The Shortest Day is a brief but savory look at life, mingled with the supernatural. I most appreciated the way the story wise together a close look at character simultaneously with its more mythic elements. A lovely literary journey!

“It was the winter secret of those who had lived thousands of years before. They must have loved the sun, or trusted it. They lured it down this corridor as though they were pulling it into the chamber by rope.”

The Shortest Day is a short story by prize-winning Irish author, Colm Toibin. It’s mid-December, and Cork archaeologist, Professor O’Kelly has already done his Christmas shopping, and safely stowed the gifts: it’s unusual, but he will be away until Christmas Eve, at Newgrange.

The professor is a man much focussed on clues and facts: “It was important, he would explain to the first-year archaeology class, not to embellish or imagine anything. The job of an archaeologist was to make known only what can be proved. The rest was idle speculation”; so he would never imagine that the dead who reside in the burial chamber at Newgrange might be aware of his plan. But Dalc, the only one who can travel outside, has warned them, and there is some concern.

When the professor makes his usual stop at Lawlor’s Hotel in Naas, he wonders at the barman’s uncharacteristic gruffness. And the welcome from his landlady, Dilly Maguire, is puzzlingly unenthusiastic, a far cry from her usual effusiveness.

The souls that haunt the tomb fear that the distilled light that comes once a year, that keeps their spirits in order, will be altered by the presence of this mortal, whatever his intention. “The rays of sunshine that beamed into the chamber on the shortest day nourished them through the darkness of the year to come.”

“He is a man alive in the world,” Fios said. “He is capable of anything. We must remain apart from him. We do not want the world of time to impinge on the world we have made, we who have moved out of time.”

On the shortest day, en route to the tomb, Professor O’Kelly encounters a number of obstacles, but his fascination with the spirals cut into the stone fuels his persistence. What will he find?

This very small taste of Toibin, with humour and gorgeous prose, is a beautiful little story, wonderfully told.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories.

Having long enjoyed Tòibín's novels, I was delighted to read one of his short stories. And although I read "The Shortest Day" in October and the tale does indeed involve spirits, this is not a Halloween story in the sense that is generally meant. It takes place on the Winter Solstice, December 21st on modern calendars, right before Christmas.
It's not a Christmas story either. The Winter Solstice, and celebrations thereof, perhaps have deeper roots and more cultural meaning in Great Britain, Ireland, and Europe than they do in America, though that has always seemed a great loss to me. Bonfires and celebrations of light on the shortest day of the year, the battle of the Oak King and the Holly King are simply wonderful, cheering traditions.

Tòibin doesn't celebrate with a bonfire to bring the sun back. Instead, he sets his tale in a barrow, an ancient burial chamber that's older than Stonehenge and older than the Pyramids, as the inhabitants enjoy saying, though they don't know what either of those things actually are, as only one of them has the power to wander the world, and she's often unsure of where she's gone visiting.

The wrinkle in their existence is Professor Kelly, an archeologist with a scientific, very factual bent, who is excavating and documenting the Newgrange burial chamber bit by bit, sifting out and documenting all the facts he can find. When he decides to make an off-season trip to the site, local residents and the Newgrange spirits themselves fear what might happen if Kelly discovers The light that enters their space on the shortest day of the year, the brief light that sustains them the all the other days in the dark.

A lovely story, perfect for the Solstice.

A spooky tale perfect for Halloween where a man of science learns the truth about what lies beneath.

While I am not usually a huge fan of short stories, I am finding that I am a big fan of myth and legends being incorporated into stories, and Colm Tóibín does a beautiful job of this here.

The view of the burial tombs spirits, the local townspeople, and the science-minded archeologist all felt like distinct voices and points of view, even with very limited page time for each. The writing was beautiful, and made me want to pick up more of the author’s longer work.

While I did feel myself wanting more (as I usually do with short stories) I loved the little slice of life (and afterlife) that I was able to be fully immersed in during my short read.

Like a world renowned distillery. You would welcome any tipple they produced. In this case it is a liquor infused with the spirits making something, smooth, potent and memorable.
Not every champion author can set their hand to a good short story. The Shortest Day is an excellent example of a brilliant story in this curtailed format.
It resonates with Irish sparkle and culture and will delight even the most casual reader.
An archaeology professor is intent on discovering the truth about an ancient site that pre-dates Stonehenge. He proposes to spend the days leading up to Christmas at the dig to capture a glimpse of those who built this unique place. Unfortunately, the site has mysteries no- one can fully appreciate. At the time of the Winter Solstice the spirits trapped in this place are energised to pass another 12 months in their stasis. No-one knows what will happen if the realms of spirit clash with rational mortal minds at this time.
I loved the sense of place and rationale of the local folk, protective of their historic place.
The writing is light and reflects both the academic and traditional. Ok The imperial against popular beliefs and folklore.
Above all, in the medium of story telling it is all about why we need stories. It questions weather the truth should get in the way of a good story and ultimately takes the side of faith in matters of life and common values rather than fear.
An author of quality made accessible in this shorten format. A measure of their skill and a flavour of their craft. I toast Colm Tóibín.

I have long loved Toibon’s writing and read most of his books before but hadn’t yet read a short story.

This one hit the spot. I love Irish history and recently watched a documentary on Newgrange so it was a delight to read a story about it with a new interpretation of the mysterious burial ground.

It was laden with vivid imagery but concise and left that familiar feeling in your soul that begs you for a few more pages . The ending fills you with longing for more but satisfaction that he again, gave justice to the beautiful questions we will never know answers too.

"The Shortest Day" is a short story by one of Ireland's preeminent writers. It centers around the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, and contrasts the scientific leanings of an archeologist who is exploring the tomb of Newgrange (a site older than Stonehenge or the Pyramids of Ancient Egypt) with the ethereal beings that haunt the site. But make no mistake: While the story includes ghosts, this is not a scary story suited to Halloween junkies. This tale will appeal much more to readers seeking a Christmas story with all its celebratory themes.

At times, the writing was a bit too abstract for my taste. I would like to have seen a deeper exploration of some of the themes. But for a reader who enjoys short stories with a touch of history and spirituality, this quick tale will likely suffice.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon for granting me with an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Shortest Day.

I've always found Newgrange fascinating and though I didn't get a chance to visit the iconic site when I was in Ireland a few years ago, I've always been awed by its archaeological significance.

The Shortest Day is a very brief story about Professor O'Kelly, a professor of archaeology, who wishes to spend the winter solstice at Newgrange, the most important day of the year for the site.

But, ghosts from the past are concerned with the souls of the present mingling with their long buried memories and ability to hold onto the mysteries and magic of Newgrange.

The Shortest Day was a thoughtful look at how the modern world must respect the ways of the past, gather insight but not interfere, learn but not harm, and step back because not all mysteries need to be unearthed and discovered.

A part of me was hoping for something creepy and supernatural but that's just the kind of person I am.

This was a short but reflective story, a welcome change from the usual genres I read.

This is a wonderfully atmospheric short story from Colm Toibin set in Ireland, featuring a man of reason and logic, who puts his faith in facts and evidence, entertaining no speculations or fantasies, the archaeologist Professor O'Kelly from Cork. He is writing his notes on a passage tomb from the Neolithic period around 3300BC on a site above the River Boyne at Newgrange. Over time, he has become obsessive about the sacred burial chamber, taking down every small detail and drawings of the carvings of spirals and lines. Despite his logical persona, something within him feels the complexity and a great presence within the chamber, and in the days before Christmas travels there, planning to stay at a hotel and go to the burial chamber. Some locals harbour knowledge of the secrets of the winter solstice but keep their silence of the mysteries of the dead and the dead whisper among themselves. O'Kelly finds himself facing obstacle after obstacle, will he become privy to ancient secrets? Many thanks to Amazon Original Stories for an ARC.

Tóibín's work displays the kind of depth and sensitivity that few authors can offer and "The Shortest Day" is not an expection to that rule.

I'm not a fan of short stories, but I am a fan of Colm Tóibín and Ireland, so I enjoyed this!

It was really interesting to read a tale about an Irish myth that I am unfamiliar with, especially with the whole science vs. faith aspect playing a key role. It made for a unique read.

Overall, this is a decent short story about the shortest day.

4 "science meets spirit" stars !

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Amazon Original stories for an e-copy of this short story in exchange for my honest review.

Professor O'Kelley is an archaeologist, a man of science who studies with joy and enthusiasm what is in front of him and does not make inferences about the ancient burial tomb and culture that he has studied for many years in rural Ireland. There are whisperings of spirits that await the winter solstice and an Irish family try to...

This is not an eerie tale but a delightful tale of the contemporary world meeting the ancient world and transpires.

This is my first read of Mr. Coibin and I was impressed with the feeling of awe that can be had equally whether dealing with the precision of science or the nebulousness of spirituality.

A wonderful Christmas story !