Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry is a sensitively and quietly written tale of family tragedy and loss. Beautiful, so subtle, with moments of extreme grief and love, flashes of helplessness and impending trouble. A difficult read but also enjoyable, Barry is a master of his craft. 
The pace starts slowly, gently with Barry tightening the screw of perception as newly-retired policeman Tom Kettle [what a great name] is forced to remember what he has buried so deep. You may think, as I did, oh please not another story about abusive Irish priests; but this is about Tom and his beloved wife June, their children Winnie and Joe, not about the clergy. Barry dallies with our perception of what the story is about. He shows us Tom adjust to his existence without work, his flat, the changeable Irish weather, the coastline, at the same time exploring the nature of memory, lived memory, what is true and what is perception or presumption, while increasing the mystery of Tom’s past. The misty, stormy changing weather echoes this visibility/invisibility of personal truth.
Tom’s new routine is disturbed by a visit from two young detectives, uncomfortable in his presence, unsure of how to behave with such a venerable retired detective. Tom makes them cheese on toast and gives them a bed for the night. But their absence lingers in his mind as memories of an old crime resurface.
Is Tom Kettle a reliable or unreliable narrator? Is his truth believable and reliable – who is alive now, and who dead – or the confusion of an ageing memory? He sees real people, and ghosts, which suggests he is older than he is, confused, fading, vulnerable. As Tom revisits his memories again for the detectives, and in private moments on his own, the emotional story comes together. The responsibilities of husband and father stay with him, all of his time, ‘Things happened to people, and some people were required to lift great weights that crushed you if you faltered just for a moment. It was his job not to falter. But every day he faltered.’
A novel about the depth of love, it defines genre description. It is mystery, suspense, tragedy, gentle humour, contemporary, Irish history and crime but is ultimately a story of mourning lives lost and innocence destroyed. A dark read about lasting trauma, it is slow at times but please persist with it.
Read my reviews of these other novels by Sebastian Barry:-
A LONG LONG WAY
DAYS WITHOUT END #1DAYSWITHOUTEND
A THOUSAND MOONS #2DAYSWITHOUTEND
THE WHEREABOUTS OF ENEAS MCNULTY
If you like this, try:-
‘A History of Loneliness’ by John Boyne
‘Last Stories’ by William Trevor
‘Did You Ever Have a Family’ by Bill Clegg
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#BookReview OLD GOD’S TIME by Sebastian Barry https://wp.me/p2ZHJe-6Nb via @SandraDanby
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