I do like a good old tragedy and the Irish do it better than anyone else. Trevor William has put together a simple story with gorgeous use of language that, although sad, is full of pathos rather than depression. Only the Irish can do this!
The story is set in Ireland in the 1920's or there about. There is disquiet in the land and the land owners are being threatened by the rabble and burned out of their homes. The Gaults decide to leave their land and vast home for a while till things settle down. but Lucy, a young child of abut 7 or 8 does not want to leave her beloved fields with a view of the sea.
Through a series of unfortunate events Lucy is tragically left behind as her parents believe her drowned. They go off to Europe and never make contact with people left behind in Ireland so when Lucy is found, no one can reunite her with her family. Not something that could happen in this day and age due to Google and the rest, but back in those days, it's totally believable. This is a family to whom something unfortunate happened and Trevor plays out the ramifications and consequences of a small act of rebellion.
I loved reading it and the story of Lucy's life is very well told.
Showing posts with label William Trevor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label William Trevor. Show all posts
Friday, September 3, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Love and Summer | William Trevor
This is definitively a slow book. There is a very languid felling to it, and even a bit of stream-of-consciousness style about the writing...The characters meander in their minds and I felt a bit lost at times as to who's mindII was in!
The story is set in Ireland, and it has a very defined Irishness about it. The landscape, the way people talk and the concerns of a rural community. The story centres on Ellie, a young girl who is brought up in a convent who goes to the countryside to help a farmer after his wife dies tragically (as only the Irish can!)
After a few years Ellie marries the farmer. They lead a life of small seasonal changes, small domesticity, small social circle. Then summer arrives and with it, heat and long days, summer pastures and hard work in the fields. In the midst of this simple life Ellie accidentally meets a young man from a nearby big house...Although predictable, what makes this story lovely to read is William Trevor's fabulous use of language. His descriptions and the rhythm of his writing make it a pleasure to read, although it doesn't have a lot of pace and action. Not a lot happens, but it does so beautifully.
The story is set in Ireland, and it has a very defined Irishness about it. The landscape, the way people talk and the concerns of a rural community. The story centres on Ellie, a young girl who is brought up in a convent who goes to the countryside to help a farmer after his wife dies tragically (as only the Irish can!)
After a few years Ellie marries the farmer. They lead a life of small seasonal changes, small domesticity, small social circle. Then summer arrives and with it, heat and long days, summer pastures and hard work in the fields. In the midst of this simple life Ellie accidentally meets a young man from a nearby big house...Although predictable, what makes this story lovely to read is William Trevor's fabulous use of language. His descriptions and the rhythm of his writing make it a pleasure to read, although it doesn't have a lot of pace and action. Not a lot happens, but it does so beautifully.
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