What do you think?
Rate this book
NOVENA: Parishioners cry for help. But can a ritual change human nature.
A Novena, is a nine-day Catholic religious service of special prayers.
The story unfolds over eighteen days in the year 1960. Within this period a ‘Novena of Grace’ the story’s theme, takes place in, or connected to, the Dublin suburban parish of the ‘Star of the Sea’ Sandymount, a seaside village.
Participants in the Novena have their secret request to God, known as an ‘intention’ to receive the grace (assistance) to overcome a shortcoming, heal a weakness, right a wrong, or be granted a favour. The sins of the flesh are prominent in these requests, especially concerning the doctrines, and restraints of Catholicism at that time. Apart from the participants, another male in the community plans and commits a murder. The crime goes as expected and all is well until the body turns up on Sandymount strand.
The serious but often funny interplay of the participants, their families and some fellow parishioners are life-changing in their exposures and acceptances, involving love, hate, violence, pity, religious awakening, and alcoholic need.
The characters portrayed, are ordinary parishioners representing the Catholic middle-class ethos prevailing at that time.
All the ‘intention’ problems are resolved, but not necessarily as expected.
The story unfolds over eighteen days in the year 1960. Within this period a ‘Novena of Grace’ the story’s theme, takes place in, or connected to, the Dublin suburban parish of the ‘Star of the Sea’ Sandymount, a seaside village.
Participants in the Novena have their secret request to God, known as an ‘intention’ to receive the grace (assistance) to overcome a shortcoming, heal a weakness, right a wrong, or be granted a favour. The sins of the flesh are prominent in these requests, especially concerning the doctrines, and restraints of Catholicism at that time. Apart from the participants, another male in the community plans and commits a murder. The crime goes as expected and all is well until the body turns up on Sandymount strand.
The serious but often funny interplay of the participants, their families and some fellow parishioners are life-changing in their exposures and acceptances, involving love, hate, violence, pity, religious awakening, and alcoholic need.
The characters portrayed, are ordinary parishioners representing the Catholic middle-class ethos prevailing at that time.
All the ‘intention’ problems are resolved, but not necessarily as expected.
250 pages, Paperback
Published February 17, 2023
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
No one has reviewed this book yet.