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rzh's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I’m sorry but this was so BORING!!! I know it’s a pillar of irish modernism etc etc but I was just left wanting for description all the way through: appearances were never described, and emotions were blankly stated, told rather than shown. I know that there’s supposed to be this brooding threatening undercurrent of moran’s abusive behaviour all the way through the book but it rarely was obvious enough to be of note. Perhaps that’s the point? That abuse is so underlying that, when made excuses for, it can lie completely unnoticed? Maybe. I don’t know. I just felt like he was just a grumpy old man for the majority of the book, perhaps save a few red-flag outbursts. I felt like there were so many unanswered questions particularly about Luke, his leaving, what happened etc., which was frustrating. Just a bit subtle for me. Despite it being short, it took a good couple days for me to finish it because it was just so dull, and the ending is not climactic nor poignant. 2/5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Death of parent, Death, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal death and War
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