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rabidboy's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I contemplated logging this for a while since it’s, admittedly, not something I would read by choice and I was only made to read it for a class this past semester.
Having said that, this is one of the most beautiful and engaging pieces of literature I’ve ever interacted with. McMahon weaves the personal, the cultural, and the epigenetic together with such poetry, literal and metaphorical, that I’m almost at a loss for what to even say.
If you’ve ever felt connected to the world in a way larger than you can describe, read this memoir. If you haven’t, read this memoir.
Having said that, this is one of the most beautiful and engaging pieces of literature I’ve ever interacted with. McMahon weaves the personal, the cultural, and the epigenetic together with such poetry, literal and metaphorical, that I’m almost at a loss for what to even say.
If you’ve ever felt connected to the world in a way larger than you can describe, read this memoir. If you haven’t, read this memoir.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death, and Grief
timitsut's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Beautiful prose. The author manages to interweb personal and national history of Ireland. I haven't ever come across a memoir this haunting and hopeful all at the same time.
mnidhuibhir's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
5.0
zelinacarstens's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
firxtly's review
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Mind bending story of family history & emigration. Fascinating survey of McMahon’s life
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Suicide
kairhone's review
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
An adept and emotionally evocative narrative that interweaves personal memoir, genealogy, and Irish cultural history to examine generational trauma. Are our miseries destined because of genetics? Can we escape grief if our ancestors couldn't escape it themselves? Mc Mahon never asks for pity when detailing the horrible sadness she and her family have endured, both past and present. Ordinary Time is a family's intimate history. Still, it's also a fiercely political work that examines how capitalism and colonialism are often to blame when considering how we cope in a world built on oppression and violence. Truly a gem of a read: thought-provoking, tender, and intelligent.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcoholism
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