- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Virago; New edition edition (May 4 2006)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1844083179
- ISBN-13: 978-1844083176
- Product Dimensions: 1.9 x 12.7 x 19 cm
- Shipping Weight: 249 g
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,384,816 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Library Journal
O'Brien's soap opera-ish novel dates back to 1934. In the shadow of her mother's impending death, Agnes awaits the arrival of her sister and brother-in-law. Generally this would bring comfort, but the twist is that Agnes is secretly in love with the man and knows the marriage is on the rocks. Will she take advantage of the opportunity?
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'A grave and beautiful story, exquisitely composed and cut to a jewel-like fineness' DAILY TELEGRAPH *'A gem of a novel' TAMSIN HARGREAVES
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Some mother's do have 'em,
By Megami (Darwin, Australia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Ante Room (Paperback)
This is the story of a late 19th Century well-to-do Irish Catholic household, following the lives of its inhabitants over three days. There are many characters in this story - a mother dying of cancer and casting a long shadow over the household; her long suffering husband; some of her children - spoiled, syphilitic Reggie, chatelaine Agnes and married Marie; strange son-in-law Vincent; and family doctor William Curren. And this is just some of them!This is not a short book, even if it is set over a short period of time, and is full of characters; but it is not very involving - perhaps this is because none of the characters are particularly likeable or engaging. Everyone comes across as being quite spoiled and bland - even the dying mother comes across as a silly woman who has continued to play favourites with her children and keeps herself alive for the least worthy of the brood. Or Agnes, ostensibly the heroine of the story - you just want to shake her and tell her to get on with her life and stop feeling sorry for herself. This book has a lot of potential - multiple characters with complex relationships, an intense situation, an interesting historical setting (Bourgeoisie Catholic Ireland) - but it drags. The reader will continue to turn the pages in anticipation of reading a twist somewhere, but instead it slowly rolls towards the obvious conclusion.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Relentless, depressing, fascinating,
By
This review is from: Ante Room (Paperback)
Kate O'Brien's parlor-set piece about a 19th Century Irish family at the time of the lingering death of the family's mother is spare and relentless. The author evokes through a series of character foils the conflicts between the 19th Century Irish Catholic milieu in which the characters exist and the very real and human passions that they develop at odds with their circumstances. The narrative voice is sympathetic, yet quick to point up the character flaws in each of the family members portrayed in this novel filled with misplaced passions and passionless near misses. Although this is a short novel, it is not a quick read. It instead is a patient, quiet, well-constructed but not particularly novel portrayal of the contrasts between life as we imagine it and life as it really is lived. I recommend the Ante-Room, but it is not for the impatient or faint of heart.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Three intense days in the life of an Irish family,
By A Customer
This review is from: Ante Room (Paperback)
I couldn't put it down! The book describes three days in an Irish household. Very atmospheric, and yet the writing is so easy and natural to read. There is unrequited love, and almost every other emotion it is possible to think of. Highly recomended
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