55 pages • 1 hour read
When All Is Said
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Book Brief
336
Novel • Fiction
Ireland • Contemporary
2019
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
When All Is Said by Anne Griffin follows Maurice, an elder reflecting on his life at a hotel bar by offering five toasts, each dedicated to significant individuals, including family members and friends, who shaped his journey. Throughout this poignant evening, Maurice contemplates love, loss, and regret, ultimately using his final moments to reckon with his past and connect with his absent son, Kevin. Contains depictions of pregnancy loss, mental health conditions, forced sedation, suicide, and sexual assault.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Emotional
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
58,363 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Anne Griffin's When All Is Said captivates with its poignant storytelling and rich character development, drawing readers into an emotionally charged narrative. The novel's regional charm and depth earn high praise, although some critics note a slow pace. Griffin’s evocative prose and heartfelt themes resonate, but the story may feel overly sentimental for some.
Who Should Read When All Is Said?
Readers who enjoyed A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman or The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce would appreciate When All Is Said. Ideal for fans of poignant, character-driven stories that explore life’s complexities through reflective and emotive storytelling.
58,363 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
336
Novel • Fiction
Ireland • Contemporary
2019
Adult
18+ years
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