pojoreads 's review for:

History of the Rain by Niall Williams

5.0

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This is easily one of the most beautiful works of fiction I have read in the past five years (or more). If you are considering whether to give it a chance or not, keep the following in mind: 1) it may take you the first 100 pages or so to absorb both the spirit and the storyline of the novel; stick with it; your persistence will pay off 2) I don't believe Williams intended this to be a "readers' book," but it really helps to be up-to-date on your canon of great literature; this novel celebrates both the act of reading and the rich legacy of world literature, and the experience is that much richer if you, as a reader, understand most of the literary allusions; I found this part of the book charming, but I can imagine that it might strike others as snobbish and/or forbidding. Lastly, allow the book to flow through you; don't worry about knowing what exactly is happening at any point, because the book calls for experiencing some existential uncertainty. Yes, it is not exactly a "happy" read, but neither is life when we consider it honestly.