow to preserve ancient healing traditions as penance for her father's death. In Corky Row, Nuala uses potions, prayers, and Celtic rituals to protect her family and neighbors, striving to maintain balance between people and the natural world. But her well-intended interventions carry consequences, especially for her nine children as they navigate a rapidly modernizing America. Against the backdrop of the Depression, world war, and sweeping social change, Nuala's certainty begins to falter. When a young Azorean woman seeking apprenticeship enters her life, Nuala must confront long-held beliefs and decide what balance and tradition truly mean. Rich in history, mysticism, and emotional depth, The Healers of Corky Row explores family bonds, cultural inheritance, and the challenge of remaining true to oneself in changing times.

Author Biography

Virginia Ryan was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, then a dying mill town that inspired escape. It has since been resurrected. She writes fiction and essays and is drawn to stories of complicated families, imperfect heroines, and loss. THE HEALER OF CORKY ROW is her debut novel. Prior to writing this book, she worked as a journalist and marketer and served with the Peace Corps in Thailand. She is happiest when she's on, in, or near the water. It helps that she lives on Cape Cod.