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juliechristinejohnson 's review for:

In the Forest by Edna O'Brien
5.0

Set in western Ireland, this novel is based a story of terror that took place in Ireland in 1994. It is a disturbing and devastating story of a mass murderer- from his tragic childhood to the height of his murder spree- and the community that seems helpless to stop him, or worse- that unwittingly aids him in his crime spree. It shows a society in denial of the abuse of children in detention and in school, easily abandoning its own, and unwilling to believe that they have unleashed a monster.

Paradoxically, O'Brien's writing is so lovely, so gentle and intimate- as much as you want to turn away from the horrific acts of violence, you are cradled in the beauty of her prose.