ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Irish author Sebastian Barry is well-known for his eloquent storytelling and profound narratives. Born in Dublin on July 5, 1955, Barry’s novels, such as The Secret Scripture and Days Without End, delve into the complexities of Irish history. His lyrical prose and well-crafted characters have earned him literary accolades, including the Costa Book Award and the Walter Scott Prize. Barry’s works encourage readers to explore the human spirit. His remarkable ability to explore the depths of readers’ hearts and souls continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
SYNOPSIS (CONTAINS SPOILERS)
Old God’s Time is the story of Tom Kettle, a retired Irish police officer struggling to come to terms with his troubled background and the injustices and tragedies he witnessed in his lifetime. Now leading a solitary life in the Irish countryside, Tom’s story isn’t a chronological one. It is rather a narrative tapestry that skillfully interweaves his past experiences, present-day relationships, and the unrelenting pursuit of justice.
Tom Kettle’s life has been a descent into hell. It all started when he was a helpless orphan in the hands of the church and continued with the unimaginable abuse he endured at their hands. Growing up, Kettle became a lawman who found comfort in June, another orphan who experienced the same cruelty as he did. They find solace in each other’s company. However, the specter of human savagery continues to haunt Tom as he witnesses the multitude of atrocities and violence, especially the ones committed under the auspices of the church. Each instance leaves an indelible scar on his mind, slowly gnawing at his soul. His struggle for justice is a recurring motif in his life; an ongoing battle where victory is both attainable and elusive.
Against this turbulent backdrop, Tom and June raise two lovely children, Winnie and Joe. These moments of tenderness and beauty soothe their wounded spirits. Yet, tragedy strikes with its sheer brutality when June takes her own life, revealing the enduring wounds that never truly heal. The couple’s pride and joy, Winnie, falls victim to the monster of drug addiction. Amidst this chaos, Tom grapples with a sense of helplessness. However, fate deals a final blow when Joe is ruthlessly taken away from him as he his murdered for his noble endeavors. This heartbreaking loss shatters Tom and he retreats to the remote countryside, a mere ghost of his former self. In solitude, he fades into anonymity, disconnected from human bonds for a protracted period.
Tom has a reawakened sense of purpose when his former colleagues show up at his doorstep, seeking assistance with an old, haunting case involving a priest. His duty rekindles his determination. An unexpected camaraderie with a neighbor offers much-needed peace as well, slowly pulling him back out of his abyss. In a redemptive act, Tom intervenes to protect a mother and her young child from an abusive husband, finding a semblance of closure.
The plot takes the uncomfortable truths head-on, demonstrating that the pursuit of justice is a complex, imperfect endeavor.
WHAT WE LIKED ABOUT OLD GOD’S TIME
Sebastian Barry’s command of prose is truly phenomenal. He impeccably captures the inner workings of an anguished soul. His words expertly navigate the tumultuous terrain of hallucinations and reality, the mind’s unrelenting struggle to soldier on, and the irreversible passage of time. Every word in Old God’s Time exudes elegance, painting vivid images in the readers’ minds, ones that persist long after the book’s final pages.
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER ABOUT OLD GOD’S TIME
Barry lays the story’s foundations throughout the first half, making it fairly slow and confusing. A shorter build-up could have done wonders for an otherwise exceptional read.
QUOTES
All his working life he had dealt with villains. After a few decades of that your faith in human nature is in the ground. It’s a premature burial, predating your own.
People endured horrors, and then they couldn’t talk about them. The real stories of the world were bedded in silence.
CONCLUSION
To read Sebastian Barry’s Old God’s Time is to experience the gradual unveiling of a profoundly eerie chronicle of a tortured soul. The novel’s carefully developed characters and the depth of its narrative make it a worthwhile read for readers of all stripes. Overall, the book is a true work of art and a must-have for every bookshelf.
A reverential admirer of words, Madhu loves watching them weave their bewitching magic on cozy afternoons.