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beetlady's review against another edition
5.0
This book ripped my heart out and ground it to applesauce.
Not what I was expecting based on the blurb.
Not what I was expecting based on the blurb.
sber8121's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
merrynthomas's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Death, Death of parent, Suicide, and Grief
bartvanovermeire's review against another edition
3.0
It took me a while to get into this book. And no wild laughter either, but a rather predictable story about a farmer family in the Celtic Tiger years and the subsequent crisis.
tommooney's review against another edition
5.0
I mean, wow. What a talent.
There's a temptation to compare Caoilinn Hughes with other ludicrously talented Irish writers of the current generation - the proof copy I read was plastered with quotes from Kevin Barry, Sebastian Barry and John Banville, among others. And her inventive, brave prose style does have similarities with the likes of Barry (Kevin).
But, reading this quite brilliant novel, I was most reminded of the great writers of the American South. Religion, warring brothers, a bitter matriarch, a fallen hero patriarch, crime and punishment - all set in a rural, farming community beset by economic problems, history of famine and an uncertain future. What about that doesn't scream Faulkner, McCarthy, Steinbeck or McCullers?
Hughes blends a distinctive, challenging storytelling voice with a gripping and dark family story. There are elements of humour, too, but they are as black as the clouds which threaten rain so often in this bleak corner of Ireland.
If Faulkner were alive today, this is the kind of rich, daring, contemporary fable he'd be weaving. It is masterly.
There's a temptation to compare Caoilinn Hughes with other ludicrously talented Irish writers of the current generation - the proof copy I read was plastered with quotes from Kevin Barry, Sebastian Barry and John Banville, among others. And her inventive, brave prose style does have similarities with the likes of Barry (Kevin).
But, reading this quite brilliant novel, I was most reminded of the great writers of the American South. Religion, warring brothers, a bitter matriarch, a fallen hero patriarch, crime and punishment - all set in a rural, farming community beset by economic problems, history of famine and an uncertain future. What about that doesn't scream Faulkner, McCarthy, Steinbeck or McCullers?
Hughes blends a distinctive, challenging storytelling voice with a gripping and dark family story. There are elements of humour, too, but they are as black as the clouds which threaten rain so often in this bleak corner of Ireland.
If Faulkner were alive today, this is the kind of rich, daring, contemporary fable he'd be weaving. It is masterly.
05hamiltonk's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked this book but can't say I always understood it! I always struggle with black comedy. It didn't make me laugh. Was it meant to? But it definitely pulled at my heart strings
jesshyoung's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jessicah95's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. A very very good novel. Couldn’t quite give it 5 as I struggled through parts of it, but the last few chapters definitely tempted me. Also this is my last read for the Reading Rush and it became a bit of a slog for me, which is in no way a reflection on the quality of this book. I will reread this when I am not forcing myself to finish it in two days - lol.
I’d be very surprised if this wasn’t longlisted for the Booker this year. Not that I’m a huge follower or fan of the prize, but it just screams literary prize catnip to me. At first I was getting very strong Milkman vibes, and there are indeed comparisons. But this was not as stylized as Milkman and was pretty compulsively readable after the first few chapters.
Also, reading this makes me want to go back to her debut novel, The Orchid & the Wasp, which I can recall enjoying at the time, but not quite ‘getting’. In reading this, I kept thinking back to that reading experience, quite vividly recalling some moments, but not the plot entirely.
Hughes is a talent for sure. Read this book, guys!
I’d be very surprised if this wasn’t longlisted for the Booker this year. Not that I’m a huge follower or fan of the prize, but it just screams literary prize catnip to me. At first I was getting very strong Milkman vibes, and there are indeed comparisons. But this was not as stylized as Milkman and was pretty compulsively readable after the first few chapters.
Also, reading this makes me want to go back to her debut novel, The Orchid & the Wasp, which I can recall enjoying at the time, but not quite ‘getting’. In reading this, I kept thinking back to that reading experience, quite vividly recalling some moments, but not the plot entirely.
Hughes is a talent for sure. Read this book, guys!
maryquigley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0