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laceyslibrarybooksta's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Books & Helen Cullen for a copy of this novel exchange for an honest review.
This story follows Maeve and Murtagh Moone over 37 years. They first meet in Dublin at Trinity College where they quickly fall in love, get married and have children. You follow them and their stories to 2005 where tragedy strikes their family. You aren’t sure what’s happening until you start to see what’s been going on in their lives throughout this entire timeline.
I found the beginning to be a little slow. Stories that take place decades ago are very much not my cup of tea, and for that I thought it might’ve just been me. However, after we started to get closer to the reason why the tragedy happened the way it did, it really picked up well.
This story was very original. I loved learning about Maeve and Murtagh. Their stories were separate but together at the same time. Helen Cullen wrote hard hitting topics very well. There were a lot of mental health references that were able to be related to and that was very important for this type of story.
The feelings that this book has is sad, but also hopeful. It’s very sad to see how mental health can affect so much in one’s life, but it’s hopeful to see the potential of getting through these things and watching family come together.
This book reminded me of the movie Across the Universe which is the movie about the Beatles songs written in. It goes through the years, watching the characters, seeing their stories and where they end up all those years later. Sad, but hopeful. This was my first Helen Cullen novel, and even though it is something I normally wouldn’t go for, I’d definitely read another book of hers. The writing was done very well and I’d recommend this book those who really enjoy fiction stories with hard hitting topics.
This story follows Maeve and Murtagh Moone over 37 years. They first meet in Dublin at Trinity College where they quickly fall in love, get married and have children. You follow them and their stories to 2005 where tragedy strikes their family. You aren’t sure what’s happening until you start to see what’s been going on in their lives throughout this entire timeline.
I found the beginning to be a little slow. Stories that take place decades ago are very much not my cup of tea, and for that I thought it might’ve just been me. However, after we started to get closer to the reason why the tragedy happened the way it did, it really picked up well.
This story was very original. I loved learning about Maeve and Murtagh. Their stories were separate but together at the same time. Helen Cullen wrote hard hitting topics very well. There were a lot of mental health references that were able to be related to and that was very important for this type of story.
The feelings that this book has is sad, but also hopeful. It’s very sad to see how mental health can affect so much in one’s life, but it’s hopeful to see the potential of getting through these things and watching family come together.
This book reminded me of the movie Across the Universe which is the movie about the Beatles songs written in. It goes through the years, watching the characters, seeing their stories and where they end up all those years later. Sad, but hopeful. This was my first Helen Cullen novel, and even though it is something I normally wouldn’t go for, I’d definitely read another book of hers. The writing was done very well and I’d recommend this book those who really enjoy fiction stories with hard hitting topics.
mh_books's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.5
A wee family epic set mostly on the Aran Islands off the West coast of Ireland. If you like Maggie O'Farrell you almost certainly will love this. Bring plenty of tissues!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts
mommasaystoread's review against another edition
3.0
The Dazzling Truth is a journey, and not an easy one. It's beautifully written, which goes a long way toward getting through to the end because it hits on some darkness. I found the blurb to be a bit misleading - not necessarily on purpose, but I didn't quite expect what I found. That's not a bad thing, but for me, it was a difficult process while dealing with my own loss as well as the worry of the circumstances we all find ourselves in with a global pandemic. That's not to say that I didn't get caught up in the story and its characters because I certainly did. I will say that this one feels all too real, so if you're looking for an easy read for a bit of escapism, you won't find that here. Helen Cullen has written an emotional story of love, loss, and family that spans decades. It's the type of story that gets you right in the feels, the kind that you won't soon forget, but be prepared for the journey because it isn't an easy one.
stephgreed's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
3.5
islaofkiki's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
monkreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? No
4.0
ljmuldoon's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bgg616's review against another edition
4.0
This is the story of Murtagh, who falls in love and marries an American student Maeve, he meets in Dublin in 1978. At the very opening of the book, Maeve has disappeared and is discovered drowned. It is the story of mental illness in a family, and the silences that surround it. Murtagh trains as a potter and is given the opportunity to take over the business of a retiring potter who lives on an island, near Galway. Maeve is an actress and though she hopes to carry on acting after moving to the island, they are too far from Galway.
From the beginning, we know Maeve suffers from depression Like many who have this disease, she cannot tolerate medication and does her best, using alternative ways of coping with the symptoms. She has 4 children including a set of twins, and childbirth leaves her with postnatal depression. Murtagh tries to make up for Maeve's lack of maternal affection. His pottery business is a success thanks to the large number of tourists who visit the island.
The book takes a turn at the end which may leave some readers dissatisfied I am a reader who does not like things that seem to spring out of thin air. Decide for yourselves
From the beginning, we know Maeve suffers from depression Like many who have this disease, she cannot tolerate medication and does her best, using alternative ways of coping with the symptoms. She has 4 children including a set of twins, and childbirth leaves her with postnatal depression. Murtagh tries to make up for Maeve's lack of maternal affection. His pottery business is a success thanks to the large number of tourists who visit the island.
The book takes a turn at the end which may leave some readers dissatisfied I am a reader who does not like things that seem to spring out of thin air. Decide for yourselves
i_hype_romance's review against another edition
4.0
A huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
This tightly woven family drama drew me into its arms like a cozy blanket. I was transported to an island where the cadence of Gaelic falls soft on the ears, where magic happens and stories are crafted.
I agonized with Maeve over her struggles with darkness and her feelings of helplessness. I empathized with Murtagh over his fragile hope, tender care and unwavering devotion. I cried with the four children as they navigate the treacherous waters of their mother's battle with mental illness.
This book offers both profoud truths and a hope of sanctuary. We are all broken. We all bend. Love is precious no matter where we choose to bestow it - amd nurtures even in the bleakest of circumstances.
If you love family sagas with finely drawn characters, unflinching portrayals of reality and honest examinations of the complex mechanics of grief, you will love this book.
This tightly woven family drama drew me into its arms like a cozy blanket. I was transported to an island where the cadence of Gaelic falls soft on the ears, where magic happens and stories are crafted.
I agonized with Maeve over her struggles with darkness and her feelings of helplessness. I empathized with Murtagh over his fragile hope, tender care and unwavering devotion. I cried with the four children as they navigate the treacherous waters of their mother's battle with mental illness.
This book offers both profoud truths and a hope of sanctuary. We are all broken. We all bend. Love is precious no matter where we choose to bestow it - amd nurtures even in the bleakest of circumstances.
If you love family sagas with finely drawn characters, unflinching portrayals of reality and honest examinations of the complex mechanics of grief, you will love this book.