Plot Summary

The Heather Blazing

Colm Tóibín
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The Heather Blazing

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1992

Book Brief

Colm Tóibín

The Heather Blazing

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1992
Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Ireland • 1980s

Publication Year

1992

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Heather Blazing by Colm Tóibín follows Eamon Redmond, an emotionally reserved Irish High Court Judge, whose life spans most of the twentieth century amidst changing Irish views on history, religion, and sexuality. Through alternating chapters of his late years and his upbringing in the 1940s, the novel explores how his detachment impacts his relationships and professional life. Topics addressed include the death of a parent and coping with loss.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.0

3,106 ratings

70%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Colm Tóibín's The Heather Blazing offers a poignant exploration of an Irish judge's life, filled with evocative landscapes and emotional depth. Critics praise its lyrical prose and deep character insights. However, some find its pacing slow and narrative structure disjointed. Overall, it's commended for its thoughtful portrayal of personal and political complexities.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Heather Blazing?

A reader who would enjoy The Heather Blazing by Colm Tóibín likely appreciates introspective and emotionally nuanced narratives. Fans of Ian McEwan’s Amsterdam or Anne Enright’s The Gathering may find similar thematic depths, exploring personal and political histories within a richly textured Irish setting.

4.0

3,106 ratings

70%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Fun Facts

The Heather Blazing was published in 1992 and was Colm Tóibín's second novel, showcasing his continued exploration of Irish society and identity.

Colm Tóibín has mentioned in interviews how the coastal landscape, which is vividly depicted in The Heather Blazing, was inspired by his own childhood experiences in County Wexford, Ireland.

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The novel won the Encore Award in 1993, which is given to the best second novel published in the UK, highlighting Tóibín's growing recognition as a significant literary talent.

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Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Ireland • 1980s

Publication Year

1992

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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