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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
A charming book which will stay with me for a long time. Maurice Hannigan is nearing the end of his life. The 84-year-old Irishman sits at a bar of the grand hotel, the former manor house where he and his mother worked and where Maurice suffered at the hands of a bully. Maurice raises his glass to the five people who meant the most to him in his life: his brother Anthony, his stillborn daughter Molly, his sister-in-law Noreen, his wife Sadie, and his son Kevin. As he toasts each one, Maurice reflects on his triumphs and mistakes in life, on his love, deceit and devotion. I listened to the audio version of this story. Narrated in the Irish brogue, I felt as though I was right there with the characters. The writing is lovely.
I loved everything about Maurice’s story, and reading it was a personally resonant experience. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Before I even knew exactly what I was reading, who Maurice was, and what type of story he was telling me, he felt familiar. I connected instantly to him on a deeply resonant level, and that made the book for me.
I had to read When All Is Said in bits and chunks because it felt so personal. I thought of my grandparents and how they must have reflected on their lives. I thought of my late beloved great aunts who have recently passed away and led full, meaningful, big love kinds of lives. I thought of my aging parents and how they have a full lifetime on which to reflect, as unfortunately, their ailments seem to add and never take away, much as Maurice’s do. The connection was to one family member in particular, and in these pages I found both pain and comfort.
Maurice’s story could be any of our stories. He puts his life out there in an open and upfront way. He easily could tell us only the highs, but he carefully and thoughtfully revisits the lows; some with regret and others with firm resolve. He is as complex as they come, but as I felt his heart, I had to keep reminding myself that this is Maurice’s story, and not one of my relatives. I was that connected.
I read many pages through tears, and sometimes my sadness was overbearing, but again, I know my personal connection played a part. In some ways this book was therapeutic for me, having me think about this reflection on life.
In a nutshell, When All Is Said is a beautifully-told story of Maurice’s life as he tells it. He is toasting those most impactful in his life and telling us their importance to him. He has regrets, but he has so many moments in which he shines, and I am not certain he knows that because he’s so humble.
I usually do my brief synopsis first, but instead I addressed how When All Is Said made me feel. Honestly, I’m crying now as I write this review, and that’s unusual for me. I know not everyone will have the intense connection I did to the subject matter, but if you do, wow. My words are at a loss here other than to suggest you read the book.
I want to sincerely thank Anne Griffin for Maurice’s story.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Before I even knew exactly what I was reading, who Maurice was, and what type of story he was telling me, he felt familiar. I connected instantly to him on a deeply resonant level, and that made the book for me.
I had to read When All Is Said in bits and chunks because it felt so personal. I thought of my grandparents and how they must have reflected on their lives. I thought of my late beloved great aunts who have recently passed away and led full, meaningful, big love kinds of lives. I thought of my aging parents and how they have a full lifetime on which to reflect, as unfortunately, their ailments seem to add and never take away, much as Maurice’s do. The connection was to one family member in particular, and in these pages I found both pain and comfort.
Maurice’s story could be any of our stories. He puts his life out there in an open and upfront way. He easily could tell us only the highs, but he carefully and thoughtfully revisits the lows; some with regret and others with firm resolve. He is as complex as they come, but as I felt his heart, I had to keep reminding myself that this is Maurice’s story, and not one of my relatives. I was that connected.
I read many pages through tears, and sometimes my sadness was overbearing, but again, I know my personal connection played a part. In some ways this book was therapeutic for me, having me think about this reflection on life.
In a nutshell, When All Is Said is a beautifully-told story of Maurice’s life as he tells it. He is toasting those most impactful in his life and telling us their importance to him. He has regrets, but he has so many moments in which he shines, and I am not certain he knows that because he’s so humble.
I usually do my brief synopsis first, but instead I addressed how When All Is Said made me feel. Honestly, I’m crying now as I write this review, and that’s unusual for me. I know not everyone will have the intense connection I did to the subject matter, but if you do, wow. My words are at a loss here other than to suggest you read the book.
I want to sincerely thank Anne Griffin for Maurice’s story.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Read the book, they said. You'll love it, they said. You all lied. You are all liars.
To me, this sounded like The Notebook-ish, a love story told by an old man. I was in the mood for a tear-jerker and instead I was bored to tears. I finished the book only because I felt obligated to listen to Maurice's story like I would feel obligated to listen to my own grandfather's. It was long-winded and predictable and he said alllll the things.
To me, this sounded like The Notebook-ish, a love story told by an old man. I was in the mood for a tear-jerker and instead I was bored to tears. I finished the book only because I felt obligated to listen to Maurice's story like I would feel obligated to listen to my own grandfather's. It was long-winded and predictable and he said alllll the things.
Started this book, couldn't get past 100 pages, the pace was too slow for me. I wanted to know more about Maurice and Sadie, I guess I got impatient.
Beautifully written and compelling story that is unmistakably Irish and universal, all at the same time. I teared up at a few of the chapters and cried real tears at the end. Read it in 2 sittings, it was that good.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Maurice Hannigan is drinking. On a bar stool in a hotel that used to be the country home of the family that employed and abused him, he makes five toasts, one for each of the important people in his life: his son, his wife, his sister-in-law, his brother, his daughter. Because tonight is not going to be like all the other nights; tonight, Maurice Hannigan has a plan. Anne Griffin's debut novel has more than a touch of the commercial crossover about it, and some of the execution is a little awkward (when are writers going to learn some restraint with speech indicators?), but the book is rescued from mawkishness by being genuinely felt. There has been real sadness in Maurice's life, as well as real joy. He has not been a perfect husband or father, but he hasn't been a monster: his obsession with acquiring money and land is revealed to be part of an obsession with avenging wrongs against his family that he has been angry about since he was a boy, and it has affected his relationships as an adult in unattractive ways. But he's honest with himself and us, and the final chapter—when his greatest decision yet becomes clear—is surprising, moving, and bold. I've not read another novel in which the author allows her character the particular type of dignified choice that Griffin gives hers.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes