Nora Webster

Reviews

Rosie Evans

At that point, I had not yet read Marilynne Robinson’s newest novel “Lila” though I was anxious to having read and adored her earlier novel “Gilead. * * *The IFOA conversation between Marilynne Robinson and Colm Tóibín can be heard at Writers & Company: Marilynne Robinson & Colm Tóibín – CBC. Sitting on the aisle in the back row, to be precise, is my preferred location at many events (the exceptions being movies and musical presentations), in part for the pragmatic reason of being able to slip out quickly at the end and not be trapped by the departing crowd.

David G. Hallman

Information on my memoir “August Farewell” and my novel “Searching for Gilead” can be found on my website at DavidGHallman. Robinson observed that loneliness is a kind of passion for her, that she cultivates loneliness.

com ” The same was true for Colm Tóibín’s new work “Nora Webster. So much is said in the silences.

” I had previously read and enjoyed much of Tóibín’s writing and was looking forward to this new one. This is not to suggest that the principal characters exist in isolation from significant others or from community. They are bound to each other by a mutual attraction that is as much metaphysical as it is physical.

Robinson and Tóibín are such writers. Both novels thrilled me, largely because they are such quiet works—the characters not speaking of much of what goes on. Tóibín said that one gains a great deal from loneliness, especially in circumstances of loss, that’s not possible if one is in constant chatter with others. I seek and create the circumstances for solitude.

This tale will make you smile all the way to the finsh line with plenty of dark Irish humour. Telling a compelling story through silences and through what is left unspoken takes enormous skill on the part of a writer. Young Lila and her much older husband John Ames have an intense relationship despite the differences in age, education, socio-economic and cultural background.

A great tale from Ireland Colm is a real inspiration to new authors trying to pain pictures of life in Ireland. Robinson believes that loneliness is essential for understanding and creating one’s identity so as not to be dependent on others for your own self-definition. If you want something else from Ireland that will make you smile a wee bit more then you should get Counting Stars.