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A review by ofaleine
This Is Happiness by Niall Williams
4.0
The writer's work is marked by a penchant for rich, descriptive language that adds depth and color to their storytelling.
- From chat AI, as I'm using it quite a few times these days. Haha!
Anyway, I did enjoy reading this book! NW is the type of writer who focuses on describing the situation, the setting, in an elaborate manner. I know it can get wordy at times, but when composed skillfully, it really is quite impressive for me. Sometimes though it makes you think, like what's the point of this little story over the grand scheme of things. But it does have a point. However minute.
I especially love reading about the simpler days, life in the countryside. The story really takes you back. My favorite part of the story was the relationship of Noe's grandparents, Ganga & Doady! Their marriage, partnership, reminds me of a married friend's statement before, that as a couple you can disagree on a lot of things, with each other, but when faced against a "common foe", you show a united front. It's not so much like being two-faced, being united only in front of other people. But really, being partners, allies. I love Ganga's wisdom and Doady's compassion. Especially when times get tough. And even when times aren't.
Aside from G&D, I also like reading about Noe's "coming of age" adventures, and his childhood memories with his mother (This made me sad and teary-eyed!); and Christy's knowledge and maturity. Each of the major characters' story is just really heartwarming to read about.
I really, really, really want to visit Ireland all the more now!
---
- From chat AI, as I'm using it quite a few times these days. Haha!
Anyway, I did enjoy reading this book! NW is the type of writer who focuses on describing the situation, the setting, in an elaborate manner. I know it can get wordy at times, but when composed skillfully, it really is quite impressive for me. Sometimes though it makes you think, like what's the point of this little story over the grand scheme of things. But it does have a point. However minute.
I especially love reading about the simpler days, life in the countryside. The story really takes you back. My favorite part of the story was the relationship of Noe's grandparents, Ganga & Doady! Their marriage, partnership, reminds me of a married friend's statement before, that as a couple you can disagree on a lot of things, with each other, but when faced against a "common foe", you show a united front. It's not so much like being two-faced, being united only in front of other people. But really, being partners, allies. I love Ganga's wisdom and Doady's compassion. Especially when times get tough. And even when times aren't.
Aside from G&D, I also like reading about Noe's "coming of age" adventures, and his childhood memories with his mother (This made me sad and teary-eyed!); and Christy's knowledge and maturity. Each of the major characters' story is just really heartwarming to read about.
I really, really, really want to visit Ireland all the more now!
---
He smiled, quoting himself: 'This is happiness.'
It was a condensed explanation, but I came to understand him to mean you could stop at, not all, but most of the moments of your life, stop for one heartbeat and, no matter what the state of your head or heart, say This is happiness, because of the simple truth that you were alive to say it.
~~~~~
And so, gradually then, I understood that the systems of my mother were shutting down one after the other. She was going into a still and silent place, and only her eyes were the same. They had a wet look and watered from the corners, and sometimes I dabbed them, and sometimes I didn't want to draw attention and pretended my mother's face was not so softly weeping while I sat beside her.
In the same way the illness had come, I believed it could go. Mystery is in everything. What I did then I think any boy with a dying mother would have done, I negotiated with God.
....
I went into St. Cecilia's that night not to pray that Annie Mooney would recover. I knew she would not, and Doctor Troy knew it and she knew it too. I went because grief has to find a home, has to find a place to settle, or the dark wings will overwhelm you and you will fall down in the road. I went into St. Cecilia's because when you come face-to-face with suffering you have to negotiate.
Gahd. This was so sad.