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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
A masterpiece of 145 pages. You wonder how long she had the story in her mind before she committed it to paper. A gem of a book.
I love a story that makes me think. The All of It is the story of an Irish priest, Father Declan, who learns a secret about members of his parish. As Kevin is dying, he tells the priest that he and Enda (which for a while I read as Edna) are not married. After Kevin's death, Enda is left to relate their story to the priest. Father Declan is torn between his roles as priest (judging) and friend (understanding). Although I wanted to know more of Kevin and Enda's story, Father Declan's struggle was the focus. During a day of fishing, the priest reviews in his mind, while struggling with bad weather and a scarcity of fishing luck, and in the end comes to a decision about Enda.
Haien is a masterful story teller; I enjoyed her descriptions of the countryside and even the fishing. Enda seemed such a lovely, practical, wise woman. I would like to know more of her story. I admired the steadfastness of her religious practice, despite her "sin."
I am so glad that Goodreads highlighted this book, read by Terzah years ago, and that I read her review that prompted me to read this book.
"Ladled from the same pot of broth" (76) [Such an apt description of the closeness of the community as seen by newcomers]
"One thing I've learned, Father - that in this life it's best to keep the then and the now and the what's-to-be as close together in your thoughts as you can. It's when you let gaps creep in, when you separate out the intervals and dwell on them, that you can't bear the sorrow." (95)
"To work one's imagination on someone else is evil." (116) [Father Declan's "frequent, impassioned mulls from the pulpit]
Haien is a masterful story teller; I enjoyed her descriptions of the countryside and even the fishing. Enda seemed such a lovely, practical, wise woman. I would like to know more of her story. I admired the steadfastness of her religious practice, despite her "sin."
I am so glad that Goodreads highlighted this book, read by Terzah years ago, and that I read her review that prompted me to read this book.
"Ladled from the same pot of broth" (76) [Such an apt description of the closeness of the community as seen by newcomers]
"One thing I've learned, Father - that in this life it's best to keep the then and the now and the what's-to-be as close together in your thoughts as you can. It's when you let gaps creep in, when you separate out the intervals and dwell on them, that you can't bear the sorrow." (95)
"To work one's imagination on someone else is evil." (116) [Father Declan's "frequent, impassioned mulls from the pulpit]
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Even though the book is short, I think it could have been shortened a great deal more. It felt like a lot of the dialogue was rather pointless, "Oh, but I shouldn't tell you!" and "Oh, but you must go on!" without much more actual telling of the story. I really did like the plot though. It felt a bit buried though.
A slender slip of a book that is one of the greats. Haien simply, perfectly, elegantly tells us about the best and worst of men and women with a sly little smile.
I read this book because it was on one of the lists in The Sentence. What the heck were you thinking with this one, Louise?!
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes