carbonaden's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
caquilli's review
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nellyycurrie's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
An interesting book, I like the style of it. However, didn’t enjoy nearly as much as Foster. I found it all a bit too ambiguous, and honestly unrealistic. The ending felt like something out of a wattpad story, and not like something that he would have actually done, felt unpractical.
dice79's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
caoimheb3's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
A beautifully written piece which contains a powerful message within. Another moving read by an Irish author.
mschuler's review
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
mjsteimle's review against another edition
4.0
Set in Ireland in the 1980s, the main character of this novella is a man named Furlong. He is able to provide fairly well for his large family of daughters through a business of providing wood, coal, and anthracite to his small, poor town. There is a large convent in the town, and Furlong begins to feel uneasy about the whispers about girls sent to live there. He feels even more uneasy after having some first-hand experiences at the convent. People in the town urge him not to ask questions, as the church is powerful, but the novella ends with Furlong struggling with a moral dilemma and finally making a decision.
The story is set at Christmas, so this is an apt time of year to read this novella, although there is a darkness and bleakness to the story and the tone. The writing is beautiful.
The story is set at Christmas, so this is an apt time of year to read this novella, although there is a darkness and bleakness to the story and the tone. The writing is beautiful.