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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
3.5 stars
Hm. I'm a little conflicted on this one. From a Low and Quiet Sea is my third Donal Ryan, and another short yet impactful work by him. This man has a way with words unlike many others, and there were again countless passages and quotes that will surely stick with me for a long time and keep me thinking.
But unlike [b:The Spinning Heart|15995144|The Spinning Heart|Donal Ryan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1349169242l/15995144._SY75_.jpg|21753684], which tied the characters' stories together neatly and believably, From a Low and Quiet Sea left me scratching my head. It felt like Ryan had the ingredients to three brilliant stories, which he in a way did bring to life through the different POV chapters of Farouk, Lampy and John, but didn't really know how to bring those story threads together. The climax of the book was over pretty much before it even began, and it felt to me like Ryan had to rely quite a lot on coincidence to bring the three men's stories together and to justify writing about all three of them in the same novel.
But if I ignore most of the very last section, 'Lake Islands', and focus instead on the separate sections of the three men, this truly is a wonderful glimpse into the lives of three different kinds of men, written with Ryan's great eye for the human condition and toxic masculinity. Especially Lampy's relationship with his grandfather really showcased how the way we are raised effects us, with Lampy picking up on his grandpa's boisterous, no-fucks-given personality. The ending also shed an interesting light on the ideas of nature vs. nurture in regards to Lampy's character. If only this book didn't have to be a novel, but a short story collection of three stories that do not necessarily have to be linked together, I could love From a Low and Quiet Sea even more. But as was the case for the two earlier Ryan novels I read, I cannot quite stand behind it and love it with all of my heart, as great as all of his novels are.
I have [b:The Thing About December|17614757|The Thing About December|Donal Ryan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1385423284l/17614757._SY75_.jpg|24577046] and [b:Strange Flowers|49009500|Strange Flowers|Donal Ryan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575041559l/49009500._SY75_.jpg|74429398] left to read from Ryan's novels. Although some parts of From a Low and Quiet Sea disappointed me a bit, he has once again proven to be an author worth reading, and I will certainly read the aforementioned two soon.
Hm. I'm a little conflicted on this one. From a Low and Quiet Sea is my third Donal Ryan, and another short yet impactful work by him. This man has a way with words unlike many others, and there were again countless passages and quotes that will surely stick with me for a long time and keep me thinking.
But unlike [b:The Spinning Heart|15995144|The Spinning Heart|Donal Ryan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1349169242l/15995144._SY75_.jpg|21753684], which tied the characters' stories together neatly and believably, From a Low and Quiet Sea left me scratching my head. It felt like Ryan had the ingredients to three brilliant stories, which he in a way did bring to life through the different POV chapters of Farouk, Lampy and John, but didn't really know how to bring those story threads together. The climax of the book was over pretty much before it even began, and it felt to me like Ryan had to rely quite a lot on coincidence to bring the three men's stories together and to justify writing about all three of them in the same novel.
But if I ignore most of the very last section, 'Lake Islands', and focus instead on the separate sections of the three men, this truly is a wonderful glimpse into the lives of three different kinds of men, written with Ryan's great eye for the human condition and toxic masculinity. Especially Lampy's relationship with his grandfather really showcased how the way we are raised effects us, with Lampy picking up on his grandpa's boisterous, no-fucks-given personality. The ending also shed an interesting light on the ideas of nature vs. nurture in regards to Lampy's character. If only this book didn't have to be a novel, but a short story collection of three stories that do not necessarily have to be linked together, I could love From a Low and Quiet Sea even more. But as was the case for the two earlier Ryan novels I read, I cannot quite stand behind it and love it with all of my heart, as great as all of his novels are.
I have [b:The Thing About December|17614757|The Thing About December|Donal Ryan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1385423284l/17614757._SY75_.jpg|24577046] and [b:Strange Flowers|49009500|Strange Flowers|Donal Ryan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575041559l/49009500._SY75_.jpg|74429398] left to read from Ryan's novels. Although some parts of From a Low and Quiet Sea disappointed me a bit, he has once again proven to be an author worth reading, and I will certainly read the aforementioned two soon.
Listened to it a second time and was much more engaged. I really liked it the second time around, my favorite part remains Farouk’s opening (that brief meditation on trees early on had added meaning as I just finished the Overstory), but I’m also quite fond of the old man’s confessions, and it was rounded out beautifully. Really benefits from multiple readings/listenings.
this story went right over my head. i just couldn't get into it. saying that, there were parts (especially Farouks story) that were interesting to read. and some really beautiful and insightful passages that caught my imagination. but overall i didn't get much out of it. it might be because i'm early in my reading journey, but the writing style, long sentences, no quotation marks for words spoken really bugged me. and the amount of swearing was too much for me. saying this, i can understand why this book would get the praise it seems to be getting.
From a Low and Quiet Sea is a book that I'm not sure I quite have the words to do justice to. It is a story about three men living in small town Ireland and is told in four parts.
Firstly we read the devastating story of Farouk, a Syrian refugee. His words brings vividly to life the reality of the danger and fears faced by those in Syria and gives it a human face. He is just a father like any father, wanting his family to be safe and risking so much to bring his wife and child to safety. Next is young Lampy who is frustrated in love. He was unceremoniously dumped by the girl he loved who perhaps regarded him as not good enough. He lives with his mother and his grandfather who is loud, foul-mouthed and somewhat embarrassing. He has never known his father. The final character is John who through an internal monologue is looking back over his life, recognising the wrongs he has done, a confession if you like. His older brother died suddenly when young and was put on pedestal that he felt he could not live up to. This loss coloured his life and influenced the person he became and the choices he made.
The three stories were all equally compelling, relating just enough to keep the reader's attention yet leaving a sense of wanting to know more. What links these three men is a sense of loss and the final part of the book brings their stories together in a most unexpected way. It has one of the most touching endings I've read in a novel, which really tugged at the emotions. The ending changed my view of one the characters who was finally able to express love. This is a book I feel I need to read again to get a deeper understanding of each character knowing what I learned from the ending.
From a Low and Quiet Sea is an epic read in a slim but powerful and beautifully crafted book.
Firstly we read the devastating story of Farouk, a Syrian refugee. His words brings vividly to life the reality of the danger and fears faced by those in Syria and gives it a human face. He is just a father like any father, wanting his family to be safe and risking so much to bring his wife and child to safety. Next is young Lampy who is frustrated in love. He was unceremoniously dumped by the girl he loved who perhaps regarded him as not good enough. He lives with his mother and his grandfather who is loud, foul-mouthed and somewhat embarrassing. He has never known his father. The final character is John who through an internal monologue is looking back over his life, recognising the wrongs he has done, a confession if you like. His older brother died suddenly when young and was put on pedestal that he felt he could not live up to. This loss coloured his life and influenced the person he became and the choices he made.
The three stories were all equally compelling, relating just enough to keep the reader's attention yet leaving a sense of wanting to know more. What links these three men is a sense of loss and the final part of the book brings their stories together in a most unexpected way. It has one of the most touching endings I've read in a novel, which really tugged at the emotions. The ending changed my view of one the characters who was finally able to express love. This is a book I feel I need to read again to get a deeper understanding of each character knowing what I learned from the ending.
From a Low and Quiet Sea is an epic read in a slim but powerful and beautifully crafted book.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
Kolme kertojaa. Kolme miestä erilaisista taustoista Syyriasta pieneen maalaispaikkakuntaan Irlannin maadeudulla. Menetyksen haavoittamia ja vammauttamia miehiä. Pakkomielle, aggressio, epävarmuus. Tuntu kuin olisi lukenut kolme novellia.
Three stories.
Three men.
One ending.
Donal Ryan is an incredible writer. The beauty of his words and the empathy in his writing is simply incredible. The way he is able to look into his characters' souls and write of events spanning from great loss to every-day, mundane things and events in such a lyrical way is just awe-inspiring.
Three men.
One ending.
Donal Ryan is an incredible writer. The beauty of his words and the empathy in his writing is simply incredible. The way he is able to look into his characters' souls and write of events spanning from great loss to every-day, mundane things and events in such a lyrical way is just awe-inspiring.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes