Sign in with Facebook
Angela M is taking a break.'s Reviews > This Is Happiness
This Is Happiness
by
by
It’s a quiet story where it seems not much happens, but yet everything that is significant in life happens, slow moving and graceful - the beauty of friendship, of love, of family. The gorgeous writing took me back to Faha, the small village in Ireland of Niall Williams’ History of the Rain.
“It was where, when darkness fell, it fell absolutely, and when you went outside the wind sometimes drew apart the clouds and you stood in the revelation of so many stars that you could not credit the wonder and felt smaller in the body as your soul felt enormous.”
Noe is now an elderly man reflecting on his past as he grows up in the 1950’s in a place that amazingly doesn’t yet have electricity, making this feel like it’s so much further back in time, the story of a seemingly less complicated place and time. But it is so realistic in its portrayal of the sadness of loss, grief, regret and forgiveness that is part of life anywhere, anytime. A beautiful story.
“It was where, when darkness fell, it fell absolutely, and when you went outside the wind sometimes drew apart the clouds and you stood in the revelation of so many stars that you could not credit the wonder and felt smaller in the body as your soul felt enormous.”
Noe is now an elderly man reflecting on his past as he grows up in the 1950’s in a place that amazingly doesn’t yet have electricity, making this feel like it’s so much further back in time, the story of a seemingly less complicated place and time. But it is so realistic in its portrayal of the sadness of loss, grief, regret and forgiveness that is part of life anywhere, anytime. A beautiful story.
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
This Is Happiness.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
Comments Showing 1-48 of 48 (48 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Michael
(new)
-
added it
Dec 04, 2021 08:37PM
Really looking forward to reading this... I have loved the few books I've read of his..
reply
|
flag
Enticing review, Angela. Sounds like the perfect book to curl up inside with a blanket and get lost in.
Sounds like a lovely one. Great review, Angela :)
I remember this book set in Faha for its beautiful and graceful writing too. Lovely review, Angela.
Michael, I hope to read more by him .
Linda, yes that would be a perfect way to read this. Thanks’
Jen, thanks! It was a wonderful story. I have to admit that I loved History of the Rain more , though.
Laysee , thanks so much. Beautiful writing!
Lovely review, Angela, I love the way he writes, his people in his stories and the stories, themselves. His History of the Rain has a special place in my heart.
Cheri, thanks so . History of Rain is such a fabulous book . While I enjoyed this one I loved HoR more .
Beautiful review, Angela. And I think that quiet stories may be what we need right now. Thank you.
A lovely review of a book that really touched my heart, Angela :)
Lorna, thanks very much. I definitely agree!
Candi , I read your beautiful reviewtoday . I missed it when you first read it and realized that was a time when I was away from GR for a bit with a family loss . In any event I’m glad I read it now as well as the book .
Angela, thank you :) There is something special about Williams' writing. I need to make a point of reading him again in the coming new year.
Lovely review, Angela.
Wow,Angela. You truly have a way with words. Added!
Bianca, thanks very much.
Martha, thanks so much for your kind words!
That cover image reminds me of Saskatchewan from the book Wolf Willow. That is also mostly a man's memory of his childhood and how his town used to be but it also includes one very excellent story about cowboys and the awful weather they encounter during the worst blizzard - think the year was 1909? I will check out this one since I did love Wolf Willow and they sound similar.
Angela, your beautiful review has me notching this one up a bit on the list.
I enjoy these quiet, emotional stories, too, and really need to try this author. Lovely review, Angela!
I love these quiet stories that say so very much. Adding. Thanks Angela!
Lovely review Angela. I've only read one book by this author but I loved his writing. Sounds like this is another to try to get hold of.
Wonderful review Angela 😎🎄
Sarah , I’ll have to check out Wolf Willow. Thanks.
Lisa, Jennifer, Jan, Sharon, Dorie, Dem, Zoey and Julie, thanks so much my friends.
Enjoyed your pithy review Ms. Angela 🍍
Thanks, Jaidee !
DeAnn, thanks so much.
I agree with M, you have a gift with words, Angela 🙂
Marialyce, thanks very much.
Laura, thanks so much !
Wonderfully written, Angela. I am compelled to make the journey to Faha by reading this book!
Thanks very much , Jeri . Worth the trip!
On my TBR. Lovely review, Angela!
Antoinette, thanks so much. I think you’ll enjoy it .
Very nice review, Angela! This and a few other of Williams' novels are on my TBR list and I'm working my way through it - slow but sure!🐢🐇
Jodi , thanks. So many to read !
Angela, I'm circling back because I finally got to this read. What a lovely way to end the year!You wrote: "where it seems not much happens, but yet everything that is significant in life happens which points back to William's theme that our lives are our stories.
Thank you for the nudge to move this one up the list.
I just heard and saw a review of this on Ann Patchett’s TT account, Parnassus Books. Thought I’d check with my GR friends before investing. I’m sold. Lovely review.
Eadle, thanks so much . Hope you enjoy it !
Starting this today and looking forward to it! Thank you for your lovely review!!
