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A review by coepi
Thin Places by Kerri ní Dochartaigh
2.0
I received a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It's hard to know how to review, let alone rate, this book. On the one hand: it's an intense autobiographical account of the author's trauma, which manages to discuss the Troubles and Brexit with extreme sensitivity and respect, and is beautifully written too. On the other: ...it does drag on a bit.
The problem I had was that and eventually, every chapter became a bit repetitive, with its descriptions of harrowing events Dochartaigh went through and then how nature helped her cope and heal. To be honest, after a while it becomes hard to cope with all the traumatic experiences that are recounted, and I felt a bit numb and exhausted. I had a similar response to all the descriptions of how nature helped Dochartaigh heal, which I found very similar each time. The writing style became quite grating eventually, and the structure also seemed a bit odd - roughly chronological, but then some things overviewed before they were fully recounted, such as Dochartaigh's experience of alcoholism.
I feel unfair complaining about these things, because in many ways it's a beautiful and well-written book, and I appreciated the insight into what it was like living through the Troubles in Derry. I think that ultimately, it just wasn't the book for me; but I don't regret reading it either, and maybe it will be the book for you.
It's hard to know how to review, let alone rate, this book. On the one hand: it's an intense autobiographical account of the author's trauma, which manages to discuss the Troubles and Brexit with extreme sensitivity and respect, and is beautifully written too. On the other: ...it does drag on a bit.
The problem I had was that and eventually, every chapter became a bit repetitive, with its descriptions of harrowing events Dochartaigh went through and then how nature helped her cope and heal. To be honest, after a while it becomes hard to cope with all the traumatic experiences that are recounted, and I felt a bit numb and exhausted. I had a similar response to all the descriptions of how nature helped Dochartaigh heal, which I found very similar each time. The writing style became quite grating eventually, and the structure also seemed a bit odd - roughly chronological, but then some things overviewed before they were fully recounted, such as Dochartaigh's experience of alcoholism.
I feel unfair complaining about these things, because in many ways it's a beautiful and well-written book, and I appreciated the insight into what it was like living through the Troubles in Derry. I think that ultimately, it just wasn't the book for me; but I don't regret reading it either, and maybe it will be the book for you.