Helpful Score: 4
Surely there is no criminal more universally hated than a pedophile unless it's a pedophile who is also a priest. In this novel, Jennifer Haigh explores the ramifications of faith in the contexts of both religion and family. The title is stunningly appropriate as the story unfolds in heart-wrenching detail when an already dysfunctional family reveals closely-held secrets. I have been a fan of Jennifer Haigh's writing since I read her debut novel. She has continued to hone her talent in thought-provoking prose that is both topical and universal.
Helpful Score: 3
I abandoned this book about half way through. This review is about the reason why.
The book deals with the scandal of abuse that recently surrounded the Catholic church. The narrator is not a priest affected, not a victim but the sister of a priest accused of molesting a child. That voice unfortunately made the book seem very detached and removed. I felt that telling the story using that voice made the story seem far away. The narrator became the main character which for me shifted the focus away from what the story was about.
Unfortunately, I had to walk away from the book.
The book deals with the scandal of abuse that recently surrounded the Catholic church. The narrator is not a priest affected, not a victim but the sister of a priest accused of molesting a child. That voice unfortunately made the book seem very detached and removed. I felt that telling the story using that voice made the story seem far away. The narrator became the main character which for me shifted the focus away from what the story was about.
Unfortunately, I had to walk away from the book.
Helpful Score: 2
Set in Boston, most of Haigh's riveting novel takes place during the clergy sex abuse crisis that exploded in 2002. A priest is accused of molesting a boy and the questions are not only did he do what he was accused of, but do his siblings, mother and parishioners still have faith in him? The story weaves back in forth through time, illuminating the priest's family history and circumstances that have let up to the charge. The language, traditions and practices of Boston's Irish Catholics are described nearly perfectly. The novel also interestingly examines different types of fathers: priests, absent fathers (Aidan's and Art's), stepfathers (Ted) and married, "traditional" fathers (Mike). Recommended.
Helpful Score: 1
Pertinent and discussion-worthy...
Sheila's beloved brother, Art, a much-respected Catholic priest, is accused of abusing a boy whom he had taken under his wing. Although she believes that he can't possibly be guilty of the charges against him, she has doubts when he refuses to defend himself and answer the many questions she has.
Sheila's parents and her other brother, Mike, are staunch Irish Catholics who are blindsided and humiliated by the outpouring of anger against their family and try to find some explanation for how and why this has happened.
A great family story -- love, redemption, sacrifice -- and much to discuss considering the current state of this topic in the news today.
Sheila's beloved brother, Art, a much-respected Catholic priest, is accused of abusing a boy whom he had taken under his wing. Although she believes that he can't possibly be guilty of the charges against him, she has doubts when he refuses to defend himself and answer the many questions she has.
Sheila's parents and her other brother, Mike, are staunch Irish Catholics who are blindsided and humiliated by the outpouring of anger against their family and try to find some explanation for how and why this has happened.
A great family story -- love, redemption, sacrifice -- and much to discuss considering the current state of this topic in the news today.
Faith by Jennifer Haigh is narrated in first person by the sister of a Catholic priest who is suspected of molesting a little boy. The family that the priest comes from is dysfunction to begin with, but when this crisis hits, some family members stand by him and support him, while others are alienated from him.
I thought this was a very well-written book and the story told with sensitivity. This was a book that I couldn't label as a page-turner, because it took more thought to read and absorb what was going on rather than flying through it to see what happened. I gave it 5 stars. Excellent book.
I thought this was a very well-written book and the story told with sensitivity. This was a book that I couldn't label as a page-turner, because it took more thought to read and absorb what was going on rather than flying through it to see what happened. I gave it 5 stars. Excellent book.
Well written and thought provoking like all of Jennifer Haigh's books.
Faith by Jennifer Haigh tells the story of a priest accused of molesting a child. The story is told in first person by the sister of the accused. Although the reader is left guessing until the end about whether or not the priest is guilty, the book focuses more on the ramifications on the lives of the priest's family members. Religious faith is tested, but so also are the family members' faith in each other. This book is splendid.
Surely there is no criminal more universally hated than a pedophile unless it's a pedophile who is also a priest. In this novel, Jennifer Haigh explores the ramifications of faith in the contexts of both religion and family. The title is stunningly appropriate as the story unfolds in heart-wrenching detail when an already dysfunctional family reveals closely-held secrets. I have been a fan of Jennifer Haigh's writing since I read her debut novel. She has continued to hone her talent in thought-provoking prose that is both topical and universal.
Good to read the view of someone on the inside looking out! How often do we judge a person without knowing the full story. It's a wonder that this world has survived as long as it has with people being so judgmental and hateful to others.
