On Canaans Side by Sebastian Barry
In Brief
Narrated by Lilly Bere, On Canaan's Side opens as she mourns the loss of her grandson, Bill. The story then goes back to the moment she was forced to flee Ireland, at the end of the First World War, and follows her life through into the new world of America, a world filled with both hope and danger.
At once epic and intimate, Lilly's narrative unfurls as she tries to make sense of the sorrows and troubles of her life and of the people whose lives she has touched. Spanning nearly seven decades, it is a novel of memory, war, family-ties and love, which once again displays Sebastian Barry's exquisite prose and gift for storytelling.
| 1. Rating | 8 out of 10 |
| 2. Recommended? | A number of the group members said they would recommend the book, but they would be cautious as some people may find it upsetting |
| 3. Audience | It was felt that the book would more likely to appeal to a female audience. The group thought most younger people would not appreciate the impact of war on the soldiers that survived. |
| 4. Type of Read | The book needed some concentration as it moved between time periods and moved quickly through Lilly's very long and volatile life. An understanding of Irish and American politics at the start of the 1900s would help the reader. |
| 5. Quality of Author | Most of the members felt the book was well written and would consider another book by this author. |