Jan 21

Jan 21 Old God's Time

About the book

Author: Sebastian Barry
Publisher: Viking

More info:
The StoryGraph | Goodreads
Note: Content and trigger warnings are provided for those who need them at the bottom of this page. If you don’t need them and don’t want to risk spoilers, don’t scroll past the review.

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Bookshop.org (print) | Libro.fm (audio)

My Review

Old God’s Time was longlisted for this year’s Booker Prize, and after reading it, I’m not surprised. This is the kind of book the Booker loves: a fever dream of gorgeous prose exploring grief and trauma (in this case, cruelty at the hands of Catholic priests in Ireland).

That sounds a bit flip, but I did enjoy this book. I think it’s the perfect length — any longer and it may have lost me — and offers a really moving look at memory, love, and a life well lived in spite of childhood horrors. To be honest, I’m also a sucker for a love story, no matter how grim, and I’m particularly susceptible to wanting to hug old people who are trying their best.

If you like unreliable narrators, beautiful writing, and a touch of mystery, this one may just be for you.