This is such a beautifully written, lyric story. While reading it, I found myself waiting for the plot to 'happen', and it does at some point, but that's not the important point. The mystery that Tom Kettle, Irish retired policeman, tries to solve many years after it first puzzled him, is not as important or as relevant as his inner thoughts and reflections. He is a man who, after retirement and the death of his wife June, starts interrogating himself on life and death, the concept of time, parenthood, companionship, and the meaning of service. I found that the psychological aspect of this novel is much more interesting than the plot itself. It is indeed a beautiful read, lyrically melancholic and sometimes outright sad. It made me want to talk to my parents more.

An exquisitely poignant novel; rich and bittersweet. The prose is dense and rich which makes this a novel to read slowly, savouring each sentence. The premise appears simple: recently retired policeman, widower Tom Kettle, is approached by two younger members of the force to request his input into an old case that has been reopened. But it soon becomes clear that this story is multi-layered. And Tom Kettle may not be a reliable narrator. At times unbearable in its pathos, this is a finely crafted novel, commensurate with other works from this marvellous writer.

Having previously loved Sebastian Barry's writing, I went into reading this with very high hopes, which was perhaps not the best approach. While I still really enjoyed it, I don't think it lived up completely to my high expectations. The writing is still as hauntingly beautiful as ever, however I found the plot to be wanting. There were a few too many sections where nothing is happening, and we are just reading the main character Tom's wistful nostalgia for pages after pages. I was still engaged, but it didn't feel like anything too special.

Quite beautiful and I felt lost when I had finished this book. Incredible writing dealing with such difficult issues with such care and tenderness

This is such a beautiful novel. It’s about love. It is wonderfully written. It is so heartbreaking. Such an important book

My apologies for taking so very long to read and review this novel. I should know better as I am a big fan of Sebastian Barry's books (and he is the most amazing speaker at Writer's Festivals; one of the best. He can act as well!). This novel is so beautifully Irish in every way; the writing (of course) the characters, the setting, the story. Sensitively told confronting issues, in depth characters, a mystery, and of course the incomparable Irish landscapes and moody sea. A poignant journey with a powerful ending. And how refreshing it is to have as a protagonist a good man in retired detective Tom Kettle. It seems increasingly rare to find good men in novels.
With thanks to NetGalley and Faber and Faber for the digital ARC.

How to review this book, hard to categorise but absolutely worth reading, it is wonderfully written, so lyrical and with fabulously Irish idioms. An important exploration of the impact and legacy of abuse within the catholic church and christian brothers, through the story of retired policeman Tom Kettle and his wife June and their two children. Written from Tom's perspective he is absolutely an unreliable narrator, as the prose moves between recollection, daily life and a more ephemeral, ghostly presentation. One reviewer states with certainty that this is a novel about a man defending into dementia, possibly or maybe, a man coming to terms with awful life events, that are brought back with the opening of an old cold case. I'm not sure we need to know for sure, maybe we are meant to be able to witness and understand the terrible legacy of religious brutality and abuse that is still having an impact on Ireland today. To quote from the book:

"Many a soul put out like a candlewick in the sea of that lust."

Sebastian Barry isn't afraid to shine a light in the dark corners, in a way that good literature can and I would argue should do.

With thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Complex and multilayered book about a policeman brought back to help solve a cold case. It moves between the past and the present, sometime confusingly so. There was times I wasn't sure in which period I was currently reading. But I thought the romance between Tom and June was natural and well depicted, It's a bit of an emotional rollercoaster at times, and touches on some deep psychological issues, but over all I enjoyed this and would recommend it.

Unfortunately I have not been able to connect with this book and so after multiple attempts I have had to mark as dnf.

I respect that this is a beautifully written book with a powerful narrative but I struggled with the writing and often got confused as to where the story was. There are lots of excellent reviews for this so I realise I am a very small minority that just wasn’t able to connect with it.

Thank you Netgalley

Though at times a little confusing, Sebastian Barry's Old God's time is an intriguing and harrowing story of a retired police officer and the unfair reality of the justice system in Ireland as he attempts to aid investigation into unsolved cases from his past. Dark secrets emerge as the novel unfolds and the reader is not left wanting for shock factor. The novel explores the terrible truth of corruption in the justice system, religion, and the devastating effects of abuse and trauma on people throughout their lives.

This is a very quotable book though sometimes I did feel the writing was overcomplicated and confused me, however overall this was a gorgeously written book and I highly recommend to fans of the darker side of modern Irish literature.

This has been an ARC on my list for the longest time and I finally got around to it!

This book is about Tom, a retired policeman, who gets approached by two former colleagues of his about the case of a murdered priest from decades ago. As the book goes on, Tom helps them as he thinks back to his family (his wife and children especially) and thinks on his current neighbours.

This was a little slow to start for me, but so was Barry's previous book, Days Without End. And just like that, this book packs a punch when it starts to get going and you realise what it's about. I found Tom as a character unreliable and yet compelling, as his love for his wife and children and his need to help, comes through. The writing style blends past and present so you're not entirely sure what is true and what isn't, what Tom is remembering and what he is actually doing. This worked really well most of the time but at some points, I wish it was clearer about what Tom was actually doing in the present (such as the very end).

This is an extremely heavy book and, while I wasn't aware of the subject matter itself, I am glad I waited a little until I was in the right mood to appreciate this book. The plot is heavily focused around child sexual abuse and the far-reaching consequences for everyone, not only the direct victims, even decades later. This book is heartbreaking and well-written, but yes, it's not an easy read in the slightest.

I do like this author's writing and I'll pick up future books of his but I didn't like this book quite as much as I did Days Without End.

4 stars!

Beautiful, heartbreaking and full of hope. This is sublime writing from Barry who is a master of the craft.

The main character, a retired police officer and an entirely unreliable narrator, is asked to assist when cases of clerical abuse are reopened. He has deeply personal connections to these cases. There are perhaps a few two many novels these days about the Roman Catholic Church and the sexual of children. I felt this one in particular added nothing much to the conversation. It’s executed in annoyingly unrestrained, overblown prose. I finished the book, but it was not a satisfying reading experience.
I appreciate having been given an ARC. However, it greatly surprised me that this novel should have appeared on the Booker Prize longlist.

‘Old God's Time’ by Sebastian Barry is a sensitively and quietly written tale of family tragedy and loss. Beautiful, so subtle, with moments of extreme grief and love, flashes of helplessness and impending trouble. A difficult read but also enjoyable, Barry is a master of his craft.
The pace starts slowly, gently with Barry tightening the screw of perception as newly-retired policeman Tom Kettle [what a great name] is forced to remember what he has buried so deep. You may think, as I did, oh please not another story about abusive Irish priests; but this is about Tom and his beloved wife June, their children Winnie and Joe, not about the clergy. Barry dallies with our perception of what the story is about. He shows us Tom adjust to his existence without work, his flat, the changeable Irish weather, the coastline, at the same time exploring the nature of memory, lived memory, what is true and what is perception or presumption, while increasing the mystery of Tom’s past. The misty, stormy changing weather echoes this visibility/invisibility of personal truth.
Tom’s new routine is disturbed by a visit from two young detectives, uncomfortable in his presence, unsure of how to behave with such a venerable retired detective. Tom makes them cheese on toast and gives them a bed for the night. But their absence lingers in his mind as memories of an old crime resurface.
Is Tom Kettle a reliable or unreliable narrator? Is his truth believable and reliable – who is alive now, and who dead – or the confusion of an ageing memory? He sees real people, and ghosts, which suggests he is older than he is, confused, fading, vulnerable. As Tom revisits his memories again for the detectives, and in private moments on his own, the emotional story comes together. The responsibilities of husband and father stay with him, all of his time, ‘Things happened to people, and some people were required to lift great weights that crushed you if you faltered just for a moment. It was his job not to falter. But every day he faltered.’
A novel about the depth of love, it defines genre description. It is mystery, suspense, tragedy, gentle humour, contemporary, Irish history and crime but is ultimately a story of mourning lives lost and innocence destroyed. A dark read about lasting trauma, it is slow at times but please persist with it.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-reviews-a-z/

A stunningly bleak but beautiful novel that will stay with me for a very long time. You’ll feel like an emotional wreck by the end. Wonderful!

as ever, skillful and ardent, engaging writing from Barry - but this time, it transcends what sometimes feels simply 'worthy' (and dull) - I cared for the retired cop, and felt for him as he assessed an older case, and the younger/newer people took on his advice (or not) as an experienced detective. that's what sticks out for me most - and it's reassuring to know Barry can depict this with smarts and nuance. highly recommend

Magnificent.

Intense, beautiful prose with an unceasing stream of consciousness flow that carries you on and draws you into the hallucinatory reality/unreality of Tom Kettle's life. You think you've got hold of the truth (as does Tom) then it is whisked away. The sea glitters and gleams, people are old then young again, dead then alive, ghosts (or are they?) walk the landscape, and Tom watches it all from his wicker chair.

I was entranced. Why have I not discovered Sebastian Barry's books before? What a treat I have lined up.

My fourth from the Booker Long List, and surprisingly my new second fave.
.
I can see why some people say it was a bit heavy handed, and also quite long winded (Tom sure is a waffler) - but I found myself really feeling for poor old Tom Kettle. Especially by the end. So it ticked a lot of my personal judging criteria – sentences that stopped me and I had to reread and wanted to highlight, and it made me feel things – mostly disgust (Priests and child abuse 🤮 – one based on a true character and true facts) and sadness (Tom’s been through a lot) – and yes at times boredom because he goes off on a million tangents.

The story of a retired Irish Policeman with a haunted and traumatic past, begins with a visit to his home from two former colleagues looking for assistance with a cold case. This sets Tom off on a journey of remembering and dredging up his life as he reflects on the events leading up to and around the case.

I adored the way Tom’s love for his wife and his family was written. Right from the beginning there can be no doubt of his love for June. So much depth in the language. However, I was not a fan of any of the talk of bodily functions. Tom’s mind is a bit of a mess and he is not always the most reliable narrator – but I think that made him all the more realistic. Loved it.

i felt a little torn about this one. i am always a big fan of an unreliable narrator situation, but in this scenario i found myself going back and forth between enjoying the narration and feeling a bit confused with the narrators unreliability. i did manage to wade my way through it though. at the end of the day sebastian barry has still written a really interesting novel about love and grief and the memories we hold onto. it was overall enjoyable kinda good but not something that will stand out for me this year