Angela M is taking a break.'s Reviews > History of the Rain
History of the Rain
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I was in this small town Faha, in Ireland, in this attic room filled with so many books, in the mind and heart of Ruth Swain, an unforgettable character who made me laugh, cry, think and want to read all of those classics I never read. Nineteen and bedridden in her attic room, with an illness that is never fully divulged, Ruth Swain reads and writes and tells us stories, her story and the story of her family. In an utterly stunning way, we the readers are addressed by Ruth and we become part of her story. The novel is not told in a consecutive way. It moves around in time from the present to Ruth’s childhood, to her father’s and grandfather’s earlier lives, how her mother and father met, and the time she shared with her twin brother Aeney. It’s a family saga, but so much more. It’s about a reading life, a writing life, about creativity, about wanting to know one’s history and it is just beautifully told . Literary references are abundant as Ruth sets her mind on reading the nearly four thousand books left to her by her father. The water images, the call of the River Shannon, the salmon, the sound of it flowing, the rain - the power of story telling bringing beauty, solace, loss and yet hope. Williams has convinced me that I should read every one of his books.
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Reading Progress
July 12, 2016
– Shelved
July 12, 2016
– Shelved as:
to-read
April 18, 2020
–
Started Reading
April 25, 2020
–
Finished Reading
July 1, 2020
– Shelved as:
2020-favorites
Comments Showing 1-50 of 78 (78 new)
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Angela M is taking a break.
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rated it 5 stars
Apr 26, 2020 07:34AM
Elyse , we’re hanging in here. I’ll pm you this week.
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Dearest Angela: It is so good to see that you have read a book that you loved. Those Five stars tell me that you enjoyed it and I am so happy for you. xo
I love your review and your passion for this book and writer, Angela! After my introduction to Williams last month, I'm just as convinced as you are that I need to read all of his books :)
C, it really is a lovely book . It was published in 2014 and I’ve probably had it on my kindle since then. I have so many of my own books and I need to get to them and maybe read less Arcs .
Angela M wrote: "C, it really is a lovely book . It was published in 2014 and I’ve probably had it on my kindle since then. I have so many of my own books and I need to get to them and maybe read less Arcs ."
Oh Yay!
Oh Yay!
Gosh, that's quite a testament. Put it on my list to consider. The content is different, but the way you describe how it's put together reminds me of the one I'm on now, that I'm really enjoying. Wonderful review.
Beautfful review Angela! There's not much better than a book that is a testament to the love of books and reading.
That was such a beautiful book. Strangely I did not try to find any more of the author's work. I will now you have reminded me:)
I loved this book too, Angela, and went on to read more of this author but with far less enjoyment. Lovely review and a lovely reminder of this book.
Fiona, thank you . I will definitely read some others and be interested to know if I feel the same as you. This one will be hard to top!
Angela, you've made me want to re-read this and maybe now, in a strange/quiet world, would be the perfect time. I also read O Come Ye Back to Ireland, written with his wife, about their move back to rural Ireland in the late 1980s. Very different writing than his novel but also very enjoyable and thoughtful.
Welcome to the Niall Williams fan club, Angela. I got turned on to him via Cheri's reviews, and I'm on my way to reading all of his books. He has a new one just out.
Thanks so much Marialyce, Melissa, Brenda, Sallie, Maricarmen, Betsy and Antoinette.
Betsy, I bought a copy of the new one !
Betsy, I bought a copy of the new one !
Fabulous review, Angela! I'm so happy that you loved this, and the writing... so so so good! This was my introduction to his writing, his storytelling, and I am slowly going through his others so that I have more of his to look forward to!
That was a powerful and moving tribute, Angela. I'm glad this is already on Mount TBR. Can't wait to see what you have to say when you get around to his other books.