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65 pages 2 hours read

This Is Happiness

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019

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Book Brief

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Niall Williams

This Is Happiness

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019
Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Faha, Ireland • 1950s

Publication Year

2019

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

This Is Happiness by Niall Williams is a coming-of-age novel narrated by an older Noe, reflecting on the transformative summer of his 17th year in the fictional village of Faha, Ireland, during the advent of electricity. The story highlights themes of personal growth, first love, tradition versus progress, and the power of storytelling, set against the backdrop of rural life and societal change. The book includes themes of parental death and abandonment.

Nostalgic

Contemplative

Melancholic

Heartwarming

Reviews & Readership

4.3

24,431 ratings

82%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

This Is Happiness by Niall Williams is lauded for its lyrical prose and rich portrayal of Irish rural life. Readers praise the vivid characters, nostalgic atmosphere, and humor. Some critics find the pacing slow and the plot meandering. Overall, it is celebrated for its deep emotional resonance and evocative writing.

Who should read this

Who Should Read This Is Happiness?

A potential reader who would enjoy This Is Happiness by Niall Williams is likely interested in lyrical, reflective literature set in rural Ireland. Similar to those who appreciate the works of Colm Tóibín's Brooklyn or Pat Conroy's The Prince of Tides, they value rich character development, atmospheric settings, and a nostalgic exploration of change and tradition.

4.3

24,431 ratings

82%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Faha, Ireland • 1950s

Publication Year

2019

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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