Posts
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Harper
Format: Unabridged Audio
Source: Library
Challenge: 2012 Audio Book Challenge
Purchase: IndieBound
Once again, I continue on an awesome audio roll. This book I have seen reviewed many times around the blogosphere. I've only read good things. For some reason, I held off on it because I didn't think I would want to read a story about a priest as an alleged child molester. Not usually my cup of tea. But I gave in and am glad I did.
The narrator did an excellent job in portraying the multitude of characters in this novel. Each had their own heaviness, history and spirit, I was astounded that the narrator could jump so easily and gracefully between them all. Each character's story had its own power and she brought them all to life as if there were ten different people doing the recording.
Now that I have established some audio rules, I would say this passed quite splendidly. The story took place in and around Boston and for those of you new to my blog, I used to live there many years ago. I will always have a soft spot for Beantown; the accents, the drinking, the sites, the politics, everything about it, I loved. These characters are perfect examples of what makes Boston so unique. You have the hardworking single mother, the guilty priest, the proud former cop, the prodigal daughter. I loved them all.
Goodreads description:
When Sheila McGann sets out to redeem her disgraced brother, a once-beloved Catholic priest in suburban Boston, her quest will force her to confront cataclysmic truths about her fractured Irish-American family, her beliefs, and, ultimately, herself. Award-winning author Jennifer Haigh follows her critically acclaimed novels Mrs. Kimble and The Condition with a captivating, vividly rendered portrait of fraying family ties, and the trials of belief and devotion, in Faith.
This is my first taste of Jennifer Haigh. I've been curious about her other novels. If they are as good as this one, I'm all over it. The way she captured the feel of a community was flawless. I enjoy when an author can make the setting of a book just as strong of a character as its humans.
Rating: Recommend
Because the narrator was so strong, this book was brought to such life that I am glad I chose to listen to it rather than read. It was such a strong human story filled with characters that move you. For fans of familial dramas, this is for you.
Author Website:
Happy Reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!
red headed book child
6 comments:
This was one of my FAVORITE audio books for 2011. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I completely forgot to tell you about that one when you were asking for recommendations on your other post!
What a heavy subject, glad you enjoyed the audio version'
On a lighter note, as a native New Yorker my natural inclination is to snobily stick my nose in the air at anything Boston ; ) this household has diehard Yankee and Jet fans.
Paula
Tomes Devotee
Yay! You found an audio you dug! Bravo! Great review.
I can't tell you how long this book has been sitting on my shelf! Maybe I should listen to it instead!
Great review, thanks!
I'm glad to hear that you were able to overcome misgivings about the subject matter of this one because the book is that good. I've had those same misgivings but may just give it a try.
I liked this one when I read it -- different but realistic IMO - have a great weekend.
Post a Comment