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Summary: Stunning, lyrical and beautiful novel.
Review: Quite simply, this is one of the finest novels I've ever read. Read this book and have your heart massaged.
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Summary: Magical, lyrical prose. This book takes your breath away.
Review: Similar to "Love in the Time of Cholera", this novel speaks of the power and necessity of love. Simply brilliant.
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Summary: A Glorious and Poetic Novel of Fated Love
Review: Steeped in local Irish lore this brillianted crafted and flawlessly rendered novel is a deep meditation on the mystical nature of love and destiny. The dreamlike plot is leisurely paced, unfolding one small piece at a time as seemingly random acts and incidents build and accrue and lead to the the eventual meeting of lovers Isabel and Nicholas. FOUR LETTERS OF LOVE makes magical sense of how every moment is woven into a larger whole and that the inability to understand fate is nothing more than an inability to gain the proper perspective. There is a deep logic in this universe and everything is as it should be. There is so much in this multi-layered book. Engrossing, provocative, haunting, lyrical, wise ... and to top it off it culminates with a great payoff and a very satisfying conclusion.
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Summary: Simply, one of the best books I have read.
Review: The cliche is that no one uses the English language as beautifully or effectively as the Irish. This book does nothing to rebut that claim. I found myself reading and rereading paragraphs, trying to figure out how Mr. Williams could express emotions so wonderfully. This book is a must read- I distributed to family members, all of whom loved it. It's a strange little tale about love and love lost. Read it.
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Summary: Fate is controlled by destiny
Review: The decision to pursue art is made by William Coughlin, a grey suited civil servant husband and father.William feels he has been called by God to paint. His choice affects the lives of his son Nicholas and his wife Bette. The first three pages sets the scene for the rest of the book. A second story about the effect of blame for the fit causing Sean to be mute and lame is interwoven. His sister Isabel accepts misfortune in love as her justice for her brother's afflection. Life happenings are shown as not be choice but by destiny. Events such as the cows destroying all the paintings except two, the buring of the house, the trip by Nicholas to buy back the only existing painting by his father, Sean's cure, the trip to greet the honeymooners and the fourth letter of love lost at sea are regarded as signs. The author has written a very vivid descriptive work about choice and destiny. The sense of smell of roses, eucuylypus and juniper creates a supporting atmosphere. The reaser is stimulated to consider the probability of divine diredtion. Belief in a supreme being is presented as a spiritual experience ratner than a formalized religion. William telle Nicholas-"God does not live in red-brick churches in subburbs." The concept of angels on earth is convincing.This book is recommended for readers who have considered fate or the force of destiny.Current science shows some indication of the presence if genes receiving divine communication. Something to consider when reading this book!
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Summary: STARTED OFF SPECIAL, ENDED ORDINARY
Review: The first two thirds or so of this book were so engrossing that I couldn't put it down, but somehow it seemed to fall apart at the end. It was as though it all led up to a big conclusion that never happened. I do think, however, that Niall Williams has great potential as a novelist, and I will certainly give him another try.
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Summary: The very very best
Review: The most beautiful love story ever written. Williams provides everything a good story needs: suspense, a few miracles, wonder, some life philosophy... Packaged as a love story, which few know how to write without getting sobby, Niall William's book has been one of my most enjoyable reads of recent time. Awesome!!
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Summary: a poetic read
Review: This book has to be one of the most life-affirming novels I have read. I recommend this wholeheartedly,it is a beautifully written text,poetic in its depiction of a love affair: a wonderful first novel.
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Summary: Adult Fairy Tale
Review: This book is really more of an adult fairy tale; very dreamlike in its narration. It does, however, have beautiful prose and lyrics and is so well written by, I believe, a first-time author. It relates the bizarre relationship between a father and son, the strange behaviour of a young gifted girl and a painting that binds the characters together. At the beginning, the book was engrossing, it soon petered out towards an unsatisfactory conclusion. The book is extremely well written, but I'm not fond of one-dimensional characters and surreal storylines.
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Summary: So good I had to put the book down
Review: This book reminded me why I love reading! I frequently had to put the book down to let the delicious metaphors sink into my soul. I cannot wait until his next book.
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