And I loved Roseanne’s tragic story of the twin wounds of misogyny and religiosity, which have blighted so many lives, not only in twentieth century Ireland.

Perhaps because knowing what was coming gave me space to admire the setup. Rereading it, I wasn’t as disappointed in the neat-and-cosy ending as I was the first time round. Whereas Roseanne’s memories, distorted or not, are poignantly vivid, and the injustice bites at the reader’s heart.įirst published in 2008, Sebastian Barry’s The Secret Scripture was shortlisted for the Booker and won the Costa award that year. I know where my biases lie, but the Father Gaunt’s narrative is doubly disadvantaged by coming to us second hand. Whose version will you trust, that of an elderly woman shut away for decades or a self-interested Catholic priest? It’s not until later that he discovers how these contradict Roseanne’s own testimony, although the reader is aware from early on. In the crumbling hospital scheduled for closure, her case notes have been devoured by rodents, although fragments from her previous placement in Sligo remain. Meanwhile, William Grene, her psychiatrist, is reviewing his own life as he approaches retirement, while trying to make sense of the patchy record of hers. The bigotry and sectarianism that curtailed her marriage. The tragedy that blighted her hitherto happy childhood, and sent her mother mad. His story unfolds with pathos and humour, but I think I preferred the chapters narrated more poetically in the second person (a device the author uses in her 2019 Booker-prize-winning Girl, Woman, Other) from the perspective of his wife.Īlthough light in touch, the novel makes serious points about LGBT history, not only in showcasing a gay relationship within the Caribbean community, but with some reflections (perhaps a bit preachy for a novel, but I welcomed them) on tolerance of homosexuality in pre-colonial Africa (p258):Īpproaching her hundredth birthday, Roseanne McNulty is transcribing the vicissitudes of her life in western Ireland. Barry wants this too, but is terrified of coming out.īarry is a flamboyant character, a snazzy dresser who is nevertheless full of prejudice himself. Now Morris, himself long divorced, is pushing for them to live together. But despite the strength of his love for Morris, he’s kept that relationship secret from his daughters, the Caribbean community and his long-suffering wife.

Seventy-four-year-old Londoner Barrington (Barry) Jedediah Walker has been one half of a couple since their school days in Antigua.

Mr loverman review