The Secret Scripture was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, and I can see why. Sebastian Barry's novel takes place in Ireland and weaves the stories of patient and doctor. The patient, Roseanne McNulty, is around 100 years old and has been at the Roscommon Regional Mental Hospital for longer than anyone can remember. One of her doctors is Dr. William Grene. His job is to assess whether Roseanne-- and a number of other patients-- can live in normal society once the hospital closes its doors.
The novel alternates between Roseanne's story and Dr. Grene's. We learn about the history of Ireland and the history of Roseanne through the information she tells us. Dr. Grene tries to unravel what exactly happened in Roseanne's life that has landed her in the institution. At the same time, he is struggling with his role as a doctor and personal failings in his own life.
The writing is poetic and lyrical, and the descriptions of Ireland are amazing.
Here is an excerpt:
It is always worth itemising happiness, there is so much of the other thing in a life, you had better put down the markers for happiness while you can. When I was in that state, everything looked beautiful to me, the rain slicing down looked like silver to me, everything was of interest to me, everyone seemed at ease with me, even those slit-eyed boys of Sligo, with the yellow fingers from the coffin nails they smoked, the yellow stain above their lips where the fag was stuck in permanent. Accents like bottles being smashed in a back lane.
Just One Pink gives The Secret Scripture a 9.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment