The Mosaic
In "Heart Be at Peace," Donal Ryan tells the story of a small Irish village through 21 chapters, 21 different voices. This tightly knit community is portrayed through the perspectives of its various voices, revealing information about everyone's lives as the story unfolds. It takes some effort to put this mosaic together, but it is well worth the effort. This novel revisits the same town and many of the characters featured in Ryan's celebrated 2012 debut, "The Spinning Heart."
The previous book focused on the town's struggle with a collapsed economy following the Celtic Tiger. Now the new crisis emerging is the escalating influence of illegal drugs. Bobby Mahon, the town's de facto leader, is growing increasingly frustrated by the dealers' apparent immunity from justice while their influence poisons lives. Lily, a fascinating character known as the town witch, is dismayed to see her young granddaughter falling for the ruthless gang leader. There is a simple-minded ex-con, Trevor, living with his mother in an assisted living facility who is unwittingly storing the contraband. Vasya, "the hobo," has some wonderfully poetic contemplations out in the wild before his conscience reprehends his involvement:
"... I wonder if ever I'm captured whether I'll be able to keep myself from speaking the truth, to my captors or to myself, of the foul, thrilling things I'm party to, of the man I've allowed myself to become."
The drug issue is not the only concern. There are all the things that make up life in a small Irish town, the loves, the gossip, the betrayals. Similar to "The Bee Sting" by Paul Murray, we slowly get to know what's really going on as each person's voice sheds light to the bigger picture.
Every one of these characters feels authentic; their voices, their messages, the uncensored way they open up. Many of these characters deserve more exploration and I would not be surprised to see another visit. Although this is wonderful as a stand-alone book, it has been a number of years since I read the first book, and I plan on savoring these back-to-back.
Another brilliant novel from one of Ireland's most acclaimed writers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In "Heart Be at Peace," Donal Ryan tells the story of a small Irish village through 21 chapters, 21 different voices. This tightly knit community is portrayed through the perspectives of its various voices, revealing information about everyone's lives as the story unfolds. It takes some effort to put this mosaic together, but it is well worth the effort. This novel revisits the same town and many of the characters featured in Ryan's celebrated 2012 debut, "The Spinning Heart."
The previous book focused on the town's struggle with a collapsed economy following the Celtic Tiger. Now the new crisis emerging is the escalating influence of illegal drugs. Bobby Mahon, the town's de facto leader, is growing increasingly frustrated by the dealers' apparent immunity from justice while their influence poisons lives. Lily, a fascinating character known as the town witch, is dismayed to see her young granddaughter falling for the ruthless gang leader. There is a simple-minded ex-con, Trevor, living with his mother in an assisted living facility who is unwittingly storing the contraband. Vasya, "the hobo," has some wonderfully poetic contemplations out in the wild before his conscience reprehends his involvement:
"... I wonder if ever I'm captured whether I'll be able to keep myself from speaking the truth, to my captors or to myself, of the foul, thrilling things I'm party to, of the man I've allowed myself to become."
The drug issue is not the only concern. There are all the things that make up life in a small Irish town, the loves, the gossip, the betrayals. Similar to "The Bee Sting" by Paul Murray, we slowly get to know what's really going on as each person's voice sheds light to the bigger picture.
Every one of these characters feels authentic; their voices, their messages, the uncensored way they open up. Many of these characters deserve more exploration and I would not be surprised to see another visit. Although this is wonderful as a stand-alone book, it has been a number of years since I read the first book, and I plan on savoring these back-to-back.
Another brilliant novel from one of Ireland's most acclaimed writers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
