I finished this one over the weekend, and I can tell you that I kind of underestimated this one. From reading the back cover, I was expecting something a little more… intense I should say. I can see how this was made into a movie, though.
The story is lovely and well told, and maybe the expectation that I had from the back cover versus the outcome is a sweet surprise of unexpectedness. I haven’t read a book with an Irish wartime setting yet, so with no knowledge of the history, I would like to believe it’s authenticity. The story follows an aging psychiatrist in a mental hospital that is due to be torn down so he must give the verdict for the residing patients if they are to return to civilian life, or be transferred to a new facility. He spends a lot of time with Roseanne formally McNulty trying to learn about her history because no one has a clue about her and how she ended up in a facility to begin with.
Personally, possible spoiler, the priest is an a-hole; by reading this, I am thankful to be living in a time where mental health and facilities are much better for those being treated and those who treat. This is one of the things I love about history based books: you appreciate the time you live in and revel a little at how much things have changed, especially when you find out why Roseanne was admitted. Let’s discuss that, yeah??
Oh yeah, I would read this again; fer sure. You will be able to find a copy here.
9/10
Chofa Times on the Chofa 