A review by serendipitysbooks
The Good People by Hannah Kent

challenging dark mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.0

 
The Good People is set in remote rural Ireland in the 1820s. Following the death of her husband and daughter, Nóra is left to care for her four year old grandson Michéal, a child born healthy but now unable to talk or walk. Feeling ashamed, judged, and struggling to cope she first hires Mary, a fourteen year old servant to help her around the house and farm and then seeks the advice of Nance, a local woman, known for her herbal remedies and knowledge of the faeries for help in getting the real Michéal back, having become increasingly convinced that her grandson had been taken by the faeries and a changeling left in his place.

The atmosphere in this was fantastic - dark, claustrophobic and increasingly more threatening, bleak and ominous. I loved the portrayal of Mary’s community and the way they retained their traditional pagan beliefs despite growing opposition from the local Catholic priest, whose followings they also purported to follow. Their poverty and struggle for survival was also really well depicted. I could see similarities with Burial Rites, by the same author, with both featuring women alienated from society ending up on the wrong side of the law, although the two books had very different endings.

However, I struggled with this story for very personal reasons. I have a younger brother who was born with some severe disabilities, and who has developed other disabilities over his life. The attitude of most of the characters towards Michéal and their treatment of him made me deeply uncomfortable - especially because the story was based on true events - meaning this book was really difficult for me to read.

A fantastically told story - Hannah Kent creates such wonderful atmosphere - but one I personally couldn’t enjoy. 
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