I loved this novel. Full disclosure: I love novels with ghosts, handsome Irishmen, Irish wit and whimsy, J.M. Synge's play "The Playboy of the Western World," and, well, Ireland. (Not necessarily in that order.) Kidd balances the wit and whimsy with enough darkness, and awareness of Ireland's demons (I like that too) to stop this modern-day fairy tale becoming too precious, or trivializing a painful subject.
I happened to be reading this just as news broke in Ireland that the remains of 800-odd babies and infants had been discovered in a cess-pit beneath a former home for unwed mothers in Galway. Take whatever comfort you can from the thought that "Himself" suggests what might have happened if one of those babies had survived, and returned to the village of his birth, to avenge the appalling treatment of his teenage mother.
Right so.
I happened to be reading this just as news broke in Ireland that the remains of 800-odd babies and infants had been discovered in a cess-pit beneath a former home for unwed mothers in Galway. Take whatever comfort you can from the thought that "Himself" suggests what might have happened if one of those babies had survived, and returned to the village of his birth, to avenge the appalling treatment of his teenage mother.
Right so.
Himself by Jess Kidd is a murder mystery couched in the magic of Irish folklore. The book sets up the folklore and the background beautifully. The beginning is colorful and atmospheric. However, the pace is slow, and the characters, plot or setting don't really build. The plot ends up a little scattered and falls a little short of the build up. I do love the premise and setting and enjoy the descriptive writing.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2017/04/himself.html
Reviewed for NetGalley
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2017/04/himself.html
Reviewed for NetGalley
I am glad I discovered this author--this book should have been nominated for a National Book Award. It's magical and something more loving than the words charming and delightful--a great read, great pace, great characters, great and unusual plotline, you name it. I instantly put her two next books on my wish list. Can't wait to read them. This is an author to watch.
