After a slightly sticky start with Donal Ryan’s The Thing About December I’ve become an ardent fan of his fiction, my admiration increasing first with All We Shall Know then From A Low and Quiet Sea, both of which shared themes of love and redemption in their different ways as does Strange Flowers. Beginning in the early ‘70s, Ryan’s new novel is about the Gadneys whose daughter leaves home one morning with no explanation, only to return five years later.
Questions presented themselves to the front of their minds in ragged jostling queues
Paddy and Kit married late. Molly is their much-wanted daughter, taciturn and hard for them to understand. When she disappears, Paddy continues his postal rounds, carrying on with his job as a farm labourer for the Jackmans, stoically accepting both sympathy and curiosity. The village is agog at Molly’s disappearance but as time wears on, the Gadneys are left to themselves. Then Molly returns, upset but as close mouthed as ever, throwing crumbs of information about her life in London to a patient Kit and Paddy. Shortly after her return, the priest and sergeant pay a visit, telling tales of a stranger heard asking about the Gadneys in a local pub. Molly is distraught, talking of the man who has been stalking her in London, but when Paddy meets Alexander a different story emerges which will change the Gadneys’ household irrevocably bringing joy, love, division and grief.
Streams of flowers dazzling through the green along the roadsides and lanes. Branches drooped with berries reaching out from hedgerows, everything blooming and buzzing and dripping with life
Hard to write about this book without either giving too much of its story away, the slow revelation of which was part of its enjoyment for me, or without gushing over the beauty of Ryan’s writing. It’s structured almost like a parable, each part given the name of a book from the Bible, becoming much more than the story of a prodigal daughter as Ryan explores different forms of love through this family that grows in a way that Molly’s parents could never have imagined. Ryan’s characters are perceptively almost affectionately drawn – Paddy’s determination to accept the stranger in their midst which grows into a deep bond is particularly touching. Each book Ryan delivers seems to be more elegantly lyrical than the last, whether it’s his descriptions of landscape or his compassionate exploration of love in its many forms and its consequences. A beautiful novel, full of gorgeous prose and humanity.
Doubleday: London 9780857525222 240 pages Hardback
My post about this book has gone up today as well. I did gush, because I think the language is just magnificent. Everything Ryan writes simply gets better. I’m tempted to say that this is the best book I’ve read so far this year.
We’re as one then, Ann!
I bought this one. Can’t wait to read it as I loved his past two, and it sounds as if it’s his best yet.
I’d say it is, Annabel. You’ve such a treat in store.
I’m also an ardent fan, this sounds masterful. He’s so skilled at evoking those quiet human bonds.
He is, and does it beautifully here. Lovely descriptions of the natural world too.
I stopped reading Ryan after A Slanting of the Sun, but I’d be tempted back for this — I adore the cover. The Spinning Heart was my favourite of the three I read.
Not so fond of The Spinning Heart but I’ve loved the last three, this one in particular. It is a beautiful jacket, isn’t it. So luxuriant!
I’m starting this tonight – as a writer he nevers puts a foot wrong in my opinion. Really looking forward to it.
I’m sure you’ll love it, Cathy
This does sound intruiging. I keep seeing great reviews of Donal Ryan’s books, I think I will have to give him a try soon. Great review.
Thanks, Ali. I think you’d appreciate his writing style.
I’ve loved the books I’ve read by him so to hear that he has got even better has me excited.
His writing and characterisation go from strength to strength, Karen. Hope it lives up to expectations for you.
I’m sure it will
Oh, I can’t wait, so looking forward to reading this too.
I hope you love it as much as I did, Claire.
Looking forward to this one.
It won’t disappoint, Kate
I’ve only read The Spinning Heart, which I liked rather than loved (in spite of the very clever construction). This, however, sounds more appealing. Along the lines of a Colm Toibin, would you say?
In the same territory but a little more lyrical than Toibin. Ryan pays more attention to the natural world. He’s most definitely a writer whose work grew on me.
Donal Ryan is the Θεός /God of writers.
He is so full of love for the Irish country landscape and for people in general. It’s the Ireland of my childhood that he so exquisitely describes and the beauty of the ordinary country people around him. The love he got from his own parents, whom he describes as the nicest of people, is also projected in this book in the characters of Molls mother and father. Its full of beauty and evokes the best of 1970s rural Ireland. Simply sublime!
That love certainly shines through! Thanks so much for your comment, Bridget.
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