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sydfay03's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
finished this one right before the end of the month. this book was beautiful from start to finish. the imagery was stunning and the words so moving. i loved reading this as part of my learning on the violence in Ireland in the late 1900s. this memoir is special on its own and as part of a collection of works discussing and reflecting on that period in time in Ireland
emilybh's review against another edition
4.0
'Through deeply traumatic and unsettled times I have been brought or found my own way across that border to seek solace in the weeds and wilderness held its hidden, healing, thin places.'
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Thin Places by Kerri ní Dochartaigh is a beautifully written book that deals with raw, difficult experiences in a wise and careful way. It is about borders and trauma, love and loss, and the edges of nature, from lichen on rocks, to a moth by the sea or ladybirds in the backyard of a house on a council estate. A moving account of the author's life on the boundary between the North and South of Ireland, and a book that feels right for this dark and in-between time we're living through.
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Thin Places by Kerri ní Dochartaigh is a beautifully written book that deals with raw, difficult experiences in a wise and careful way. It is about borders and trauma, love and loss, and the edges of nature, from lichen on rocks, to a moth by the sea or ladybirds in the backyard of a house on a council estate. A moving account of the author's life on the boundary between the North and South of Ireland, and a book that feels right for this dark and in-between time we're living through.
mpatterson610's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
I really loved the authors voice and her story of grief and trauma was beautifully told and wound up with Ireland and natural history.
rworrall78's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
I found the descriptions of real events desperately sad and at the same time, informative. They helped me to better understand a little what life must have been like growing up in a town like Derry. I absolutely loved the first third of the book.
I loved the more concrete descriptons of natural places and of the city. I enjoyed the glimpses of myth and folklore and would have liked more of that.
The lyrical prose seemed to have themes, borders, layers, skin, bones, blood, dancing, light, moths, water, oak trees, v-shapes. I can list them because I feel like I read them a thousand times in under 300 pages. All with little structure or conclusion. Those parts quickly became frustrating, I would have liked more sense of progression or purpose.
Dates and places were mentioned but not clearly enough to give a sense of chronology or even really of geography.
The way the book tackled serious trauma and mental health was excellent, sensitive and insightful.
As much to love as to feel frustrated with. I wasn't tempted leave it, and picked up pace as I got towards the end.
I loved the more concrete descriptons of natural places and of the city. I enjoyed the glimpses of myth and folklore and would have liked more of that.
The lyrical prose seemed to have themes, borders, layers, skin, bones, blood, dancing, light, moths, water, oak trees, v-shapes. I can list them because I feel like I read them a thousand times in under 300 pages. All with little structure or conclusion. Those parts quickly became frustrating, I would have liked more sense of progression or purpose.
Dates and places were mentioned but not clearly enough to give a sense of chronology or even really of geography.
The way the book tackled serious trauma and mental health was excellent, sensitive and insightful.
As much to love as to feel frustrated with. I wasn't tempted leave it, and picked up pace as I got towards the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism