Period drama isn’t my normal go-to read, but I really enjoyed The Weight We Carried by Tony Walsh. The prose was descriptive, atmospheric and engaging – I felt that I was right there in the thick of 1920s tenement life experiencing Mary’s daily struggles. Her story made me feel humble and extremely fortunate – how easy twenty-first century living is in comparison! This story has a lovely poetic flow and is full of beautifully written poignant scenes. I found myself really caring about Mary as a main character. As we followed her fight for survival and daily struggles, it felt like I was right there by her side, willing her to build a better life for her family. I can see this story being developed into a wonderful full-length period novel, or alternatively, a series of novellas focusing on Mary and her siblings. This is a solid four-stars from me – I’d love to read more by this author.