World magazine reviewed this novel in its latest publication. Since it takes place in a small village in Ireland, it intrigued me. Mr. Williams previous book, This Is Happiness, also takes place in Faha.
Doctor Troy spends his days listening and caring for his parish, Faha. His expressionless face and reticence has served him well over his sixty years. Then a young boy and two farmer brothers drop off a baby that was left outside the church during the Christmas season. Ronnie, the doctor's oldest, unmarried daughter, embraces the child and assumes the role of mother. The five individuals vow to keep this baby a secret. But how can one keep love a secret?
The story of power of love I especially liked the line, "Only through the birth of a child is the lure of death conquered." pg. 283
Life-affirming-for the newborn through the elderly
Slow-paced and poetic, lyrical language that deserves to be savored and appreciated.
*Highly recommended for those who appreciate the beauty of language and non-plot driven novels (the baby does not appear until after one hundred pages into this two-hundred eighty-seven page novel).
-Borrowed from the library.
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