A book to remember

This book is beautifully written wonderfully read and a story full of empathy. I enjoyed every word. I was sorry that I had to leave it. The very last line still resounding in my ears

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Fascinating

This book was beautifully written and a great historical novel however I found it very bleak and cried a lot !

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Beautifully written & narrated book

I’m rarely moved to write a review, but this book was wonderful. Based on true events, it tells the story of three poor Irish women in the 1820s, iwho believe the disabled grandson of one of the women is a changeling swapped by ‘The Good People’ ( fairy folk) and who try to ‘get the fairy out of him’ with rituals and herbs, Hannah Kent has brilliantly evoked the daily lives of the country people and the superstitions that permeated every part of life for them, despite the disapproval of the Catholic Church. It really opened my eyes to how the ‘old ways’ of these people clashed with the modern thinking of the educated classes, and the church who saw no place for the old superstitions or herbal cures in 19th century Ireland. It’s also a thought provoking lesson in the misogyny and prejudice that still surrounded older women, particularly elderly spinster women who were handy with herbal cures - they were both sought out by their communities when people needed a cure, and yet at the same time viewed with suspicion and often blamed when bad things happened.
Hannah’s writing is filled with wonderful descriptions of the Irish landscape, and it’s people, it was an absolute treat to hear this story of Ireland read so perfectly in Caroline Lennon’s beautiful Irish lilt. She really brought the story to life for me and on occasion had me close to tears. I have also listened to Hannah Kent’s ‘Burial Rites’ also based on a true story in Iceland and at a similar period in time and I heartily recommend both books.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Good book

Didn’t want this book to end , thought it was fabulous. I was in the story with them from word go .

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Not a book I’d normally read, but I persevered

I had no idea what this book was about and expected something different. I found it hard to get into it, but did eventually and got drawn into the world of Irish Folklore and Fairies.
It was interesting to put myself in the position of those back then in their poverty stricken times and beliefs.
I enjoyed the book in the end, even though I very nearly gave up

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

On and on and on...and on

Could have been condensed into a novella. A different variation of the same story in every chapter. Characters have so much potential, but the story lacked any development until the last few chapters. Dull

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Beautiful writing.

So beautifully written that it totally immerses the reader in village life and folklore of early Victorian Ireland. The myriad of superstitions that people lived by seem odd to us now, but must have made some kind of sense, in a time when medicines and law were only for the wealthy. I'm still not sure whether the wise woman believed all the spells she recommended, or was making them up as she went along.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Haunting and unforgettable

Any additional comments?

The most haunting book I have heard for some time. Hannah Kent captures the simple, sweet, melancholy lives of the characters and the folklore and superstition that binds or divides the community they live in. The beautiful, soft lilt of the narration by Caroline Lennon brings it all to life, as the poor people of the Irish valley struggle to find explanations for life events they cannot understand.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Immersive

Would you listen to The Good People again? Why?

As in Burial Rites, Hannah Kent's prose plunges you into a different and unfamiliar world through a compelling story of human sorrow, struggle and superstition. What a tremendous author she is. The compelling beauty of this book was matched by perfect narration from Caroline Lennon.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Emotional story!

This story was performed excellently, and reminded me so much of the stories my Granny told me. It shows the harshness of the social division in Ireland and lack of education of the general population. People sought to understand their hardships and ailments, and not having any other knowledge used what they knew to explain and heal their​ problems. I believe the wise women did understand the herbs and have healings, and a lot has been lost through their practice being treated as pagan and evil. All these women wanted to do was heal and bring health and prosperity to the community even if some times their ministrations were somewhat misguided! God bless my ancestors!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful