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A review by bgg616
Nothing But Blue Sky by Kathleen MacMahon
5.0
This novel was one of two by Irish writers on the 2021 Women's Prize for Fiction longlist. Although one of my favorite book bloggers gave it a rather blah review, I ordered it.
I loved this book. It is the story of a man in his early 50's whose wife of 20-some years suddenly dies. It is an exploration of grief, and his summing up of each of their lives. David is a journalist, working as a correspondent for a major Irish news outlet. His wife Mary Rose was a neonatal nurse. They never had children. Their annual vacation spot was a small sea village in Costa Brava, Spain, that fortunately has escaped the plague of retirees from England and Ireland who seem to have overtaken much of the area. The second summer after Mary Rose's death, he returns to their Spanish vacation spot. He develops a friendship (non romantic) with another long time visitor, and they bond in their grief over losses.
This is probably not a novel of anyone who has experienced recent loss, but it might be. It is a novel of deep reflection on the meaning of a life, as well as relationships.
November 2021
I intended to skim this book for my book club discussion. But I found each page or two contained such gems that I had to reread the book. It was as good, if not better the second time.
I loved this book. It is the story of a man in his early 50's whose wife of 20-some years suddenly dies. It is an exploration of grief, and his summing up of each of their lives. David is a journalist, working as a correspondent for a major Irish news outlet. His wife Mary Rose was a neonatal nurse. They never had children. Their annual vacation spot was a small sea village in Costa Brava, Spain, that fortunately has escaped the plague of retirees from England and Ireland who seem to have overtaken much of the area. The second summer after Mary Rose's death, he returns to their Spanish vacation spot. He develops a friendship (non romantic) with another long time visitor, and they bond in their grief over losses.
This is probably not a novel of anyone who has experienced recent loss, but it might be. It is a novel of deep reflection on the meaning of a life, as well as relationships.
November 2021
I intended to skim this book for my book club discussion. But I found each page or two contained such gems that I had to reread the book. It was as good, if not better the second time.