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Kimber Silver's Reviews > A History of Loneliness
A History of Loneliness
by
by
Kimber Silver's review
bookshelves: coming-of-age, family-drama, friendship, loss, ireland, catholic-church, hope, elegant-prose
Mar 04, 2024
bookshelves: coming-of-age, family-drama, friendship, loss, ireland, catholic-church, hope, elegant-prose
"All great and precious things are lonely."
― John Steinbeck
Five brilliant, heartbreaking stars!
It's been quite a while since a book made me curse life for getting in the way of reading. A History of Loneliness certainly falls into that category. It was like settling into a comfortable chair with a cup of tea to catch up with a male friend who I hadn’t seen since school. And then, quite unexpectedly, he decides to pour out his life story! The revelations herein were as riveting as they were haunting and came burdened with horror.
Boyne's elegant prose drew me into the life of Odran Yates and darned if he didn’t make me love that sweet Irish lad. Odran was, I felt, an innocent soul, and everything and everyone around him did its level best to stomp the wholesomeness out of him. But in 1973, aged seventeen, he signed up for what should have been the safest place on earth: the priesthood. From his first day at seminary, Odran felt right at home and made a good friend in his cellmate Tom Cardle. A bonus, one would think. Life should have been grand for Father Yates—yes, it should have been...
As I turned the last page, I wondered if we will see the good we have accomplished at the end of our lives? Or will our focus center on all that we failed to do? And is looking at the world through rose-colored glasses an act of complicity? I, like Father Yates, prefer to see a kinder side of life, even if it ends up kicking the crap out of me.
"If I cannot see some good in all of us and hope that the pain we all share will come to an end, what kind of priest am I anyway? What kind of man?"
My heart ached to leave my new friend Odran to his life of loneliness. What a tragic and spectacularly written tale. A History of Loneliness will most likely be my favorite book of 2024.
― John Steinbeck
Five brilliant, heartbreaking stars!
It's been quite a while since a book made me curse life for getting in the way of reading. A History of Loneliness certainly falls into that category. It was like settling into a comfortable chair with a cup of tea to catch up with a male friend who I hadn’t seen since school. And then, quite unexpectedly, he decides to pour out his life story! The revelations herein were as riveting as they were haunting and came burdened with horror.
Boyne's elegant prose drew me into the life of Odran Yates and darned if he didn’t make me love that sweet Irish lad. Odran was, I felt, an innocent soul, and everything and everyone around him did its level best to stomp the wholesomeness out of him. But in 1973, aged seventeen, he signed up for what should have been the safest place on earth: the priesthood. From his first day at seminary, Odran felt right at home and made a good friend in his cellmate Tom Cardle. A bonus, one would think. Life should have been grand for Father Yates—yes, it should have been...
As I turned the last page, I wondered if we will see the good we have accomplished at the end of our lives? Or will our focus center on all that we failed to do? And is looking at the world through rose-colored glasses an act of complicity? I, like Father Yates, prefer to see a kinder side of life, even if it ends up kicking the crap out of me.
"If I cannot see some good in all of us and hope that the pain we all share will come to an end, what kind of priest am I anyway? What kind of man?"
My heart ached to leave my new friend Odran to his life of loneliness. What a tragic and spectacularly written tale. A History of Loneliness will most likely be my favorite book of 2024.
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Reading Progress
June 2, 2019
– Shelved as:
to-read
June 2, 2019
– Shelved
February 21, 2024
–
Started Reading
February 22, 2024
–
20.0%
February 25, 2024
–
60.0%
February 26, 2024
–
90.0%
March 1, 2024
–
98.0%
March 4, 2024
– Shelved as:
coming-of-age
March 4, 2024
– Shelved as:
family-drama
March 4, 2024
– Shelved as:
friendship
March 4, 2024
– Shelved as:
loss
March 4, 2024
– Shelved as:
ireland
March 4, 2024
– Shelved as:
catholic-church
March 4, 2024
– Shelved as:
hope
March 4, 2024
– Shelved as:
elegant-prose
March 4, 2024
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 77 (77 new)
message 1:
by
Cheri
(new)
-
rated it 5 stars
Oct 19, 2019 10:07AM
This is such a beautifully written story, Kimber. I think you will love this one!
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Cheri wrote: "This is such a beautifully written story, Kimber. I think you will love this one!"It's difficult to go wrong with a Boyne book! Thank you, Cheri! :-)
Beautiful review, Kimber….I am so glad that you met Odran, even as difficult as his story is, it was indeed a brilliant book!
Karen wrote: "Beautiful review, Kimber….I am so glad that you met Odran, even as difficult as his story is, it was indeed a brilliant book!"
Thank you so much, Karen! I loved Odran. He was like a light in the darkness. The subject matter was difficult, but Boyne handled it well.
What a beautiful review, Kimber. You made me fall in love with that Irish lad, Odran, again.
A wonderful heartfelt review, Kimber! I can tell that the story, along with Odran himself, has left its mark. ☘
I need to check out more Boyne books. This sounds amazing! I'm glad it was a very moving experience. A brilliant review Kim ❤️
I love his books! I haven’t read this one yet though 😻
Lorna wrote: "What a beautiful review, Kimber. You made me fall in love with that Irish lad, Odran, again."Thank you very much, Lorna! Odran was such a kind man. :-) I enjoyed your outstanding review.
Kevin wrote: "A wonderful heartfelt review, Kimber! I can tell that the story, along with Odran himself, has left its mark. ☘"Thank you kindly, Kevin! Many parts of this story tore at my heart. Boyne is a talented writer.
Tina wrote: "I need to check out more Boyne books. This sounds amazing! I'm glad it was a very moving experience. A brilliant review Kim ❤️"I've read several Boyne books, and his writing never disappoints. His characters become so real that I don't want to let them go.
The subject matter of child abuse in the Catholic church was difficult but handled thoughtfully. It could be a challenging book for many to read.
Thank you very much, Tina! : )
Emma.catherine wrote: "I love his books! I haven’t read this one yet though 😻"Boyne is a fantastic storyteller, and his writing is a delight! I'm glad you enjoy his books, too, Emma!
Stellar review Kimber, love this author.
Maureen wrote: "Stellar review Kimber, love this author."Thanks so much, Maureen! Boyne is a splendid author. I'm glad you enjoy his work, too.
What a beautiful review, Kimber! I've heard of this author but never been compelled to read until now...thanks for the fabulous recommendation! 😊
High praise for this terrific author, Kimber. It has been on my TBR list, but I need to move it up.
Excellent review, Kimber! Your review makes me want to get back to Boyne's wondrous writing very soon!
Catherine wrote: "What a beautiful review, Kimber! I've heard of this author but never been compelled to read until now...thanks for the fabulous recommendation! 😊"Thank you most kindly, Catherine! I have yet to pick up a Boyne book that wasn't fantastic. I hope you'll give his work a try sometime. : )
Absolutely beautiful review, Kimber!
Barbara wrote: "High praise for this terrific author, Kimber. It has been on my TBR list, but I need to move it up."It was such a moving story, Barbara. I look forward to your thoughts.
Candi wrote: "Excellent review, Kimber! Your review makes me want to get back to Boyne's wondrous writing very soon!"Thanks so much, Candi! Boyne is such a terrific writer. : )
Carol wrote: "What an outstanding review of what sounds like an emotional read, Kimber 💜!!!! I have not yet read a book by this author and this sounds like the perfect one to delve into. So happy it’s a favorite..."Thank you kindly, Carol! Boyne has written so many great books. I hope you get a chance to give his work a try sometime. : )
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader wrote: "Absolutely beautiful review, Kimber!"Thank you very much, Jennifer!
What a wonderful review Kimber 💖
![Terence M [on a brief semi-hiatus]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1712357414p1/6658001.jpg)
A lovely review, Kimber!I bought this from Audible twelve moths ago and I have delayed listening to it, probably because of the "sadness" expressed in some reviews. Wussy me, although I can be a bit of a melancholic soul😦 at times!
My personal experience of entering the seminary at age 12, in 1953, was an early mirror of Odran's journey twenty years later, and obviously what attracted me to the book in the first place.
Also, "The Heart's Invisible Furies" is one of my all-time favourite books, so I am going to trust John Boyne to envelop me with this story as well, and I have just moved "A History of Loneliness" to my Reading Now shelf.
Really glad you enjoyed this one, Kimber.
Margaret M - months of wrote: "What a wonderful review Kimber 💖"Thanks so much, Margaret!
Terence M - [Quot libros, quam breve tempus!] wrote: "A lovely review, Kimber!I bought this from Audible twelve moths ago and I have delayed listening to it, probably because of the "sadness" expressed in some reviews. Wussy me, although I can be a b..."
I didn't know you went to seminary, Terence. You are a kind soul. I shouldn't be surprised. : )
While this book was heartbreaking at times, Boyne wrote with a passion that swept me away. I loved the main character, Odran Yates.
I hope it's not too sad for you. I look forward to your thoughts.
Amazing review, Kimber! I can’t believe I’ve only read one of Boyne’s novels. I need to get back to him!
HP Saucerer wrote: "Really glad you enjoyed this one, Kimber. "Thank you, HP! It was your terrific review that convinced me to add it. : )
Antoinette wrote: "Amazing review, Kimber! I can’t believe I’ve only read one of Boyne’s novels. I need to get back to him!"Thank you very much, Antoinette! Boyne has a unique talent for pulling out all the emotions. : )
Nam 📚📓 wrote: "Sounds like a wonderful read"It was very powerful and touching. Thank you for your comment, Nam!
Fabulous review, Kimber! I love Boyne, and I can't wait to read this!
Meredith (Trying to catch up!) wrote: "Fabulous review, Kimber! I love Boyne, and I can't wait to read this!"Thank you so much, Meredith! I look forward to your thoughts. : )
Great review and what a wonder name for a character--Odran Yates. it does have a sound of poetry and lonliness
Kerry wrote: "Great review and what a wonder name for a character--Odran Yates. it does have a sound of poetry and lonliness"Thank you, Kerry! Great observation. Odran Yates does have a lonesome ring to it. : )
Susan wrote: "Wonderful review!"Thanks, Susan! : )
One beautiful review Kimber!! Your thoughts make me look forward to reading sooner!!😊💕
This is such a beautiful review Kimber. Your review almost made me cry like I think the book would. Well done.
Lesley wrote: "One beautiful review Kimber!! Your thoughts make me look forward to reading sooner!!😊💕"Thank you kindly, Lesley! I hope you like it as much as I did. I look forward to your review!
Bren fall in love with the sea. wrote: "This is such a beautiful review Kimber. Your review almost made me cry like I think the book would. Well done."Thank you for your lovely comment, Bren! It was a heartbreaking tale, but the writing is spectacular!
"Great review, Kimber! You had me hooked without giving anything away. I can't wait to check this book out."
Mary wrote: ""Great review, Kimber! You had me hooked without giving anything away. I can't wait to check this book out.""Thanks very much, Mary! It was such a beautifully written story with unforgettable characters. : )
Beautiful review, Kimber! It's a wonderful feeling to deeply connect with a book! 💗
Kat wrote: "Beautiful review, Kimber! It's a wonderful feeling to deeply connect with a book! 💗"Thanks so much, Kat! I did connect very deeply with the characters in this book. : )
Such a heartfelt review Kimber - how can I not add this? Stop it!!!! 🤗🦘
Mark wrote: "Such a heartfelt review Kimber - how can I not add this? Stop it!!!! 🤗🦘"Thank you very much, Mark! I look forward to your review. : )
Awesome review, Kimber! I will have to add this one too.
