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56 pages 1 hour read

Old God's Time

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023

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Book Brief

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Sebastian Barry

Old God's Time

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023
Book Details
Pages

261

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Ireland • Contemporary

Publication Year

2023

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry, Tom Kettle, a retired police detective living in a quiet Irish seaside town, is thrust back into his traumatic past as he becomes involved in a present-day investigation into crimes committed by priests, triggering complex memories and reflections on his life, including deeply entrenched themes of trauma, violence, and the passage of time. This source material contains depictions of physical and sexual violence against minors, suicide, drug abuse, terrorism, violence, and murder.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Mysterious

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Sebastian Barry's Old God's Time is praised for its lyrical prose and compelling narrative, but some readers found its pacing slow. Barry's portrayal of complex characters and haunting themes resonate strongly, though a few noted that the intricate storyline occasionally felt convoluted. Overall, it's a powerful, emotional journey for fans of literary fiction.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Old God's Time?

A reader who relishes introspective narratives and complex character studies will treasure Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry. Fans of Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day or Marilynne Robinson's Gilead will find a similarly profound exploration of memory, loss, and redemption in this poignant, lyrical tale.

Book Details
Pages

261

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Ireland • Contemporary

Publication Year

2023

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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