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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
This is the story of three very different men which , told in three separate parts , appears to be about life experiences that have no connection save that it tells you about how men react to the tragedies , missteps ,obstacles that arise in an individuals life.
The first part is the heart-breaking story of Farouk a Doctor who flees an unnamed middle Eastern country when fighters take over and impose strict Islamic law and atrocities become the norm. Farouk , his wife and child escape after paying for boat passage to Europe. I cannot say any more about this section save that it humanises the plight of refugees and was a hard emotional read at the end.
Then we move to modern day Dublin and a young man Lampy who lives with his mother and grandfather . In his early 20's he drives a care home bus but as he delivers his charges one day we learn through his story about a childhood in which his anger is pronounced and he is an isolated young man because of his temper. As he contemplates the loss of his girlfriend who is moving beyond his stalled future his anger grows as does his despair and his grandfather , a perpetually joking man reflects on his own role in the Lampy's development.
Finally we meet John who at a formative age experiences a tragedy which seems to mould his future character as a devious , manipulative and apparently heartless man who refusing to allow anyone to get the better of him engineers an act of violence which has repercussions.
The book finishes with a final chapter and at the end of the book I felt drained by the events. The writing is subtle in that I grew to understand all three men and the way they are driven emotionally, I liked that things are teased out for the reader such as John's sister who in the aftermath of the tragedy physically abuses her younger siblings and verbally attacks John but John emotionally hurt himself responds in a way that perhaps marks his future ability to empathise with others.
This is a short book but I immersed myself in the lives of these men and it is that diversity of lives that makes the ending satisfying. Thus there are many books which start from an event and then show the reader how the characters have arrived there, by doing it the other way around we as readers can reflect upon the fact that life is like that , we all have friends acquaintances colleagues or even people we barely know but sometimes our lives interconnect which I felt was well done. But overall it was the writers ability to create believable characters with understandable emotions that I especially enjoyed.
The first part is the heart-breaking story of Farouk a Doctor who flees an unnamed middle Eastern country when fighters take over and impose strict Islamic law and atrocities become the norm. Farouk , his wife and child escape after paying for boat passage to Europe. I cannot say any more about this section save that it humanises the plight of refugees and was a hard emotional read at the end.
Then we move to modern day Dublin and a young man Lampy who lives with his mother and grandfather . In his early 20's he drives a care home bus but as he delivers his charges one day we learn through his story about a childhood in which his anger is pronounced and he is an isolated young man because of his temper. As he contemplates the loss of his girlfriend who is moving beyond his stalled future his anger grows as does his despair and his grandfather , a perpetually joking man reflects on his own role in the Lampy's development.
Finally we meet John who at a formative age experiences a tragedy which seems to mould his future character as a devious , manipulative and apparently heartless man who refusing to allow anyone to get the better of him engineers an act of violence which has repercussions.
The book finishes with a final chapter and at the end of the book I felt drained by the events. The writing is subtle in that I grew to understand all three men and the way they are driven emotionally, I liked that things are teased out for the reader such as John's sister who in the aftermath of the tragedy physically abuses her younger siblings and verbally attacks John but John emotionally hurt himself responds in a way that perhaps marks his future ability to empathise with others.
This is a short book but I immersed myself in the lives of these men and it is that diversity of lives that makes the ending satisfying. Thus there are many books which start from an event and then show the reader how the characters have arrived there, by doing it the other way around we as readers can reflect upon the fact that life is like that , we all have friends acquaintances colleagues or even people we barely know but sometimes our lives interconnect which I felt was well done. But overall it was the writers ability to create believable characters with understandable emotions that I especially enjoyed.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to like this book more than did, but I'm glad I read it. The writing is great. It's elegant even in its profanity. It flows; there's no clanking notes, no awkward transitions. However, I never connected with the three characters, nor with the very thin veneers of their plot lines.
Farouk, the first character, has the strongest plot line. But his story is told at such a narrative arm's length, I just couldn't emotionally connect with it. The emotional "damage" of the next two characters is well-written, but seems trivial when compared to Farouk's story.
I often complain that literary fiction authors don't know how to end their stories. They often skip the hard work of plotting for an easier and maybe what they think is a cleverer/more erudite trailing off into ambiguity. To his credit, Ryan doesn't do this. The last chapter connects his narrative strands, if in, perhaps, too neat and tidy of a package.
I closed the book feeling a bit let down; that this was a swing and a miss, that Ryan had a much better book in his head that he couldn't get it onto paper. It's worth reading, but it left me wanting for more.
Farouk, the first character, has the strongest plot line. But his story is told at such a narrative arm's length, I just couldn't emotionally connect with it. The emotional "damage" of the next two characters is well-written, but seems trivial when compared to Farouk's story.
I often complain that literary fiction authors don't know how to end their stories. They often skip the hard work of plotting for an easier and maybe what they think is a cleverer/more erudite trailing off into ambiguity. To his credit, Ryan doesn't do this. The last chapter connects his narrative strands, if in, perhaps, too neat and tidy of a package.
I closed the book feeling a bit let down; that this was a swing and a miss, that Ryan had a much better book in his head that he couldn't get it onto paper. It's worth reading, but it left me wanting for more.
I was confused and impatient throughout this book wanting to understand the connection between the characters. I really liked the way the author tied them all together in the end. The writing was great. It did feel like separate stories but I think it worked well. I would have liked more depth to the characters.
3.5 stars.
I was blown away by the first section. Loved it and spent the rest of the novel wishing to get back to that. I like the 2nd less and 3rd section least of all and by that point was practically disengaged. I found it interesting the way the book resolved, but I was so many pages past invested, that it failed to be satisfying. I wish the book had been structured entirely differently. I'll check out Ryan's backlist, but ultimately I was horribly disappointed in this book.
I was blown away by the first section. Loved it and spent the rest of the novel wishing to get back to that. I like the 2nd less and 3rd section least of all and by that point was practically disengaged. I found it interesting the way the book resolved, but I was so many pages past invested, that it failed to be satisfying. I wish the book had been structured entirely differently. I'll check out Ryan's backlist, but ultimately I was horribly disappointed in this book.
Whoa.
Honestly didn't get the point until the end, when everything came together - and after I finished, I went back to try and connect the characters again.
So, the way it was written was really great. If you keep at it, the pay-off is wonderful.
Honestly didn't get the point until the end, when everything came together - and after I finished, I went back to try and connect the characters again.
So, the way it was written was really great. If you keep at it, the pay-off is wonderful.
I love Donal Ryan, and he continues to grow with each novel. I was struck in reading the section about the Syrian refugee doctor that opens the novel, that it reminded me of dystopian novels such as [b:The Handmaid's Tale|38447|The Handmaid's Tale|Margaret Atwood|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1498057733s/38447.jpg|1119185]. Farouk, a doctor who lived a middle class life in Syria, escapes via a terrible boat journey, and ends up in a tent in a refugee camp. His current situation is nearly impossible for him to comprehend, and he recalls his life in Syria. While most dystopian fiction is set in the future (sometimes near future), I was struck how much the deterioration of life in Syria fit the dystopian "mold". This may not be in any way a profound observation. Stories of war are the ultimate dystopian stories.
There will be many in-depth reviews and at this time I need time to cogitate (yes, that is a word). Ryan ties together disparate stories deftly. Nothing feels forced, and that is his gift.
There will be many in-depth reviews and at this time I need time to cogitate (yes, that is a word). Ryan ties together disparate stories deftly. Nothing feels forced, and that is his gift.
I went into this book without any expectations, and came out wondering how Ryan was able to weave such a beautiful story (or stories) in such a short book. I loved each person's stories, and every sentence was beautifully crafted to convey each person's emotions as they revealed parts of their lives. I definitely did not expect how this book unfolded, and I urge every one of you give this book a try. The rollercoaster of emotions Ryan takes you on is definitely worth the read.
I went into this book without any expectations, and came out wondering how Ryan was able to weave such a beautiful story (or stories) in such a short book. I loved each person's stories, and every sentence was beautifully crafted to convey each person's emotions as they revealed parts of their lives. I definitely did not expect how this book unfolded, and I urge every one of you give this book a try. The rollercoaster of emotions Ryan takes you on is definitely worth the read.
