Themes/Trigger Warnings:
Religion, family, domestic and emotional/psychological abuse, societal standards, sex discrimination, abandonment, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, found family, death, love and belonging.
Synopsis:
There was a time when Lindy Morris walked along the Thames in the moonlight. When life was exciting and she felt fulfilled.
Decades later, Lindy is back to where she escaped from - living with Auntie Bell on the edge of Granda Morris's land in Donegal. Granda Morris is a complicated man who wanted sons to inherit his farm and land but had two daughters instead: Auntie Bell and Lindy's mum, who disappeared when Lindy was a little girl. Now, Auntie Bell and Lindy live a solitary life in a small cottage. When the secrets of the past thirty years unravel, will Lindy find herself again?
Thoughts:
This is Tish Delaney's second novel and the first that I have read. It's relatively new and I haven't seen it at all in the online book communities. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised and hope it starts getting some recognition soon! It took me a good few chapters to get into it but once I did I felt so curious about Lindy I needed to know everything about her, I was willing to go along on her journey of self-discovery.
The prose was very different - unlike anything I've read before. I thought it came across a little vague and depressing, which in hind-sight was probably intended. It starts off with a steady flow and slightly mysterious touch which matches the overall scenes and characters to perfection. About half way through there's a series of eventful twists which really picks up the pace. The story is written from Lindy's perspective and it gives a deep insight into her mind, I really enjoyed her bold sense of humour and thought it was an interesting coping mechanism and less self-destructive compared to her other behaviours. It showed a side to her fun personality which she retains despite her hardships which was quite heart-warming. Lindy herself is a fantastic female protagonist who pushes against the cruelty inflicted on her and stays strong and hopeful to find joy. She experienced freedom in her youth and she knows life can be good.
Set in rural Ireland, the story truly shows the difficulties of living in a strict Catholic family and society both with narrow and unfair opinions particularly around the way women should live. Granda Morris is absolutely vile - a coward who treats all the women in his life with contempt. From Lindy in the present day we slowly learn about her life through flashbacks, the book is split between Carnsore and London and goes back and forth between the two. It covers so many issues from Lindy being labelled as the outcast and the 'wrong child' because of her mother's choices and then being left alone to deal with the consequences. Questioning her own worth and truth to her parentage she doesn't feel like she belongs anywhere. I think this is something so many of us can relate to in some form - struggling with a sense of belonging. Lindy lives through periods of darkness and extreme self-loathing and then there are bursts of pure joy, content and satisfaction. The contrast between the two is written flawlessly and sends a strong message of resilience. Every small victory is worth celebrating and they lead to success in the end.
I think the mystery around Lindy's mum Babs, was carried through really well with appropriately timed revelations. We slowly learn the truth alongside Lindy so we feel the same emotions as her. I thought it was sad how Lindy blames all the mishaps that happen in life on herself and carries the belief of something being 'wrong' with her from childhood to maturity. She's belittled and mistreated her whole life. It shows how false beliefs can be ingrained in a person and the impact of growing up in an unloving home. I appreciated how the scenes of violence weren't written in too much detail but didn't take away from the severity of abuse.
My favourite part of this book has to be the ever-growing, complicated relationship between Lindy and Auntie Bell, they go through so many ups and downs with only each other as a constant. The final chapters tied everything together, leaving this heavy story on a note of hope. I would recommend this book if you're after a fresh, meaningful read with charm and humour. I personally love reading books set in Ireland - always striking and atmospheric.
Favourite Quotes:
'I had dreams once, but never for anything as extravagant as happiness.'
'No one can help you grieve, it's a traditionally lonesome activity.'
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