Kirjahaku

""No popular culture. No gossip. Loved it."" -Clare Stephenson ""l like the history in this book"" -Michael Nally We spend a summer with an unlikely collection of strangers for whom, for whatever reason, the past is important; but it is more important than they imagine. The strands of their lives unexpectedly interweave. Each is a piece of a living jig-saw. They eventually put us in the picture. These extraordinary, ordinary people share with us a world where life's casual and inexplicable mysteries are discussed and accepted as commonplace. O'Brien explores themes of life, death, belief in a warm-hearted and easy style that is both beguiling and funny. Her undemanding intellect brings 'ologies and 'osophies out to play. There is an unworldly, fascinating mischief afoot here. You can't help but think out of the box.

Rhyming comes naturally. This is probably because, pre-school, my grandparents taught me the rudiments of reading & writing using songs and rhymes. Poems spill from my mind, ready-made. I rarely change anything. From a loving but humble background, my work is referred to as 'down-to-earth' and seemingly 'shakes off the posh' stigma of the title 'poet.' " Here are two online reviewers of my poetry. "Maggie has such resonance with words. They touch the soul that feeds and nurtures our love of life." Lynne Payne "I'm pleased that someone does still write poetry with music in it as it is supposed to be " C. Parsons- Tennessee

"Storytelling at its best. O'Brien continues her down-to-earth exploration of other realms to shed light on dark corners of the human condition. She weaves many colourful threads into a beguiling yarn, seeking to solve an abiding, historical conundrum. Well researched. Thoroughly enjoyable." Stephen Warrilow- Archaeologist