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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
“a scattering trying to become a gathering”. That's what I felt about this book at first, but in the end it came together with beautiful words and love-filled emotions. Pretty extraordinary.
I struggled through much of this book, all while appreciating that it was indeed something unique. I loved the last 50 pages. I think at a different time I would have liked it more.
This was a hard book for me to rate because I could see Williams' skill with language, character and story, but it just wasn't for me. 'Poetic', a lot of the reviews say, and it is, but I think I prefer my writing more pared back; plainer. But if a more exuberant style is one you like, I'd definitely recommend this.
challenging
emotional
reflective
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:
Complicated
Loved, loved, loved this book. If you love books and writing and have ever thought about writing your own book, History of the Rain should bring you nothing but joy.
May not be for everyone but as a constant reader and book lover, it spoke to me.
This book should get a thousand stars. I found it on the long list for the Man Booker and if it doesn't win, there is something wrong with the world. The writing is pure poetry that will make you read the pages over and over again just so you can keep hearing the words like music. A young woman bedridden by an unknown illness takes the reader on a journey to relive her family history through her father's book collection. There is so much sadness here and the characters are so incredibly broken, but there is so much love. At the end that's what this book is - a love letter to this family and the people they have lost, to the great search for validation and meaning in life, to books and readers, and most of all to Ireland. Niall Williams is a master.
This is easily one of the most beautiful works of fiction I have read in the past five years (or more). If you are considering whether to give it a chance or not, keep the following in mind: 1) it may take you the first 100 pages or so to absorb both the spirit and the storyline of the novel; stick with it; your persistence will pay off 2) I don't believe Williams intended this to be a "readers' book," but it really helps to be up-to-date on your canon of great literature; this novel celebrates both the act of reading and the rich legacy of world literature, and the experience is that much richer if you, as a reader, understand most of the literary allusions; I found this part of the book charming, but I can imagine that it might strike others as snobbish and/or forbidding. Lastly, allow the book to flow through you; don't worry about knowing what exactly is happening at any point, because the book calls for experiencing some existential uncertainty. Yes, it is not exactly a "happy" read, but neither is life when we consider it honestly.
Beautiful, lyrical, funny, sad. Read the blurb, it is the perfect review. Read it, savour it, laugh and cry. A fantastic read.