barbb_in_ab's review against another edition
4.0
I was surprised to find myself enjoying this novel. Although Father MacAskill was complicit in carrying out his 'orders', he is a sympathetic character and wanting to understand him kept me turning the pages.
terinorfolk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
carmelitasita's review against another edition
4.0
A surprising book, well told and appropriately honored with the Giller. Superb characterization of the protagonist and the supporting cast. It brings humanity and realness into the Catholic priesthood.
ericadamore's review against another edition
dark
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
crabbygirl's review against another edition
2.0
it was long, it was dense, and it left me unsatisfied.
of course, that may be the point - life isn't usually a satisfactory 'all-comes-together' sort of thing...
it's about the priests who abused those young boys and the man who cleans up the mess they leave behind. but also about all the frailties and flaws of priests, whether it be alcohol, gambling, getting your housekeeper pregnant.
there was alot of anger that was left undirected. so many things that characters didn't say to each other. in fact i felt sure the author had characters lie to us (the reader) but i couldn't see the point. especially if this same character was looking for connection, intimacy. that starts with honesty.
and there was this twist where the perpetrator was a victim too but i really didn't like that explaination. too pat. too..bad things happen everywhere.
yeah. unsatisfied. maybe even unsettled.
of course, that may be the point - life isn't usually a satisfactory 'all-comes-together' sort of thing...
it's about the priests who abused those young boys and the man who cleans up the mess they leave behind. but also about all the frailties and flaws of priests, whether it be alcohol, gambling, getting your housekeeper pregnant.
there was alot of anger that was left undirected. so many things that characters didn't say to each other. in fact i felt sure the author had characters lie to us (the reader) but i couldn't see the point. especially if this same character was looking for connection, intimacy. that starts with honesty.
and there was this twist where the perpetrator was a victim too but i really didn't like that explaination. too pat. too..bad things happen everywhere.
yeah. unsatisfied. maybe even unsettled.
burns_cheadle's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 - 5 stars: not an easy or comfortable read, but fine character development and imbued with a deep sense of place in the Cape Breton Island setting.
ccmyself's review against another edition
4.0
I am not sure exactly how to review this book, except to say that I found it comforting, at times, and evasive, at others. Told from the perspective of a middle-aged priest at the end of his vocation, haunted by his years of service as a one-man clean-up crew for potential scandals in the Church around Nova Scotia, he reflects on his years as a priest. As I say, this is comforting at times (mostly because he gives credence to doubt and crises of faith and the mistakes/blunders we make in simply living our lives). Yet, at other times, I found the narrator hard to relate to as he danced around the buried secrets of his and his parish's pasts. I suppose memory is like that, sometimes hard to pin down or hold in proper perspective; I found it frustrating though.
All in all, I reached the end and was satisfied with how we got there. I was craving a more resolute conclusion, but this too was evasive (in keeping with the tone of the book, I thought). A good read and I'll be checking out more by Linden MacIntyre.
All in all, I reached the end and was satisfied with how we got there. I was craving a more resolute conclusion, but this too was evasive (in keeping with the tone of the book, I thought). A good read and I'll be checking out more by Linden MacIntyre.
pizzo84's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
pumpkinchai's review against another edition
4.0
Linden MacIntyre has an incredible voice for northeastern Nova Scotia and of the clergy. It is really remarkable! He moved me to tears on the radio one day when he spoke so highly of clergy, how hard we work, how much we care and love our people, how much of our lives we give up, and while no longer a practicing Christian, he has such high regard for clergy.
I hate to take a star away from such an incredible story, but I found the ending confusing and just not as well written as the rest of the book. But do not miss out on an incredible story just for that! Very much worth the read!
I hate to take a star away from such an incredible story, but I found the ending confusing and just not as well written as the rest of the book. But do not miss out on an incredible story just for that! Very much worth the read!
alicihonest's review against another edition
4.0
A novel about a priest made to handle the weaknesses of his peers, and the emotional turmoil of having been so close to that and of his own difficult upbringing.
A little slow at first, and the way the narrative jumps around temporally made it difficult to follow at times. But once you get in to the flow of things, a very clear and contemplative book. I didn't read the first book in the trilogy (or for that matter, the third) but I don't think that effected my understanding.
A little slow at first, and the way the narrative jumps around temporally made it difficult to follow at times. But once you get in to the flow of things, a very clear and contemplative book. I didn't read the first book in the trilogy (or for that matter, the third) but I don't think that effected my understanding.