Sebastian Barry has written one of those rare books that portray emotion without sentiment, diametrically opposed views with neutrality, and complex events in a manner easy to follow. Nevertheless, I was moved to tears on more than one occasion, and therefore rather pleased I was reading in private.
The hypocrisy of religion is described without rancour, enabling the reader to come to detached conclusions. Most of us in the UK are aware of the hideous regime of the Catholic nunneries that robbed women in Ireland of their children in the earlier years of the previous century. Cruel, insensitive, uncaring institutions legitimised by the Catholic church’s wish to both make money from the sales of infants and spread fear and imposed religious obedience on women who were officially treated as second class citizens.
The other institutions of the time that dealt with those who were either legally insane or branded as such for the convenience of their overbearing relatives were equally devoid of empathy for their victims for many years.
Both those institutions are depicted here with a skill that allows the reader to form opinions devoid of authorial influence. This lets us form our own views on the personalities who represent so many aspects of life in such a society. We are able to read and empathise without being preached at. I’m not sure I could have managed such delicate balance given the nature of the subject and its protagonists. As an atheist, I have long held a very poor opinion of the clergy of almost all religious organisations, so my exposure to the inherent barbarity merely served to underscore that view. I suspect some of those with any form of deep faith may struggle to accept what they are told here, but that would have nothing to do with the author’s presentation of the story and everything to do with their indoctrination.
The two parallel stories are told with such honesty, such impartiality, such truth that readers will empathise with all that occurs here. We are introduced to terrorists, murderers, lovers, adulterers, carers, steadfast parents, doctors, priests and nuns, adventurers, and cowards here. And all are given motives for their actions and beliefs.
The denouement is difficult but so wonderfully apt that the book can be closed after the final page with a deep sense of satisfaction.
[Any review is a personal opinion. No reviewer can represent the view of anyone else. The best we can manage is an honest reaction to any given book.]
Stuart Aken 
The hypocrisy of religion struck me deeply when visiting the gold encrusted cathedrals in South America. Luckily we’ve had the pastorship of priests from St. Francis DeSalles, who are the kindest and most intelligent men I’ve ever met.
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Raised as a CofE kid, choir member, Sunday school attendant, I was fine with religion until the death of my mother 2 days after my 16th birthday. The utter lack of any support from the church for our grieving family began my doubts about faith. I read the Bible from cover to cover and found the contents deeply disturbing. The experience led me to leave the church. Later, I read a lot of books about religions (there are over 3,000 and over 1,000,000 gods). I also read the Qur’an from cover to cover. That volume of information converted me from agnostic to atheist, a position I’ve maintained now for over 50 years, Noelle.
Nothing about those who preach has ever impressed me since.
I understand the need for a faith. Wish I could suppress my rational response to it. But everything I’ve learned in life from that day of Mum’s funeral has acted to confirm my atheist position.
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I can completely understand that as I watched my mother struggle with her faith when I was growing up, mainly due to two old and rigid priests. I understood and feel lucky to not have to face thaty.
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That’s the crux of the problem – faith vs rational thought.
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For me, there has to be evidence, otherwise anyone can make up a story, pass it off as the truth, and gain devotees regardless of that story’s validity.
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Lots of evidence for the existence of Jesus… but no video!
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There is, unfortunately, no contemporary evidence of Jesus during his lifetime. This is remarkable, as the Romans recorded almost everything that happened in their empire, of which Palestine was a part during the supposed period of his life. There is, however, evidence that the Romans ‘invented’ Christianity in retrospect, particularly after Constantine declared it to be the official religion of Rome.
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Hello Stuart, thanks for the introduction to this book. I’ll take a look for it; was it recently published?
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Hi Lynette, it was first published in 2008, but my paperback copy was published in 2015. I came across the writer in an online group and discovered he has won several writing awards, whilst in an online conversation with him. His manner and the language of his responses encouraged me to get hold of one of his books, so that’s what I did. Very glad, too!
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Thanks very much, Stuart. We have a couple of good book stores nearby, one of which sells used, so I’ll see if I can find it. Interesting that you “discovered” him through an online conversation. Cheers.
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