Daimons

by Nina Fitzpatrick

Uggala is a rainswept, unwelcoming rock off the west Irish coast, where "nothing happens, very slowly." Its charmingly insular and backwards inhabitants are know mainly for once either rescuing or slaughtering the shipwrecked Spaniards of the Armada - depending on whom you talk to.On to this rocky beach is cast Ethna O'Keefe, the island's prodigal daughter, pregnant, without prospects, but oddly undefeated. Her return is heralded in the best Irish tradition by signs and wonders, coinciding with the arrival of the island's new priest, the inhumanly beautiful, half-dead Father Francis. As welcome, her mother banishes Ethna to a trailer by the cliffs, and her father puts her to work washing dishes in the Balor bar. Only the village rake Danny Ruane, schemer, dreamer, keeper of various women, seems to welcome her back wholeheartedly.But all that is about to change, as plans are afoot to transform Uggala from forgotten backwater to pan-European tourist hub, with mad, tragic, miraculous, and hilarious consequences.

Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Fussnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just breezed through this book, not expecting much, and toward the end, began to think that I wanted to read it again. It's lovely, and deeply felt. deeply thought. the theme is one of duality: the duality between rational thought and intuition, myth and history, madness and sanity, people and landscape.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daimons by Nina Fitzpatrick

Young and pregnant Athna is cast out by her Mother in shame, to live in a shack on the shores of Uggala (Ireland) until after she gives birth. Only Danny and Father Francis seem to accept her for who she is. Athna struggles to be accepted by society and her family, and come to like herself.

Cleverly written in alternating chapters through each persons "Daimon". I found the mysticism of each (persons) Daimon very interesting and intriguing. I also enjoyed the Irish setting. Overall I found Daimons a satisfying story of family, friendship and love. I feel others will enjoy it as well.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narrator of this books begins in-utero! Once I realized that I was hooked. Daimons doesn't refer to demons, more to do with the soul (to find out, you gotta read it for yourself).

Set mostly on a small island off of Ireland, Daimons follows the life of Finn, although the book is not really about him. The island has a variety of interesting inhabitants (I guess they're like small towns in that way), and we get to hear about their adventures via Finn.

The ending just kind of...ended, I wanted more from Finn's future. I feel like the other characters got mostly wrapped up. I guess for him it was just that he reached maturity and lost touch with something (won't say what that is, too much of a spoiler).

[Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel about the motivations of the inhabitants of the tiny Irish island of Uggala, including a girl who has a love affair with the priest there. It's set in the modern era but has a timeless quality about it. The use of the English language is stunning.

For some reason, the name Uggala persistently evokes for me the character name Unn from The Ice Palace which was, in a way, also about an island.