Skip to main content

Book Review | The Stolen Child by Lisa Carey

The Stolen Child by Lisa Carey {Goodreads}
Published by Orion Publishing Group in 2017
Hardback edition; 336 pages {BookDepository}

The Stolen Child transports us to St. Brigid’s, a remote island off the west coast of Ireland. Its inhabitants, mostly women, live as if they are in the past although the book is set between 1930 and 1960 – the story goes back and forth all the time. For me, it felt as if the story was set in the 18th century rather than the 20th and it creates and interesting atmosphere within the novel.

We follow the stories of Brigid, an American who arrives at the island with a very clear purpose; Rose, a lovely woman everybody loves; Emer, Rose’s twin sister, who is nothing like her sister and Niall, Emer’s son, who she believes will be claimed by the good people, the fairies. Most people on the island mistrust Brigid when she arrives but soon enough, Emer becomes a friend. Both find comfort in one another but Brigid’s “mission” might destroy everything. I found Brigid’s and Emer’s friendship to be both fascinating and frustrating at the same time because although they understand what each other needs, they are also selfish and it builds up a tension that goes throughout the entire narrative.

However, my favourite character was Niall. He’s a very sweet child and loves her mother very much but he also is suffocated by her. Emer is obsessed about the fairies stealing his child and overprotects him. Her fear is understandable but perverse at the same time and I couldn’t but feel sorry for both of them.

All in all, this was a very interesting read. It fluctuates between reality, folklore and superstition and shows how our actions can be influenced by them. The Stolen Child is a magical and engaging book and I recommend it especially if you like books set in remote places and how that remoteness affects people.

Follow

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Vintage Classics: Brontë Series

Maybe you don’t know this about me but I collect different edition of Jane Eyre and when I learnt that Vintage was releasing the new Brontë series I just couldn’t say no. 

Book Review // Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

Because of Mr. Terupt  by Rob Buyea { Goodreads } Published by Yearling in 2011 Paperback edition; 288 pages { BookDepository } " Features seven narrators, each with a unique story, and each with a different perspective on what makes their teacher so special.  It’s the start of fifth grade for seven kids at Snow Hill School. There’s . . .  Jessica,  the new girl, smart and perceptive, who’s having a hard time fitting in;  Alexia,  a bully, your friend one second, your enemy the next;  Peter,  class prankster and troublemaker;  Luke,  the brain;  Danielle, who never stands up for herself; shy  Anna,  whose home situation makes her an outcast; and  Jeffrey,  who hates school.  Only Mr. Terupt, their new and energetic teacher, seems to know how to deal with them all. He makes the classroom a fun place, even if he doesn’t let them get away with much . . . until the snowy winter day when an accident changes everything—and everyone. "

Reading Diary | February Books | 2018

Feb, 1st - 15:15. Finished the second book in the first volume of the Riyria Revelations and I was pleasantly surprised. I still think the world building is the weakest thing about the story because it's not greatly developed but the story is well-written and entertaining. I'm planning on continuing reading the series because now I'm intrigued enough to want to know how everything will unfold. Feb, 7th - 10:33.  I'm finally prepared to go and see the movie Call Me By Your Name because I just finished reading the novel. I enjoyed it quite a bit. It is a celebration of love and an exploration of sex and identity. It's quite explicit though so if you feel uncomfortable with that keep it in mind if you're planning on reading it. My full review of the book is HERE (I also talk a little bit about the movie).