The
Secret Scripture .
Sebastian Barry. Thorndike Press. 2008.
Book review by Jane
I love books that can trick me just a little and that have characters
that are both interesting and not so perfect. As with the discovery and
unfolding of this main character, Roseanne, innocence is not always flawless.
I loved learning more about her as time went along. The story takes place
in Ireland and the main character is around 100 years old today, so you
can imagine the historical boundaries. I loved how the main character
comes out during the story. I guess this story could definitely have a
sequel to it, even though it is about a 100-year-old woman. At any rate,
I would like a few questions answered. I don’t know if that is always
a good thing with a book, but I didn’t feel betrayed necessarily
by the storyteller, so I will leave it at that. The book made me think
of how I treat people on the outside bounds of the little world I have
made for myself. I can’t explain why, or I may give away part of
the storyline, and I was a bit surprised by it. I guess I was expecting
something bloody and obscure to happen, kind of like in a Dean Koontz
novel. I recommend it to people who like historical fiction. The Irish
history is still a little cloudy to me, not something I’ve known
a lot about. It was neat how the author put it in Roseanne’s dimensions;
it seemed like they are the same dimensions that I have regarding the
history that has taken place around me. She definitely knew what was going
on, but at the same time, she was often half-paying attention to it because
of events in her own life. So it seemed real. Anyway, it was a cool story,
and I liked listening to Roseanne talk in her Irish accent as things went
along; sometimes as an old lady and sometimes as a young one.
Jane.
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