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emath98's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
recycledwords's review against another edition
2.0
This novel tackles such interesting topics as depression, remote rural life, isolation, and inequality in relationships.
A family is faced with a devastating suicide, the novel flips between the present day and a review of the relationship between Murtagh and Maeve from the day they meet up until the present. The descriptions are a little too long for my liking and I found it difficult to get caught up in the story. I felt like this novel could have been 30% shorter and would be better for it.
A family is faced with a devastating suicide, the novel flips between the present day and a review of the relationship between Murtagh and Maeve from the day they meet up until the present. The descriptions are a little too long for my liking and I found it difficult to get caught up in the story. I felt like this novel could have been 30% shorter and would be better for it.
leah_shearer's review
challenging
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
harrietmarydean's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
chloereck's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I wasn't hooked by this one. I felt as though the added plotline of the father being gay was somewhat unnecessary. Maeve was supposed to come across as powerful but instead I just felt like her life was wasted. I did like ho they portrayed suicide as a powerful act and not a desperate one by someone in the throws of depression.
paulsnelling's review against another edition
3.0
Big themes here: love and grief and acceptance. Too many probably for a shortish book, and implausible in places, unexplained in others. But for all that it’s incredibly moving occasionally. Probably 3.5 stars
kdurham2's review against another edition
3.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
With a prologue where the reader finds out the matriarch has died, the story is set to begin and end tragically. Murtagh and Maeve Moone meet and marry and soon enter parenthood. With hints at postpartum depression, this book is subtle and sly, but if read closely and clearly it can make quite a punch.
After the prologue, the reader is taken back in time as this family is built and goes through moments as time as four children come along and the family deals with the ups and downs of life - maybe more downs for a few of them. This book had plot, but was really all about the characters. It took me a bit to get connected with the characters and really be invested in following their journeys. I wanted to see where this family would end up and where the prologue would fit in the story - I was glad where it landed and that there was story to be had after the tragedy occurred.
With a prologue where the reader finds out the matriarch has died, the story is set to begin and end tragically. Murtagh and Maeve Moone meet and marry and soon enter parenthood. With hints at postpartum depression, this book is subtle and sly, but if read closely and clearly it can make quite a punch.
After the prologue, the reader is taken back in time as this family is built and goes through moments as time as four children come along and the family deals with the ups and downs of life - maybe more downs for a few of them. This book had plot, but was really all about the characters. It took me a bit to get connected with the characters and really be invested in following their journeys. I wanted to see where this family would end up and where the prologue would fit in the story - I was glad where it landed and that there was story to be had after the tragedy occurred.
jove64's review
5.0
This is a beautiful book about family, grief, and love. There is also something in here about belonging. Making a decision to move somewhere and how you make that your home. But also what makes it feel less welcoming and what might change that.
portybelle's review against another edition
5.0
The Truth Must Dazzle Gradually is a superb novel exploring parenthood, mental illness, loss, grief and above all love. It perhaps sounds from that list that it would be quite a heavy read but it isn't. It is a compelling and emotive book telling the love story of Murtagh and Maeve and their four children, living on a small island off the west coast of Ireland.
Helen Cullen has written so poignantly and insightfully about the effects of mental illness on this family and I was particularly moved by the way Murtagh loved his 'darkling' Maeve throughout all her ups and down. He loved her unconditionally no matter what dark days they experienced. Maeve was someone who I think it is impossible to feel anything but compassion for. My heart went out to her when she said that she loved acting as she got to play a version of herself who wasn't afraid and that this became her reality. Although this was about her acting, it was very much a reflection of her life too.
Following the family in the wake of their loss was emotional as we found out exactly how each member responded to the circumstances. I particularly loved the image of 'kintsugi', which is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery in a way which does not hide the damage but in fact highlights it, using gold or silver lacquer to create something different, still beautiful, strong and whole again. This was so apt for the Moone family as they eventually healed in ways they could not have anticipated and found love and beauty again in their lives.
The Truth Must Dazzle Gradually is beautifully written, compassionate and utterly compelling.
Helen Cullen has written so poignantly and insightfully about the effects of mental illness on this family and I was particularly moved by the way Murtagh loved his 'darkling' Maeve throughout all her ups and down. He loved her unconditionally no matter what dark days they experienced. Maeve was someone who I think it is impossible to feel anything but compassion for. My heart went out to her when she said that she loved acting as she got to play a version of herself who wasn't afraid and that this became her reality. Although this was about her acting, it was very much a reflection of her life too.
Following the family in the wake of their loss was emotional as we found out exactly how each member responded to the circumstances. I particularly loved the image of 'kintsugi', which is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery in a way which does not hide the damage but in fact highlights it, using gold or silver lacquer to create something different, still beautiful, strong and whole again. This was so apt for the Moone family as they eventually healed in ways they could not have anticipated and found love and beauty again in their lives.
The Truth Must Dazzle Gradually is beautifully written, compassionate and utterly compelling.
merida20's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75