Scan barcode
bengthesnowball's review against another edition
4.0
Reading this book is painfully depressing at times. Part of that is down to the grim isolated and lackluster confidence of the main character. Most of it however is down to the fact that although Johnsey Cunliffe is a fictional character, he could just as easily be a real person.
Donal Ryan has an exceptional ability to capture the feelings and nature of Irish life and attitudes and in this book he explores many of the disheartening but very real issues that arose from the birth of the Celtic Tiger and the boom coupled with isolation in rural Ireland.
I definitely think this book is a worthwhile read for anyone looking for a glimpse into what things were like around the time and in a wider sense I feel it would be relevant to an Irish audience in general.
Donal Ryan has an exceptional ability to capture the feelings and nature of Irish life and attitudes and in this book he explores many of the disheartening but very real issues that arose from the birth of the Celtic Tiger and the boom coupled with isolation in rural Ireland.
I definitely think this book is a worthwhile read for anyone looking for a glimpse into what things were like around the time and in a wider sense I feel it would be relevant to an Irish audience in general.
rudyb's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
one of those books that feels like its got its fist wrapped around your heart, especially the final third. donal ryan has an unmatched talent for depicting rural life with all its ugliness intact, but without condescending to the setting or the characters. can't wait to continue working my way through his bibliography.
aprilparker97's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
cardigan06's review
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
4.0
this book is lsow to start and it takes a while for you to get into the writing stile and the accents (especially if you're unfamiliar with irish coubtry accents) but i really liked the book
dublinsue's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first introduction to Donal Ryan (I understand that it was his first novel, but was rejected initially) and oh wow, what a punch in the guts.
The story is of a lonely, marginalised character, one that many might recognise in rural Ireland, who is mistreated and taken advantage of by members of the local community. This writing is sparse with every word of every sentence packed with meaning. Ryan has an original voice and an uncanny ability to reveal the aspects of human nature that are often kept hidden under the surface. A heartbreaking story that has stayed with me in the years since I first read it.
The story is of a lonely, marginalised character, one that many might recognise in rural Ireland, who is mistreated and taken advantage of by members of the local community. This writing is sparse with every word of every sentence packed with meaning. Ryan has an original voice and an uncanny ability to reveal the aspects of human nature that are often kept hidden under the surface. A heartbreaking story that has stayed with me in the years since I first read it.
rebecca_aruralreader's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderfully written and incredibly authentic feeling.
admacg's review against another edition
4.0
I’d read Ryan’s previous work, the masterful ‘The spinning Heart’, so I knew he wrote beautifully, and this book is no different.
The story concerns Johnsey, a young bachelor. His is a distinctive voice, full of the local vernacular, all the richer and more vibrant for it.
He is an isolated character, quite innocent in many ways and not one to complain. He is trying to hold onto what he has, what his father and
grandfathers built before him. But he is full of grief and driven half mad by the loneliness and others are ready to pounce, jealous of what he has. I was never sure what Johnsey’s problem is, whether his parents mollycoddled him too much or he had some sort of learning disability. Or maybe a combination of the two. But he is ill prepared to deal with the vultures, an assortment of colourful locals, all with varying intentions.
The book concerns the recent period in Irish life where the ‘Celtic Tiger’ loomed large. The new found wealth transformed rural Ireland,
often not for the better. Unwittingly, Johnsey finds himself at the centre of this greed and doesn’t understand it. He yearns for the wisdom and guidance of his ancestors but the old ways are gone, maybe forever.
Ryan puts me in mind of the great John McGahern, capturing the claustrophobia and frustrations of living in small town Ireland.
He also has that quality McGahern had, where the writing will suddenly develop into something profound, expressing a truth you’ve always known. I found this is an absorbing read and every bit as good as his previous work.
The story concerns Johnsey, a young bachelor. His is a distinctive voice, full of the local vernacular, all the richer and more vibrant for it.
He is an isolated character, quite innocent in many ways and not one to complain. He is trying to hold onto what he has, what his father and
grandfathers built before him. But he is full of grief and driven half mad by the loneliness and others are ready to pounce, jealous of what he has. I was never sure what Johnsey’s problem is, whether his parents mollycoddled him too much or he had some sort of learning disability. Or maybe a combination of the two. But he is ill prepared to deal with the vultures, an assortment of colourful locals, all with varying intentions.
The book concerns the recent period in Irish life where the ‘Celtic Tiger’ loomed large. The new found wealth transformed rural Ireland,
often not for the better. Unwittingly, Johnsey finds himself at the centre of this greed and doesn’t understand it. He yearns for the wisdom and guidance of his ancestors but the old ways are gone, maybe forever.
Ryan puts me in mind of the great John McGahern, capturing the claustrophobia and frustrations of living in small town Ireland.
He also has that quality McGahern had, where the writing will suddenly develop into something profound, expressing a truth you’ve always known. I found this is an absorbing read and every bit as good as his previous work.
maxwelldunn's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my opinions of the book. .
The Thing About December is Donal Ryan's second novel, and the second novel of his that I have read. (I read and reviewed The Spinning Heart earlier this year ).
I enjoy his writing, a lot. It's stream of consciousness and can often be a bit convoluted at times, but it makes for an interesting, flowy narrative.
This book follows Johnsey Cunliffe, a twenty-four year old Irishman, over the course of an entire year. Each chapter is a different month of the year, starting in January, and ending, you guessed it, in December. I really thought that was an interesting and creative approach to the story. All the chapters begin with some sort of memory or meditation on the month, usually of Johnsey remembering something his father would say about the months of the year.
From the very beginning, I was emotionally invested in this book. It is written in such a way that the reader immediately sympathizes with Johnsey. He is a very unique narrator, but I will let you read the book to figure out why.
The writing is beautiful, with many lovely passages that stuck out to me. I thought the development of character was well done, though I would've liked to see the story go on a bit longer.
Just because it was enjoyable but didn't wow me, 3/5 stars.
The Thing About December is Donal Ryan's second novel, and the second novel of his that I have read. (I read and reviewed The Spinning Heart earlier this year ).
I enjoy his writing, a lot. It's stream of consciousness and can often be a bit convoluted at times, but it makes for an interesting, flowy narrative.
This book follows Johnsey Cunliffe, a twenty-four year old Irishman, over the course of an entire year. Each chapter is a different month of the year, starting in January, and ending, you guessed it, in December. I really thought that was an interesting and creative approach to the story. All the chapters begin with some sort of memory or meditation on the month, usually of Johnsey remembering something his father would say about the months of the year.
From the very beginning, I was emotionally invested in this book. It is written in such a way that the reader immediately sympathizes with Johnsey. He is a very unique narrator, but I will let you read the book to figure out why.
The writing is beautiful, with many lovely passages that stuck out to me. I thought the development of character was well done, though I would've liked to see the story go on a bit longer.
Just because it was enjoyable but didn't wow me, 3/5 stars.
betterreads21's review against another edition
3.0
Irish writer Donal Ryan’s Spinning Heart was one of my favorite reads a few years back so when Kenny’s of Galway sent me the thing about December I was happy to set it on my shelf for the coming winter. I pulled it down this past December and settled in for some of the soul mending, dark Irish literature that Ryan does so well.
At first Johnsey wasn’t a character I connected with and I wasn’t enjoying the book. Granted one bad thing after another happens to this guy, but he was just so “poor me” that I couldn’t find the sympathy for him that usually hooks me in Irish novels. Instead I found myself thinking, oh for heaven sakes, buck up, would you! I put it aside, but the beauty of the writing was such that I knew I didn’t want to completely give up on it.
I picked it up again mid-January and perhaps it was my frame of mind or my sudden compassion for him when his mother died, but now the tension of the narrative was driving and I couldn’t put it down.
Johnsey’s parents think him a quiet boy, the village thinks him a bit slow. His naivety and inability to grasp modern society mean he doesn’t fit in. Schoolmates taunt him, townies harass him and seedy characters take advantage.
He inherits prime farmland when his parents pass. He doesn’t understands real estate or financial matters at all and those left to watch over him have their own best interests at heart more than his. The Celtic Tiger is just starting to roar and the land is rezoned and developers come knocking at his door. It seems the whole village wants him to sell - jobs, money, a better life for all of us they cry. He doesn’t know about any of that. He just knows his IRA ancestors fought and died for this land. It’s theirs, not his, and he can’t sell it.
After a severe beating that lands Johnsey in ICU, Ryan introduces two characters who seem to be on Johnsey’s side. These aren’t necessarily good people mind you. They are sad and pathetic in their own ways. They reminded me of the main characters of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. Johnsey can’t believe someone would like him and want to be his friend. He constantly worries about what to say, what to do, for fear they won’t anymore and his life will go back to being empty and lonely. Despite their flaws and the drama they bring to his life, they do give him the courage to stand up to the greedy developers and hold tight to the land he holds so dear.
But this is traditional Irish fiction, where there is rarely a happy ending. The brutal realities of life are primary and nothing gets tied up neatly. Events start to transpire rapidly, ever spiraling downward to a tragic climax. And the reader is left wondering, what happened? The “better” people of Johnsey’s world are left wondering, what have we done?
Ryan has again nailed the soul wrenchingly dark traditional Irish writing that heals the reader and this is a story worth curling up with. Strong tea and tissues optional, but recommended.
At first Johnsey wasn’t a character I connected with and I wasn’t enjoying the book. Granted one bad thing after another happens to this guy, but he was just so “poor me” that I couldn’t find the sympathy for him that usually hooks me in Irish novels. Instead I found myself thinking, oh for heaven sakes, buck up, would you! I put it aside, but the beauty of the writing was such that I knew I didn’t want to completely give up on it.
I picked it up again mid-January and perhaps it was my frame of mind or my sudden compassion for him when his mother died, but now the tension of the narrative was driving and I couldn’t put it down.
Johnsey’s parents think him a quiet boy, the village thinks him a bit slow. His naivety and inability to grasp modern society mean he doesn’t fit in. Schoolmates taunt him, townies harass him and seedy characters take advantage.
He inherits prime farmland when his parents pass. He doesn’t understands real estate or financial matters at all and those left to watch over him have their own best interests at heart more than his. The Celtic Tiger is just starting to roar and the land is rezoned and developers come knocking at his door. It seems the whole village wants him to sell - jobs, money, a better life for all of us they cry. He doesn’t know about any of that. He just knows his IRA ancestors fought and died for this land. It’s theirs, not his, and he can’t sell it.
After a severe beating that lands Johnsey in ICU, Ryan introduces two characters who seem to be on Johnsey’s side. These aren’t necessarily good people mind you. They are sad and pathetic in their own ways. They reminded me of the main characters of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. Johnsey can’t believe someone would like him and want to be his friend. He constantly worries about what to say, what to do, for fear they won’t anymore and his life will go back to being empty and lonely. Despite their flaws and the drama they bring to his life, they do give him the courage to stand up to the greedy developers and hold tight to the land he holds so dear.
But this is traditional Irish fiction, where there is rarely a happy ending. The brutal realities of life are primary and nothing gets tied up neatly. Events start to transpire rapidly, ever spiraling downward to a tragic climax. And the reader is left wondering, what happened? The “better” people of Johnsey’s world are left wondering, what have we done?
Ryan has again nailed the soul wrenchingly dark traditional Irish writing that heals the reader and this is a story worth curling up with. Strong tea and tissues optional, but recommended.
lep42's review against another edition
4.0
This was a hard one for me to get into, review, and rate. It was unrelentingly grim. I like my depressing Irish books, but I usually like them with a bit more black humor (like Claire Kilroy's [b:The Devil I Know|15836820|The Devil I Know|Claire Kilroy|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1345407641s/15836820.jpg|21575224]). The number of bad things that happened to Johnsey made the book almost unbelievable for me. On the other hand, although it took me awhile to get into the dialect (probably not a problem for Irish readers), I found Donal Ryan's prose gorgeous and there were several extremely poignant quotations about the nature of the human conditions. Passages like the one below took my breath away.
"Loneliness covers the earth like a blanket. It flows in the stream down through the Callows to the lake. It's in the muck in the yard and the briars in the haggard and the empty outbuildings are bursting with it. It runs down the walls inside of the house like tears and grows on the walls outside like a poisonous choking weed. It's in the sky and the stones and the clouds and the grass. The air is thick with it: you breath it into your lungs and you feel like it might suffocate you. It runs into hollow places like rainwater. It settles on the grass and on trees and takes their shapes and all the earth is wet with it. It has a smell, like the inside of a saucepan: scrapped metal, cold and sharp. When it hits you, it feels like a rap of a hurl across your knuckles on a frosty winter's morning. in PE: sharp, shocking pain, but inside you, so it can't be seen and no one says sorry for causing it nor asks are you ok, and no kind teacher wants to look at it and tut-tut and tell you you'll be grand, good lad. But you know if another man stood where you're standing and looked at the same things he wouldn't see it or feel it."
"Loneliness covers the earth like a blanket. It flows in the stream down through the Callows to the lake. It's in the muck in the yard and the briars in the haggard and the empty outbuildings are bursting with it. It runs down the walls inside of the house like tears and grows on the walls outside like a poisonous choking weed. It's in the sky and the stones and the clouds and the grass. The air is thick with it: you breath it into your lungs and you feel like it might suffocate you. It runs into hollow places like rainwater. It settles on the grass and on trees and takes their shapes and all the earth is wet with it. It has a smell, like the inside of a saucepan: scrapped metal, cold and sharp. When it hits you, it feels like a rap of a hurl across your knuckles on a frosty winter's morning. in PE: sharp, shocking pain, but inside you, so it can't be seen and no one says sorry for causing it nor asks are you ok, and no kind teacher wants to look at it and tut-tut and tell you you'll be grand, good lad. But you know if another man stood where you're standing and looked at the same things he wouldn't see it or feel it."