DNF at 30%. I tried really hard to get in to this one but unfortunately it just didn’t hold my interest. I believe there is an audience for this book, sadly it isn’t me. Thank you so much Netgalley for the opportunity to read this early in exchange for an honest review.

CW: religious trauma, animal death and cruelty to LGBTQIA character

Set on Skellig Michael, the book follows three monks in the 7th century as they withdraw from society to form a life of prayer on the skellig. Cormac and Trian are monks who are voluntold to leave with Artt, a cult-leader-wannabe to live on a remote island with little-to-no resources. Predictably, this causes hardship.

Cormac and Trian are thoughtful, well-constructed characters and I enjoyed the parts of the novel where we watch their attempts to make the island their home. I got a good sense of these characters and their motivations. The parts of the novel that center these characters really shine.

Artt is decidedly less of a well-rounded character. He seemed to be almost an archetype of religious mania, and I wish that we as readers got a better sense of his internal motivation.

Another issue I took with the book was the INTENSE amount of animal slaughter in the book. I understand it’s a survival story, but the killing seemed gratuitous.

NetGalley gave me a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to get into the right headspace to enjoy this book. I’ll come back to it in the fall and see if I can get into it then.

Many readers of Donoghue's other works will probably be disappointed by this one. She's a beautiful writer and a powerful storyteller, and I appreciate how different her books are. This one isn't my favorite of hers, but it was a thought-provoking read.

Haven tells the story of an island off of Ireland called Skellig Michael, and the earliest monks that might have settled it. This is the island that was filmed in the recent Star Wars movie, The Last Jedi. There is no specific time attached to this story, as the history of the island is somewhat unknown.

Artt is a celebrated monk who visits a monastery in Ireland and has a dream that he is to set out with two other monks to live their days in the glory of God, far from the land of men. In his dream, he sees his two companions: Cormac, an older but recent initiate who lost all of his family to the plague; and Trian, a young man who was given by his family to the monastery.

The men will have to rely on each other and God, and little else, to survive in a harsh remote wilderness. Those who appreciate a good nature survival story will like this book. It moves slowly, but it's the characters' absolute solitude and reliance on nature and faith that made this story compelling. Donoghue writes about their daily lives in great detail, from fishing to stonework to gardening, even the creation of pens and ink for the transcription of a religious document.

I said recently in writing about Brideshead Revisited that I'm not the best person to review a book that's fundamentally about religion, particularly Christianity. The religion practiced in this book felt more cruel than inspirational, but I think that was intended. I don't have to know a lot about religion to understand that it's only as benevolent as the individuals who practice it.

Donoghue slowly explores the characters of each of the three men, as tensions build in their community of three. In a way, this is a book that's more about leadership than about religion. As their leader, Artt has many opportunities to comfort, to teach, and to strengthen the two men who are sworn to him. But he's sadly, very human.

I loved the nature aspects of the book, and I appreciated the psychological aspects of three people living on their own in an isolated place. Donoghue excels at introspective writing, and I found that even at its slowest, I was never bored.

As I said in the beginning of this review, I appreciated this thoughtful book, while also finding it frustrating at times, and there's a plot development at the end I have mixed feelings about. So it won't be one of my favorites of Donoghue, but then I've loved so many of her books (The Wonder, Room, Astray, The Pull of the Stars) so she's set a very high bar for me. This book also reminded me a bit of Becky Chambers' A Psalm for the Wild-Built, but set long ago rather than the future.

Note: I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley and publisher Little, Brown & Co. This book publishes on August 23, 2022.

"God is our pilot now, and we'll go wherever his breath blows us."

In the early part of the 7th century, a group of monks at the monastery Cluain Mhic Nóis are visited by a living saint. Artt's reputation as a man of God precedes him. He's known as a strict servant of the Lord, a man whose faith saw him survive the plague and travel around the globe spreading the word. His opinion of the monks at this particular monastery is that they've become lazy, victims of routine and comfort. Criticisms aside, Artt has come to this place to reveal his vision, a direct message from God showing an island in the western sea. Per divine instruction, Artt will take two companions with him on a journey to find the island and form a new monastery.

"We are all hurrying towards heaven, and I'm only trying to lighten your load.

The first monk selected to accompany Artt on his prophetic expedition is the elder Cormac, a seasoned storyteller with a body that is starting to falter in his old age. What he lacks in physical strength, he makes up for in wisdom. Trian, the second monk selected to travel with the saint, was abandoned in the monastery at age 13. The young monk is wistful and shy but is eager to follow the reverent Artt to the ends of the earth in service of God's plan. While it is standard for monks to live a meager life of relative poverty, this trio is eschewing even the most basic of provisions for their trip. Artt reminds his companions that God will provide everything they need, so the group faithfully sets sail on their quest to find this promised land.

"I tell you, Brothers, what seems impossible to us is easy to him."

I have to admit, I normally wouldn't go running to read a historical fiction novel about 7th-century monks. As I read the summary of Emma Donoghue's latest novel Haven, I feared that I may have finally run into a book from the author that just wouldn't be for me. Because her previous novel The Pull of the Stars ended up being my favorite read of 2020, I decided to go against my better judgment and accept a copy of Haven from the publisher. Like her previous book, Haven plants the reader firmly amongst the action, giving us insights into the thoughts and motivation of each of the three main characters as they face an impossible test of faith. It took me a bit longer than I would have hoped to find a rhythm in this writing, but once I was in I couldn't let go.

Donoghue revels in the mundane, drawing quiet introspective revelations as the monks work to survive on the remote island that they have been called to. The act of maintaining the sabbath while finding food, water, and shelter, sees the plot find a ritualistic repetition akin to the very prayers that the characters chant each day. Make no mistake, these are men of their era, afflicted with blind faith and willful lack of logic that I often found to be frustrating. Had they only thought of the severity of the journey they were embarking upon, much of the conflict in the novel would be unnecessary. Donoghue's commitment to faithfully portraying the mindsets of the men in this time means that they truly remain optimistic that God will give them everything they need, even as cracks in the vision that brought them to this place begin to form. Things come to a head as the threesome each succumbs to their own mortal flaws, bringing the book to a crescendo that seems inevitable if a bit unsatisfying. Haven won't go down as my favorite book by the author, but it is nonetheless another example of her ability to craft a work of historical, emotional, and literary heft.

It was fascinating to step into the world of eighth century Irish monks. It is such a closed off world that it feels claustrophobic, made even worse when the three main characters set off for a remote island and stay there for the remainder of the book. The story felt like it dragged in some points, with the monks going about their daily tasks, but there is an underlying feeling of dread that some awful tragedy will befall them all, and that it made it compelling enough to continue. The struggle between the men, of knowing how much to sacrifice in order to grow closer to God, without going too far, was interesting to witness. Emma Donahue always leaves me thinking about the story long after you’ve finished it, and I’m sure it will be the same with this one.

DNF @ 25% - I really tried my best to get into this one as I love emma’s books. this one however was written for someone in an audience other than myself. as someone who identifies as queer and non-religious, I found this one a bit tedious and outside my range. I would recommend it for anyone who loves dan brown novels and christian-catholic novels.

Thank you to LIttle, Brown and Company and Netgalley for the electronic advanced copy.

Three monks travel to an isolated uninhabited island to establish their own place of worship away from the from the world of sin with the bare minimum of provisions because "God will provide." Haven is a descriptive story of survival (both physical and spiritual). It's a slow-burn, heavy, historical literary fiction. This won't be a book for everyone, but it's well done.

This had a bit of a slow start for me, but I really enjoyed the setting. I also feel like I haven't read this plot a million times - huge points for originality.

Haven by Emma Donoghue is a historical fiction novel about the dangerous effects of blind faith and obedience. Artt, a scholar, priest, and hermit has a dream while visiting Cluain Mhic Nois monastery in Ireland sometime in the seventh century. He believes God has told him to take two monks and head to an unknown island. He chooses the young Trian and the older Cormac as his companions. He requires them to take a vow of obedience to him, even though he acknowledges that such a vow tends to make sheep of men.

The group of three becomes the first landing party on Skellig Michael off the coast of Southwest Ireland. Artt is much more concerned with setting up a chapel and copying scripture than he is with taking care of basic necessities, such as food, shelter, and fuel. He foolishly believes that God will provide everything. He also believes that future generations will forever bless the name of the mission’s founder, holy Artt. Artt treats Trian and Cormac as his inferiors in all matters and punishes them if they question his authority. The two take their vow of obedience seriously, even when their survival is at risk.

While the subject matter is fascinating, I found myself bored at times with the slowness of this character-focused story. I also I was not fond of the flowery language that was often used. For example: “The sea is quite glassy, as if God’s poured oil on it. As the red berry of the sun floats up into the sky, Trian can see everything: the silken fabric of the ocean, stretched out smooth with barely a ripple; flocks of voracious cormorants and moaning puffins working the water.”

3-stars. This novel will be published on August 23, 2022. Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for my advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

I love the historical fiction works of Emma Donoghue. This one reads like Ken Follet but only a third of the length. The story is griping right from the start and the characters are so well written. A great piece of writing.

Seventh Century, Ireland

Artt, a scholar and priest, had a dream telling him to leave the sinful world behind. So, he sets out with Cormac and Trian. As the drift off into the Atlantic they come across a rocky island (Skellig Michael) and claim it for God. The island is relatively bare save for the rocks and thousands of birds who live there. The island is a bleak setting where survival is paramount and the search for food is important and following rules is paramount.


I had both the kindle and audiobook versions of this book. I found myself going back and forth between the two but have to say the narrator had the perfect voice for this book.

Speaking of the book, it is hard for me to rate. The writing is beautiful, and the descriptions are vivid and so well done. Everything takes place in a slow fashion. I am not a slow build/slow book fan but this one worked as I imagined their days full of toil, building, and transcribing must have felt. Plus, this is not an action book. It's a book about the men, their faith, their days, and their survival.

Beautifully written, thought out and researched.

Artt has a dream.. A real dream that tells him to leave the sins of the world behind. He takes two monks with him on his adventures and they all row down the river shannon, looking for a place to build a monastery.
The island they found isn't exactly what they had in mind but they make this work? Can the survive the place to do Gods work?

It wasn't as good as I was hoping it would be. It was really slow in places and it lost my interest a few times. Dpon't get me wrong, it was worth getting to the end but I just didn't love it as much as I wanted to.

3 stars

Seventh-century scholar and priest Artt claims God has told him to take two monks and leave the world behind, to find an unspoiled place to start anew. As the men set out, they face hardships and dangers they are ill-prepared to face and have no idea how to tackle.

I like this more than I'd expected to. What do I know of priests and monks and deserted islands? But this intriguing story kept me reading as I waited to see how - or if - they would survive the terrible conditions they were up against. Cormac was the most compelling for me - an older man who became a monk late in life and struggling to keep up with the younger men. His storytelling and knowledge keeps young Trian going far longer than I expected.

Thank you to NetGalley and from Little, Brown and Company for providing me with advance e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Available August 23, 2022.

Have you ever come across something in your travels (or while reading) that made you wonder "how did that end up there"? Donoghue imagined just that in this book about a small, desolate, seemingly uninhabitable island far off the cost of Ireland that had monastic ruins on it. How did people end up living on that island and what was life like for them? Although that question is intriguing, I never connected with this story about 3 men who end up on this island in the 7th century. Readers who like contemplative books, books about survival in harsh conditions, or books about religious life should appreciate this book more than I did.

Haven by Emma Donoghue is a highly recommended literary historical fiction set in seventh-century Ireland.

In the Clanmacnoise Monastery, a scholar and priest called Artt has a dream where he feels that God has called him to set out with two monks to found a monastery isolated from the sinful world. The two monks he feels were chosen to be his companions on this sacred mission are young Trian and old Cormac. The three set out on a small boat with meager supplies down the river Shannon into the Atlantic. In the ocean, they travel until they find a steep, rocky, bare island that is home to tens of thousands of birds. Artt declares it their new home.

What follows is a tale of survival, zealotry, early Christianity, Irish mythology, obedience, and faith. The island it is set on is off the southwest coast of Ireland and is known as "Skellig Michael" (Stars Wars Episode VII where Luke was). This is a beautifully written and descriptive novel that captures the spare, pious lives of the monks as they follow Artt's increasingly extreme demands which he feels are holy instructions. The actual plot is quite simple and the conflict is found in the life Trian and Cormac are living as they follow the extremist pious and stringent leadership of Artt.

The story had me totally engrossed in it and the hardships they faced. I was invested in the characters and hoped Trian and Cormac would revolt, would understand that their devotion, their calling was to Christ and not a man. Then the big secret was revealed and it totally changed the evolution of the story and the confrontation in the final denouement. The ending was satisfying as it was hoped for, yet disappointing because the secret revealed was the impetus for it.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Little, Brown and Company via NetGalley.
The review will be published on Barnes & Noble, Edelweiss, Google Books, and Amazon

This book is quite different from other titles by this author and probably best suited for those most interested in the history described through this story. Personally I found the authors note , explaining the significance most interesting and wish it had been at the beginning of the book as it would have enhanced my enjoyment by having greater knowledge of the times and historical relevance of the story. Haven is a quick easy read about religious devotees struggling through hard times with the belief that god will provide. Did he? You’ll have to read it to find out.

Haven by Emma Donoghue was a different read for me. I don't like super old settings for books but the premise sounded promising. After reading it, which was a struggle since I couldn't relate much, I definitely learned this genre is not for me. The book was still enjoyable and enlightening. A lot of people will love this book and not want to put it down.

Haven didn't deliver exactly what I was expecting, but it definitely had its redeeming qualities. Donoghue delivers an ambient and dreamy novel about three Irishmen who set out in search of a monastery that one of them has seen in a vision. There is much to feel in and about this book that focuses on the reality of isolation and deep, unwavering faith, but the connection to the story still fell a little flat for me.

Reviewing this a few months after reading, I am surprised with how much the plot of this book has stuck with me. As someone who reads a decent amount of historical fiction, the plot and time period for this novel is so unique. This book would make an excellent book club pick!