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_inge's review against another edition
I loved how Irish this was. The characters all felt really real. Father Slattery was hilariously awful, I could practically smell the pub and hear the banter inside, and the Irish phrases used I could sometimes ‘hear’ on paper.
The story mostly focuses on how The Troubles influenced people in their daily lives. This was visible at the start of every second chapter or so, for instance. It would start by summarising news from the area, and sometimes you’d get to hear how this news impacts the protagonist or if it’s connected to her in any way, yet other times this isn’t brought on as there’s no connection between her and the news whatsoever. This really showed how odd it must’ve been to live during this period; if the news doesn’t broadcast anything on someone you may now, you’d still be wary that this might happen another day. People try to go on with their daily lives but current affairs always seep through. I found this perspective refreshing.
The style of writing included a lot of shifts. Sometimes you’d not hear what a character is up to, but it would be alluded to it. Someone might stand in front of a house, for instance, but the next sentence describes how the doorknob feels. This character would be inside the house in the sentences that follow. So you don’t read about them twisting the doorknob themselves, or even stepping inside, but from the next few lines you get that they must now be inside the house. Every chapter started at a completely different point of the story too. In the previous chapter you may have read about the protagonist leaving one place, but the next chapter would cut to her being somewhere entirely different. This fragmented style sometimes means you have to actively work out what’s happening. It’s never too difficult, but I have had times where I got lost in the details of a certain place and got confused at the location of the next scene. The author doesn’t use quotation marks either, but because there’s quite a few characters in this you might have to work out who’s speaking, too.
I did find it interesting how every character is referred to by their first name. Even Cushla’s mum or brother are never referred to as being that to her. This makes for interesting writing concerning the affair; just like the protagonist you don’t know who Michael is to her. I don’t know whether this was a fully conscious choice, but I did like it.
This could’ve been a hard read, and I could get that this character focused story could make that even more so for some, but there was hope found within the pages. People were as horrible as they were kind to each other. Throughout reading you’re never too sure what the intentions of each character are, and if their actions are wrong or right. That makes for an interesting read.
The story mostly focuses on how The Troubles influenced people in their daily lives. This was visible at the start of every second chapter or so, for instance. It would start by summarising news from the area, and sometimes you’d get to hear how this news impacts the protagonist or if it’s connected to her in any way, yet other times this isn’t brought on as there’s no connection between her and the news whatsoever. This really showed how odd it must’ve been to live during this period; if the news doesn’t broadcast anything on someone you may now, you’d still be wary that this might happen another day. People try to go on with their daily lives but current affairs always seep through. I found this perspective refreshing.
The style of writing included a lot of shifts. Sometimes you’d not hear what a character is up to, but it would be alluded to it. Someone might stand in front of a house, for instance, but the next sentence describes how the doorknob feels. This character would be inside the house in the sentences that follow. So you don’t read about them twisting the doorknob themselves, or even stepping inside, but from the next few lines you get that they must now be inside the house. Every chapter started at a completely different point of the story too. In the previous chapter you may have read about the protagonist leaving one place, but the next chapter would cut to her being somewhere entirely different. This fragmented style sometimes means you have to actively work out what’s happening. It’s never too difficult, but I have had times where I got lost in the details of a certain place and got confused at the location of the next scene. The author doesn’t use quotation marks either, but because there’s quite a few characters in this you might have to work out who’s speaking, too.
I did find it interesting how every character is referred to by their first name. Even Cushla’s mum or brother are never referred to as being that to her. This makes for interesting writing concerning the affair; just like the protagonist you don’t know who Michael is to her. I don’t know whether this was a fully conscious choice, but I did like it.
This could’ve been a hard read, and I could get that this character focused story could make that even more so for some, but there was hope found within the pages. People were as horrible as they were kind to each other. Throughout reading you’re never too sure what the intentions of each character are, and if their actions are wrong or right. That makes for an interesting read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Infidelity, Grief, Death, Addiction, Violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
madamelacy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Cushla befriends a Catholic family in need after the father of one of her pupils is severely beaten. The two strands of her life, as a teacher and as Michael’s lover, become inextricably linked.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Hate crime, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Minor: Death of parent
geraldinerowe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Trespasses is utterly heartbreaking, not just as far as the main relationship in the story is concerned, but all of those around it as well as the times in which it was set. I found the power balance in the affair between Cushla and Michael somewhat problematic, even beyond its acknowledgement by the author, and Cushla's awareness of it and willingness to continue nevertheless, which slightly soured the romance of it for me. The language is beautiful and pulls you along with it (despite the fashionable lack of speech marks), but what will stay with me is the difficulty faced by people trying to live vaguely normal lives at that time. And Davy. I love Davy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, and Violence
Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, and Miscarriage
ineedmorecoffee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Damn you, Louise Kennedy, for making me feel things.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, War, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence
kjb2003's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Police brutality, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
suzsta's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
A winding tale of life in Troubles-era Belfast, Trespasses offers an intimate image of an affair across political divides and it's fallout. Concerned at it's core with love, our choices, and the grey areas of morality in which life is lived, this book is in turns gut wrenching and painfully familiar. A loving yet stark portrayal of family life, addiction, and the complexities of relationships that could at any point be tainted by sectarian violence and prejudice, this book is a solid read for anyone with an interest in the day to day lives of those living in the shadow of the Troubles.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for access to this ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for access to this ARC.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Alcoholism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, and Murder
happyknitter2020's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Devastating beautiful. One of the best books I have ever read, possibl top book for 2023 & hopefully The Women's Prize 2023 Winner.
A insight into the daily lived experience of the community during conflict in Ireland.
A insight into the daily lived experience of the community during conflict in Ireland.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Police brutality, Violence, Gun violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
amys_hygge_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Trespasses by Louise Kennedy was the @tiredmammybookclub January book. Unfortunately I didn’t make it to the Zoom, so missed the chats on this one!
The Story 📚
Set in Northern Ireland during the time of the Troubles, we meet Cushla - a young Catholic, primary school teacher. In her family’s bar, Cushla meets Michael, an older, married, Protestant man. The pair begin to develop a relationship, as we follow the events that follow and how Cushla’s environment impacts her daily life.
The Review 👩🏻💻
I really wanted to give this book a higher rating, but I didn’t enjoy the love story - and realistically it’s the main plot of the book. Honestly it gave me the ick! I really felt like there was no chemistry between Cushla and Michael. The large age gap, and how Michael treated Cushla, I just found it all a bit weird and unenjoyable as the main plot. Maybe we weren’t supposed to enjoy it, but it took away from the book for me.
That being said, I loved the book otherwise, and would have preferred more time spent on the subplots. The descriptions of life in the North during the Troubles were incredible. I felt like I was there in each moment. Horrible events which the author bluntly and brutally depicts, constantly lurking in the background of every aspect of Cushla’s life.
The other characters in the novel were brilliant, especially Davy! The relationship Cushla formed with Davy and his family was equally special and complex. Also the dynamic between Cushla’s immediate family, and her relationship with her coworker Gerry.
I recently bought Kennedy’s book The End of the World is a Cul de Sac when I found it on sale in a bookstore here in Copenhagen. Really looking forward to reading it as I enjoyed her writing style.
The Story 📚
Set in Northern Ireland during the time of the Troubles, we meet Cushla - a young Catholic, primary school teacher. In her family’s bar, Cushla meets Michael, an older, married, Protestant man. The pair begin to develop a relationship, as we follow the events that follow and how Cushla’s environment impacts her daily life.
The Review 👩🏻💻
I really wanted to give this book a higher rating, but I didn’t enjoy the love story - and realistically it’s the main plot of the book. Honestly it gave me the ick! I really felt like there was no chemistry between Cushla and Michael. The large age gap, and how Michael treated Cushla, I just found it all a bit weird and unenjoyable as the main plot. Maybe we weren’t supposed to enjoy it, but it took away from the book for me.
That being said, I loved the book otherwise, and would have preferred more time spent on the subplots. The descriptions of life in the North during the Troubles were incredible. I felt like I was there in each moment. Horrible events which the author bluntly and brutally depicts, constantly lurking in the background of every aspect of Cushla’s life.
The other characters in the novel were brilliant, especially Davy! The relationship Cushla formed with Davy and his family was equally special and complex. Also the dynamic between Cushla’s immediate family, and her relationship with her coworker Gerry.
I recently bought Kennedy’s book The End of the World is a Cul de Sac when I found it on sale in a bookstore here in Copenhagen. Really looking forward to reading it as I enjoyed her writing style.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Death, Hate crime, and Injury/Injury detail
rochelles_reading_journal's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Infidelity, Hate crime, Sexual harassment, Death, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Murder, Violence, and Addiction
travelseatsreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I wasn't sure what to expect when I read the blurb for Trespasses but what I got was a gripping, haunting & deeply evocative story of love & loss amidst The Troubles in 1970s Ireland.
Louise Kennedy's writing throughout these pages is quite simply flawless. From the first few lines I was captured & taken straight to 1970s Northern Ireland. The prose is so entrancingly evocative & effortless that I could smell the putrid thick smoke in the air, feel the hard bar stool pinching at my thighs & almost taste the oaky amber liquids swirling in Michael's glass.
Every single character Kennedy has written is very much their own distinct individual with contrasting beliefs, morals & quirks. What they all have in common is that they are so raw & real & are not pretending to be anything that they aren't. There are characters that I absolutely hated, to the point where I almost snarled as they appeared on the pages, there were characters who simply broke my heart & left me crushed by the situation they were in & then there were those that I just couldn't get a hold of, so slippery just like in life when you don't know what to make of someone.
The book overflows with extreme emotions & I feel that's down to Louise's ability to depict the true reality of events & festering atmosphere of 1970s Ireland so realistically that it is hard not to feel the intense fear terror & anger that was bubbling within the people at the time.
Often when I'm reading, I simply just read & enjoy the story & maybe try to figure out the plot. However, with Trespasses I was so engrossed within the words that I found myself visualising every scenario playing out in my head in vivid detail, to say I was caught within the flow of the storyline would be an absolute understatement. I found myself so enthralled that when it came to the ending it honestly felt like a punch to the stomach, which inevitably kept on coming. It is a long time since I've been so enthralled by a book that I simply just experienced it & enjoyed it without wondering what was coming next.
A beautifully raw & brutal piece of writing which stirred huge emotions & will stay with me for quite some time to come.
Louise Kennedy's writing throughout these pages is quite simply flawless. From the first few lines I was captured & taken straight to 1970s Northern Ireland. The prose is so entrancingly evocative & effortless that I could smell the putrid thick smoke in the air, feel the hard bar stool pinching at my thighs & almost taste the oaky amber liquids swirling in Michael's glass.
Every single character Kennedy has written is very much their own distinct individual with contrasting beliefs, morals & quirks. What they all have in common is that they are so raw & real & are not pretending to be anything that they aren't. There are characters that I absolutely hated, to the point where I almost snarled as they appeared on the pages, there were characters who simply broke my heart & left me crushed by the situation they were in & then there were those that I just couldn't get a hold of, so slippery just like in life when you don't know what to make of someone.
The book overflows with extreme emotions & I feel that's down to Louise's ability to depict the true reality of events & festering atmosphere of 1970s Ireland so realistically that it is hard not to feel the intense fear terror & anger that was bubbling within the people at the time.
Often when I'm reading, I simply just read & enjoy the story & maybe try to figure out the plot. However, with Trespasses I was so engrossed within the words that I found myself visualising every scenario playing out in my head in vivid detail, to say I was caught within the flow of the storyline would be an absolute understatement. I found myself so enthralled that when it came to the ending it honestly felt like a punch to the stomach, which inevitably kept on coming. It is a long time since I've been so enthralled by a book that I simply just experienced it & enjoyed it without wondering what was coming next.
A beautifully raw & brutal piece of writing which stirred huge emotions & will stay with me for quite some time to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, War, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Police brutality, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, and Violence
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