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The Things We Know Now
When Patrick Grant meets Ella, he seizes the opportunity of a new life with her. He imagines the future with his beautiful second wife by his side: the years ahead filled with all that is bright and promising. When Ella gives birth to Daniel, Patrick’s happiness is complete. A son at last. Patrick adores Daniel: a golden child, talented, artistic, loving.
And then, when Daniel is fourteen, tragedy strikes. Without warning, Patrick and Ella’s world is shattered beyond repair and Patrick is forced to re-evaluate everything: his own life, his role as husband and father, all his previous assumptions about family. Together with Ella, he is forced to embark on a voyage of discovery. He must confront uncomfortable truths about himself and about the privileged world he and his wife inhabit.
This is the story of a family torn apart by conflict, suspicion and loss. It is also a story, ultimately, of redemption and forgiveness – and the strength of severely-tested family bonds.
And then, when Daniel is fourteen, tragedy strikes. Without warning, Patrick and Ella’s world is shattered beyond repair and Patrick is forced to re-evaluate everything: his own life, his role as husband and father, all his previous assumptions about family. Together with Ella, he is forced to embark on a voyage of discovery. He must confront uncomfortable truths about himself and about the privileged world he and his wife inhabit.
This is the story of a family torn apart by conflict, suspicion and loss. It is also a story, ultimately, of redemption and forgiveness – and the strength of severely-tested family bonds.
352 pages, Paperback
First published November 8, 2012
24 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Dunne
26 books118 followersMost writers serve a very long apprenticeship.
I became a fulltime writer in 1995, but I’ve been writing ever since I can remember. From short – very short – stories as a child to the usual excruciating poetry as a teenager: I’ve probably being putting words on paper for almost half a century now. What a thought.
As a child, it took me a few years to learn that there was a difference between reading and writing. For me, if you loved books, then of course you were going to try and write your own. But that was an almost impossible ambition in the Ireland where I grew up. I did the next best thing: the thing that kept me closest to books. I became a teacher, and I taught, very happily, for seventeen years. I loved teaching and still very much enjoy the Creative Writing workshops that I often facilitate.
But writing increasingly became a compulsion, almost an obsession. Nothing else satisfied in the way that writing satisfied, and so I continued to attempt poetry, short stories, non-fiction essays, honing my craft, serving my apprenticeship, until I finally finished my first novel, In the Beginning.
In the Beginning was published in 1997 and was very well-received, both critically and popularly. It was translated into several languages and went on to be shortlisted for the ‘Bancarella’ – the Italian booksellers’ prize.
A Name for Himself followed a year later, and was short listed for the Kerry Fiction Prize.
Between 2000 and 2014, I have published seven further novels: The Walled Garden, Another Kind of Life, Something Like Love, At a Time Like This, Set in Stone, Missing Julia and The Things We Know Now.
My non-fiction book, An Unconsidered People was published in 2003.
I’ve also written short stories and non-fiction pieces for various publications, among them Moments, Travelling Light, and Irish Girls about Town.
I receive a lot of requests to discuss various aspects of the creative process: the role played by inspiration, imagination, dedication and craft. I can’t answer all of these questions individually, so part of this website has been dedicated to a ‘Readers’ Forum’ in order to attempt to answer the most frequently-asked questions.
I became a fulltime writer in 1995, but I’ve been writing ever since I can remember. From short – very short – stories as a child to the usual excruciating poetry as a teenager: I’ve probably being putting words on paper for almost half a century now. What a thought.
As a child, it took me a few years to learn that there was a difference between reading and writing. For me, if you loved books, then of course you were going to try and write your own. But that was an almost impossible ambition in the Ireland where I grew up. I did the next best thing: the thing that kept me closest to books. I became a teacher, and I taught, very happily, for seventeen years. I loved teaching and still very much enjoy the Creative Writing workshops that I often facilitate.
But writing increasingly became a compulsion, almost an obsession. Nothing else satisfied in the way that writing satisfied, and so I continued to attempt poetry, short stories, non-fiction essays, honing my craft, serving my apprenticeship, until I finally finished my first novel, In the Beginning.
In the Beginning was published in 1997 and was very well-received, both critically and popularly. It was translated into several languages and went on to be shortlisted for the ‘Bancarella’ – the Italian booksellers’ prize.
A Name for Himself followed a year later, and was short listed for the Kerry Fiction Prize.
Between 2000 and 2014, I have published seven further novels: The Walled Garden, Another Kind of Life, Something Like Love, At a Time Like This, Set in Stone, Missing Julia and The Things We Know Now.
My non-fiction book, An Unconsidered People was published in 2003.
I’ve also written short stories and non-fiction pieces for various publications, among them Moments, Travelling Light, and Irish Girls about Town.
I receive a lot of requests to discuss various aspects of the creative process: the role played by inspiration, imagination, dedication and craft. I can’t answer all of these questions individually, so part of this website has been dedicated to a ‘Readers’ Forum’ in order to attempt to answer the most frequently-asked questions.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
November 3, 2013
Patrick Grant thinks when he meets Ella some time after his wife Cecilia has died, that he is being given a second chance at life and being a better husband and father. But not everyone is pleased for him. One of his three daughters, Rebecca, is antagonistic towards him and the marriage, but then she has been ever since Patrick and Cecilia had a huge fight when Rebecca was four. In her eyes she had good reason to be angry at him.
But his second marriage and subsequent child does not work out as Patrick anticipated. To have a family where members don’t get along is hard. To have a child die is even harder, especially when you don’t know why. This novel seeks to explore circumstances that lead to the friction between Patrick and his eldest daughter as well as what causes his son to take his own life so young. That’s not giving too much of the story away because it opens with his son’s death in the first chapter, before it goes back to fill in the days and years leading up to it. The novel is told in a number of voices from Patrick, Rebecca, Ella, Daniel’s friends Edward and Sylvia, Maryam - the neighbour and mother of Edward, and Frances and Sophie - Patrick’s twin daughters.
The reader is able to piece together from all the stories and remembrances exactly what led Daniel to his decision.
Despite the fact that Patrick is not the most likeable person I found myself drawn into this story. Rebecca is not so likeable much of the time either but I found her easier to relate to that Patrick. At times I questioned the wisdom of his decisions or lack thereof and felt like hitting him for his lack of understanding and selfishness. This book is not always easy to read, because of the family tensions and the reasons behind untimely Daniel’s death, yet I found it compelling reading as it tackles a difficult subject that needs to be talked about. One night the wiping up just had to wait till I finished the book. I will look for more books by this author.
But his second marriage and subsequent child does not work out as Patrick anticipated. To have a family where members don’t get along is hard. To have a child die is even harder, especially when you don’t know why. This novel seeks to explore circumstances that lead to the friction between Patrick and his eldest daughter as well as what causes his son to take his own life so young. That’s not giving too much of the story away because it opens with his son’s death in the first chapter, before it goes back to fill in the days and years leading up to it. The novel is told in a number of voices from Patrick, Rebecca, Ella, Daniel’s friends Edward and Sylvia, Maryam - the neighbour and mother of Edward, and Frances and Sophie - Patrick’s twin daughters.
The reader is able to piece together from all the stories and remembrances exactly what led Daniel to his decision.
Despite the fact that Patrick is not the most likeable person I found myself drawn into this story. Rebecca is not so likeable much of the time either but I found her easier to relate to that Patrick. At times I questioned the wisdom of his decisions or lack thereof and felt like hitting him for his lack of understanding and selfishness. This book is not always easy to read, because of the family tensions and the reasons behind untimely Daniel’s death, yet I found it compelling reading as it tackles a difficult subject that needs to be talked about. One night the wiping up just had to wait till I finished the book. I will look for more books by this author.
June 13, 2017
I read this novel-randomly-after watching the "13-reasons why" TV show, turns out they have some topic "Consequences of school bulling" but different details. To be honest It was not exciting, I felt boredom in many pages and I skipped many lines/pages , I think it has a lot of unnecessary details, but I liked the parental feelings spread all over the novel.
Throughout this novel, Dunne shows a keen and compassionate eye. The gap between parents and children is always there. I do understand the privacy and secrecy that children/adolescents might want to have, but i do believe that this must also have "a limit". Parents should be close to their child in "friendly" way, otherwise the former will never know what obstacles do face the later. and the later will never feel comfortable with sharing his "very personal life" with parents being harsh on him.
Sometimes you can learn how to build a bridge. It's going to take a lot of efforts, but it will avoid a lot of pain.
Throughout this novel, Dunne shows a keen and compassionate eye. The gap between parents and children is always there. I do understand the privacy and secrecy that children/adolescents might want to have, but i do believe that this must also have "a limit". Parents should be close to their child in "friendly" way, otherwise the former will never know what obstacles do face the later. and the later will never feel comfortable with sharing his "very personal life" with parents being harsh on him.
Sometimes you can learn how to build a bridge. It's going to take a lot of efforts, but it will avoid a lot of pain.
November 21, 2014
Una storia con molte spine. Grandi dolori e grandi incompresioni nel seno di una famiglia allargata, ma anche solidarietà e amore.
Uno scambio fitto di emozioni e sentimenti profondi giocati sui gesti, sugli sguardi, sulle parole e soprattutto sui silenzi.
La Dunne riesce a cogliere con una sensibilità unica, a trecentosessanta gradi, ogni sfumatura e cenno della vita quotidiana, registrando con cura i grandi eventi come le piccole cose di ogni giorno.
Uno scambio fitto di emozioni e sentimenti profondi giocati sui gesti, sugli sguardi, sulle parole e soprattutto sui silenzi.
La Dunne riesce a cogliere con una sensibilità unica, a trecentosessanta gradi, ogni sfumatura e cenno della vita quotidiana, registrando con cura i grandi eventi come le piccole cose di ogni giorno.
November 14, 2017
DNF. I hated this book! I stopped reading halfway through because the characters were so one dimensional and annoying. I don't even know what the point was of the plot either. Simple writing and a lack of depth for the characters.
May 17, 2013
Patrick Grant è un lavoratore di successo, un uomo di mezza età amante della vita, e della sua famiglia; la moglie e la figlia stravedono per lui, eppure un Natale Patrick rischia di perdere tutto dopo l’ennesima scappatella extraconiugale. Pur avendo messo la testa a posto Patrick ha però perso la stima della figlia maggiore, Rebecca, incapace di perdonargli le sofferenze inflitte alla madre con i suoi continui tradimenti; gli anni passano e i rapporti tra i due si fanno sempre più tesi, fino ad interrompersi quasi totalmente alla morte della moglie. Sconvolto dal dolore Patrick sprofonda in una depressione nera e feroce che lo accompagna per tutte le ore del giorno e della notte, rendendolo insensibile al dolore che affligge le sue figlie; solo dopo parecchi mesi di terapia riuscirà ad uscirne, grazie all’aiuto di una persona che diventerà la colonna portante della sua nuova vita. Ma il destino sembra avere con la famiglia di Patrick un conto in sospeso, e tornerà a colpire il punto debole dell’uomo proprio quando pensava di poter essere di nuovo felice..
Attraverso la ricostruzione della vita del protagonista Catherine Dunne ci racconta le dinamiche di una famiglia comune, segnata da problemi quotidiani ma anche e soprattutto da rancori ormai antichi, covati talmente a lungo da rischiare di separare i vari membri per sempre. Alternando i punti di vista (anche se il principale rimane quello di Patrick) l’autrice prende come punto di partenza della narrazione una tragedia recente che ha segnato per sempre il protagonista; Patrick infatti si sofferma a riflettere sul suo passato per arrivare a capire come sia arrivato a quel momento tanto doloroso, dove possa aver sbagliato e quali segnali possa aver ignorato. Veniamo quindi a conoscere i vari componenti della famiglia, soprattutto Rebecca che ha sempre mantenuto il disprezzo per suo padre nonostante il passare degli anni; un aspetto molto importante è sicuramente l’evoluzione dei personaggi attraverso le varie vicende che segnano la famiglia, alcuni trovano conforto nello stare uniti mentre altri finiscono per isolarsi, innalzando un muro per difendere il proprio cuore da un dolore che non riescono più a sopportare. Eppure le dinamiche cambiano spesso, raccontando di rapporti in continuo cambiamento, non necessariamente positivo. Oltre ad essere un romanzo relativamente avvincente e toccante Quel che ora sappiamo denuncia anche un problema caratteristico degli ultimi anni, il cyber bullismo; l’autrice ce lo racconta attraverso occhi anziani e giovani, rendendo chiara anche la diversa percezione che di esso si può avere e denunciandolo su tutti i fronti.
Avevo già letto alcuni altri romanzi di quest’autrice, il suo stile mi piace e devo dire che anche in questo caso sono rimasta soddisfatta dalla lettura :)
Consigliato.
Attraverso la ricostruzione della vita del protagonista Catherine Dunne ci racconta le dinamiche di una famiglia comune, segnata da problemi quotidiani ma anche e soprattutto da rancori ormai antichi, covati talmente a lungo da rischiare di separare i vari membri per sempre. Alternando i punti di vista (anche se il principale rimane quello di Patrick) l’autrice prende come punto di partenza della narrazione una tragedia recente che ha segnato per sempre il protagonista; Patrick infatti si sofferma a riflettere sul suo passato per arrivare a capire come sia arrivato a quel momento tanto doloroso, dove possa aver sbagliato e quali segnali possa aver ignorato. Veniamo quindi a conoscere i vari componenti della famiglia, soprattutto Rebecca che ha sempre mantenuto il disprezzo per suo padre nonostante il passare degli anni; un aspetto molto importante è sicuramente l’evoluzione dei personaggi attraverso le varie vicende che segnano la famiglia, alcuni trovano conforto nello stare uniti mentre altri finiscono per isolarsi, innalzando un muro per difendere il proprio cuore da un dolore che non riescono più a sopportare. Eppure le dinamiche cambiano spesso, raccontando di rapporti in continuo cambiamento, non necessariamente positivo. Oltre ad essere un romanzo relativamente avvincente e toccante Quel che ora sappiamo denuncia anche un problema caratteristico degli ultimi anni, il cyber bullismo; l’autrice ce lo racconta attraverso occhi anziani e giovani, rendendo chiara anche la diversa percezione che di esso si può avere e denunciandolo su tutti i fronti.
Avevo già letto alcuni altri romanzi di quest’autrice, il suo stile mi piace e devo dire che anche in questo caso sono rimasta soddisfatta dalla lettura :)
Consigliato.
August 10, 2014
Four stars because Goodreads won't let me do three and a half, and I did enjoy the novel.
The first thing to say about this recent work by the accomplished and prolific Irish novelist Catherine Dunne is that it probably should carry some warnings. It engages with the sensitive and difficult subject of bullying and suicidal ideation. It also deals with family conflict. Patrick Grant is a second-time-around father with his much younger wife Ella, formerly his therapist, and Rebecca, his eldest daughter by his deceased first wife, is more than a little put out by the fact. There has been a growing estrangement between both Rebecca and her sisters and between her and her father, which dates from a row between her parents which Rebecca witnessed at the age of four. Though it is presented to the reader that this event fashioned such a long falling-out, a premise I find rather difficult to credit, the character herself is believable.
Then we move on to the youngest sibling, Patrick and Ella’s son Daniel. To be honest, I found him a bit too good to be true: talented, sensitive, artistic, a prodigy on the violin and an accomplished artist before his teens. I began to wish he’d go on the rampage after several cans of cider, trash the house and call his mother a beeyotch, just for a bit of variety. But Dunne has built up this portrait quite deliberately so we can see what it is that Patrick and Ella lose after Daniel commits suicide (not a spoiler – this is the first event in the book) and the portrait of their grief which she paints is devastating. The chapters in the aftermath of Daniel’s suicide are very moving and distressing. I should say at this stage, I was utterly gripped by the book and finished it at one session – apart from the Daniel bits.
My problems with it are that structurally, I don’t really see how the Rebecca story and the Daniel story integrate. It’s like two different novels being stuck together. The bit in the middle where we were being told how wonderful Daniel was was frankly tedious (I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Let the reader infer.) The story got hella more interesting after Daniel exited stage left and I think Dunne could have expanded on the quest of his parents to find out the truth. One of the main antagonists turns out to be a relative of a man from Ella’s past, but we never get to find out why the connection is significant or what difference it makes to the story – it’s just dropped in and forgotten about again.
So – I was hooked and it was well written, but as a reader I do have some questions.
The first thing to say about this recent work by the accomplished and prolific Irish novelist Catherine Dunne is that it probably should carry some warnings. It engages with the sensitive and difficult subject of bullying and suicidal ideation. It also deals with family conflict. Patrick Grant is a second-time-around father with his much younger wife Ella, formerly his therapist, and Rebecca, his eldest daughter by his deceased first wife, is more than a little put out by the fact. There has been a growing estrangement between both Rebecca and her sisters and between her and her father, which dates from a row between her parents which Rebecca witnessed at the age of four. Though it is presented to the reader that this event fashioned such a long falling-out, a premise I find rather difficult to credit, the character herself is believable.
Then we move on to the youngest sibling, Patrick and Ella’s son Daniel. To be honest, I found him a bit too good to be true: talented, sensitive, artistic, a prodigy on the violin and an accomplished artist before his teens. I began to wish he’d go on the rampage after several cans of cider, trash the house and call his mother a beeyotch, just for a bit of variety. But Dunne has built up this portrait quite deliberately so we can see what it is that Patrick and Ella lose after Daniel commits suicide (not a spoiler – this is the first event in the book) and the portrait of their grief which she paints is devastating. The chapters in the aftermath of Daniel’s suicide are very moving and distressing. I should say at this stage, I was utterly gripped by the book and finished it at one session – apart from the Daniel bits.
My problems with it are that structurally, I don’t really see how the Rebecca story and the Daniel story integrate. It’s like two different novels being stuck together. The bit in the middle where we were being told how wonderful Daniel was was frankly tedious (I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Let the reader infer.) The story got hella more interesting after Daniel exited stage left and I think Dunne could have expanded on the quest of his parents to find out the truth. One of the main antagonists turns out to be a relative of a man from Ella’s past, but we never get to find out why the connection is significant or what difference it makes to the story – it’s just dropped in and forgotten about again.
So – I was hooked and it was well written, but as a reader I do have some questions.
September 18, 2017
Indecente, anzi osceno.
L'autrice non ci risparmia niente delle pieghe più recondite di uno degli avvenimenti probabilmente più dorolosi che possono accadere ad un genitore (il suicidio di un figlio), descrivendo quasi con compiacimento l'avvicinarsi della tragedia e poi lo sfaldarsi dell'anima.
Con l'aggravante di tutto il contorno narrativo: un padre vedovo (Patrick) egoista e narcisista che dopo la morte della prima moglie va alla deriva fino all'incontro con la seconda (Ella la psicoteraupeta così brava che non capisce che il figlio Daniel è vittima di bullismo e autolesionista); una figlia maggiore Rebecca egoista e narcisista quanto il padre (infatti litigano e si odiano per 3/4 del libro); due figlie gemelle generose e sempre disponibili.
In mezzo a tutto questo c'è il povero Daniel che si impicca a 14 anni perchè vittima di cyberbullismo senza che nessuno se ne accorga.
Daniel è proprio il personaggio più assurdo: violinista provetto, pittore in erba, fotografo meraviglioso, sensibile e attento, pure bello .... possibile che neanche una ricerca su internet su come denunciare i bulli abbia sfiorato la sua mente? possibile che il suo amico Edward non si sia accorto di niente (visto che i bulletti mandavano sms a tutta la scuola)?
Mah, indecente e osceno perchè usa il dolore per suscitare la spontanea empatia del lettore (e farlo sorvolare sul contenuto letterario, povero in modo imbarazzante).
L'autrice non ci risparmia niente delle pieghe più recondite di uno degli avvenimenti probabilmente più dorolosi che possono accadere ad un genitore (il suicidio di un figlio), descrivendo quasi con compiacimento l'avvicinarsi della tragedia e poi lo sfaldarsi dell'anima.
Con l'aggravante di tutto il contorno narrativo: un padre vedovo (Patrick) egoista e narcisista che dopo la morte della prima moglie va alla deriva fino all'incontro con la seconda (Ella la psicoteraupeta così brava che non capisce che il figlio Daniel è vittima di bullismo e autolesionista); una figlia maggiore Rebecca egoista e narcisista quanto il padre (infatti litigano e si odiano per 3/4 del libro); due figlie gemelle generose e sempre disponibili.
In mezzo a tutto questo c'è il povero Daniel che si impicca a 14 anni perchè vittima di cyberbullismo senza che nessuno se ne accorga.
Daniel è proprio il personaggio più assurdo: violinista provetto, pittore in erba, fotografo meraviglioso, sensibile e attento, pure bello .... possibile che neanche una ricerca su internet su come denunciare i bulli abbia sfiorato la sua mente? possibile che il suo amico Edward non si sia accorto di niente (visto che i bulletti mandavano sms a tutta la scuola)?
Mah, indecente e osceno perchè usa il dolore per suscitare la spontanea empatia del lettore (e farlo sorvolare sul contenuto letterario, povero in modo imbarazzante).
December 17, 2020
I love only the first half of it. Lovely writing, clear and vivid. Still, the second half was predictable and dull. I got bored near the end.
.
The story revolves around Patrick, a widower with 3 daughters who married a younger woman and had a son. A second shot at fatherhood, simply put. He has never been a perfect husband or father and his eldest daughter dislikes him due to his past cheating. That's the first half of the story which I enjoyed immensely. Rebecca the daughter was volatile and difficult, Patrick the father was whiny and entitled. The conflicts were glaringly obvious. The second half is about Patrick's teenage son, Daniel who committed suicide due to the intense bullying he faced in school.
.
I was not as compelled here as I found the plot already too familiar and predictable. He loved his parents but going to school was difficult. After his suicide, his parents had to work hard to discover the truth. Basically, I rushed the last 100 pages. I kinda hoped that his suicide had something to do with the overall dynamics of the family. The novel feels like two separate novellas - the first one is on the eldest and the second one on the son. Structurally flawed, I must say.
.
Not the best of Irish fiction. However, I love how Catherine Dunne writes. Simple and with multiple narratives. I wanted the story to be more exciting and to blow me away. It did not. Recommended if you are into family fiction.
.
The story revolves around Patrick, a widower with 3 daughters who married a younger woman and had a son. A second shot at fatherhood, simply put. He has never been a perfect husband or father and his eldest daughter dislikes him due to his past cheating. That's the first half of the story which I enjoyed immensely. Rebecca the daughter was volatile and difficult, Patrick the father was whiny and entitled. The conflicts were glaringly obvious. The second half is about Patrick's teenage son, Daniel who committed suicide due to the intense bullying he faced in school.
.
I was not as compelled here as I found the plot already too familiar and predictable. He loved his parents but going to school was difficult. After his suicide, his parents had to work hard to discover the truth. Basically, I rushed the last 100 pages. I kinda hoped that his suicide had something to do with the overall dynamics of the family. The novel feels like two separate novellas - the first one is on the eldest and the second one on the son. Structurally flawed, I must say.
.
Not the best of Irish fiction. However, I love how Catherine Dunne writes. Simple and with multiple narratives. I wanted the story to be more exciting and to blow me away. It did not. Recommended if you are into family fiction.
May 28, 2013
Heartbreaking but amazingly excellent.
Catherine has told a beautiful and tragic story in a sensitive and honest way!
Catherine has told a beautiful and tragic story in a sensitive and honest way!
December 12, 2018
Quello che parte come una sorta di diario dei protagonisti di questa storia, le vicende della loro vita narrate da diversi punti di vista come una sorta di seduta psicanalitica, diventa poi un vero giallo sui motivi che hanno spinto Daniel, un quattordicenne sensibile, pieno di talenti e, apparentemente, perfetto a suicidarsi.
Patrick, il padre quasi settantenne, è il narratore principale, e il suo racconto non è certo affidabile, così come non lo è quello della figlia del primo matrimonio, Rebecca, una donna piena di rancori - non che non ne abbia motivo, ma che comunque le hanno fatto sviluppare un carattere duro e intransigente.
Solo quattro stelle perché non ho apprezzato troppo il fatto che le vicende non avessero una sequenza temporale precisa e venissero a volte ripetute - ma questo è anche comprensibile, visto che si tratta davvero di una sorta di raccolta delle testimonianze prima, durante e dopo - e anche il fatto che uno dei narratori sia lo stesso Daniel. È vero che le parti narrate da lui servano a inquadrare meglio la storia una volta che si sa cosa lo abbia spinto a quella mossa, però lui ormai è morto... Avrebbe avuto più senso se queste parti fossero sbucate fuori alla fine tramite un diario o una lettera. Comunque un tema quanto mai scottante.
Patrick, il padre quasi settantenne, è il narratore principale, e il suo racconto non è certo affidabile, così come non lo è quello della figlia del primo matrimonio, Rebecca, una donna piena di rancori - non che non ne abbia motivo, ma che comunque le hanno fatto sviluppare un carattere duro e intransigente.
Solo quattro stelle perché non ho apprezzato troppo il fatto che le vicende non avessero una sequenza temporale precisa e venissero a volte ripetute - ma questo è anche comprensibile, visto che si tratta davvero di una sorta di raccolta delle testimonianze prima, durante e dopo - e anche il fatto che uno dei narratori sia lo stesso Daniel. È vero che le parti narrate da lui servano a inquadrare meglio la storia una volta che si sa cosa lo abbia spinto a quella mossa, però lui ormai è morto... Avrebbe avuto più senso se queste parti fossero sbucate fuori alla fine tramite un diario o una lettera. Comunque un tema quanto mai scottante.
May 1, 2021
I read this book by Catherine Dunne while on a weekend getaway to the British seaside. Much of the time, I was curled under a blanket to keep the wind of the channel at bay. This novel warmed my heart. I've been so busy working and celebrating my own novel, I hadn't had much time to read for pleasure as I usually do.
Her book pulled me in.
I found it refreshing to read a novel from a man's point of view written by a woman. So often in history, it has been the other way around. The book pulls at your heart and makes you take another look at everything around you. As the mother of a teenage daughter, it was a warning to look closer.
We go through each day without really appreciating the significance of every moment, every unspoken sentence, every glance. After reading The Things We Know Now, I have a new appreciation for life and its preciousness and imperfection.
Her book pulled me in.
I found it refreshing to read a novel from a man's point of view written by a woman. So often in history, it has been the other way around. The book pulls at your heart and makes you take another look at everything around you. As the mother of a teenage daughter, it was a warning to look closer.
We go through each day without really appreciating the significance of every moment, every unspoken sentence, every glance. After reading The Things We Know Now, I have a new appreciation for life and its preciousness and imperfection.
May 28, 2018
Ella e Patrick, una copia, due genitori e il loro dover prendere atto di aver perso un figlio, il loro unico figlio Daniel. Tenteranno poi di ricostruire i fatti, gli avvenimenti, ritrovare tracce per poter magari darsi una risposta. Davanti a loro si aprirà uno scenario, una realtà a loro sconosciuta, che mai si sarebbero immaginati. Catherine Dunne è riuscita con la sua scrittura a catturarmi e a mettermi nella giusta tensione, portandomi a un crescendo che mi ha tenuta incollata e invoglia nel voler proseguire con la lettura. I fatti narrati mi hanno più volte commossa, mi hanno tolto il fiato, non possono lasciare un genitore indifferente. Libro attualissimo per la tematica trattata…
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June 13, 2017Really loved this book. A story presented through the eyes of different members of the family.
This book illustrated how a person's perspective can influence their whole life. A lesson to us all to step in another's shoes.
Highly recommend.
This book illustrated how a person's perspective can influence their whole life. A lesson to us all to step in another's shoes.
Highly recommend.
July 21, 2019
Catherine Dunne handles the delicate subject of a young man's suicide with deftness and great sensitivity. A poignant and beautiful read.
December 6, 2021
Il libro è ben scritto e si legge molto bene.
Mi è anche piaciuta l'idea che in ogni capitolo parli in prima persona un protagonista diverso, fornendo il proprio punto di visto sulle vicende narrate.
La storia è bella, ma anche molto particolare, triste e toccante, quindi consiglio a chi si appresta a leggerla di "predisporsi con il giusto" spirito (non è una commedia o un libro rosa.......).
Al libro va anche dato il merito di affrontare in modo "impattante" la tematica del "bullismo" tra i giovani attraverso internet e i social network.
Mi è anche piaciuta l'idea che in ogni capitolo parli in prima persona un protagonista diverso, fornendo il proprio punto di visto sulle vicende narrate.
La storia è bella, ma anche molto particolare, triste e toccante, quindi consiglio a chi si appresta a leggerla di "predisporsi con il giusto" spirito (non è una commedia o un libro rosa.......).
Al libro va anche dato il merito di affrontare in modo "impattante" la tematica del "bullismo" tra i giovani attraverso internet e i social network.
April 5, 2023
Mai per un momento i personaggi di questo romanzo collettivo sono credibili, non ti affezioni a loro, sono pieni di stereotipi e si esprimono come libri stampati. La vicenda è stiracchiata all’inverosimile e non sfiora neanche per un istante quello che sarebbe invece interessante: le radici del male
July 19, 2016
Wonderful. Haunting. Disturbing, Gripping. A parent's worst nightmare.
It's been a few years since a book made me cry.
Highly recommended.
It's been a few years since a book made me cry.
Highly recommended.
January 30, 2015
Beautiful, heart breaking, an exploration into disjointed and complex family lives.
October 29, 2023
Venivo da un periodo di letture deludenti e questo libro, che ho letteralmente adorato, mi ha fatto riacquistare fiducia nella letteratura. Questi sono i romanzi che ti fanno capire che stai investendo bene il tempo che utilizzi per leggerli e che non è il caso di portare a termine libri che, invece, non si rivelano all'altezza perché non si può sprecare tempo con la fuffa quando ci sono in circolazione opere del genere.
In questo romanzo si parla di una famiglia che si trova ad affrontare delle gravi problematiche.
I rapporti fra i vari membri sono scandagliati con una precisione chirurgica, senza lasciare nulla di indefinito. Ci sono allontanamenti fatti di risentimenti, incomprensioni e ostilità e poi ci sono riavvicinamenti dovuti al cambiare delle situazioni che portano a maturare e a cambiare prospettive.
I capitoli alternano le voci delle persone che compongono questa famiglia: Patrick (il padre), Ella (la seconda moglie di Patrick), Rebecca (la primogenita di Patrick), Frances e Sophie (gemelle figlie di Patrick) e Daniel (figlio di Patrick ed Ella).
A loro si aggiungono poi le voci di altri personaggi che in qualche modo hanno un ruolo significativo nelle vicende della famiglia.
Di questo romanzo mi ha colpito prima di tutto lo spessore psicologico di ogni singolo personaggio: non ce n'è uno che non risulti credibile o che sia poco definito.
Ognuno di loro ha un'evoluzione nel corso della storia ed evolve con lo svolgersi degli eventi.
Le dinamiche relazionali sono descritte in modo preciso e puntuale, sia quando i rapporti sono semplici e amichevoli, sia, soprattutto, quando non lo sono.
All'interno di una famiglia può capitare che ci siano delle ostilità fra alcuni membri e chi si ritrova in mezzo è nella posizione di dover mediare, mantenendo i rapporti con entrambe le parti in disaccordo. Non è semplice e la serenità di tutti viene inevitabilmente compromessa. Bisogna costantemente ridefinire il precario equilibrio e cercare di agevolare la comunicazione un po' come cercano di fare Frances e Sophie in questo romanzo.
Ad un certo punto accade una tragedia talmente devastante da cambiare completamente le prospettive. Improvvisamente ciò che appariva importante passa in secondo piano e si fa fronte comune per sostenersi a vicenda.
Le tematiche di questo romanzo sono molto attuali e trattano l'elaborazione del lutto, la diversità, il bullismo e la difficoltà di comprendere il malessere di chi ci sta accanto.
Con questa lettura Dunne entra di diritto nella lista dei miei scrittori preferiti.
In questo romanzo si parla di una famiglia che si trova ad affrontare delle gravi problematiche.
I rapporti fra i vari membri sono scandagliati con una precisione chirurgica, senza lasciare nulla di indefinito. Ci sono allontanamenti fatti di risentimenti, incomprensioni e ostilità e poi ci sono riavvicinamenti dovuti al cambiare delle situazioni che portano a maturare e a cambiare prospettive.
I capitoli alternano le voci delle persone che compongono questa famiglia: Patrick (il padre), Ella (la seconda moglie di Patrick), Rebecca (la primogenita di Patrick), Frances e Sophie (gemelle figlie di Patrick) e Daniel (figlio di Patrick ed Ella).
A loro si aggiungono poi le voci di altri personaggi che in qualche modo hanno un ruolo significativo nelle vicende della famiglia.
Di questo romanzo mi ha colpito prima di tutto lo spessore psicologico di ogni singolo personaggio: non ce n'è uno che non risulti credibile o che sia poco definito.
Ognuno di loro ha un'evoluzione nel corso della storia ed evolve con lo svolgersi degli eventi.
Le dinamiche relazionali sono descritte in modo preciso e puntuale, sia quando i rapporti sono semplici e amichevoli, sia, soprattutto, quando non lo sono.
All'interno di una famiglia può capitare che ci siano delle ostilità fra alcuni membri e chi si ritrova in mezzo è nella posizione di dover mediare, mantenendo i rapporti con entrambe le parti in disaccordo. Non è semplice e la serenità di tutti viene inevitabilmente compromessa. Bisogna costantemente ridefinire il precario equilibrio e cercare di agevolare la comunicazione un po' come cercano di fare Frances e Sophie in questo romanzo.
Ad un certo punto accade una tragedia talmente devastante da cambiare completamente le prospettive. Improvvisamente ciò che appariva importante passa in secondo piano e si fa fronte comune per sostenersi a vicenda.
Le tematiche di questo romanzo sono molto attuali e trattano l'elaborazione del lutto, la diversità, il bullismo e la difficoltà di comprendere il malessere di chi ci sta accanto.
Con questa lettura Dunne entra di diritto nella lista dei miei scrittori preferiti.
March 9, 2017
This is the first book by Catherine Dunne I read and it was very enjoyable. Her writing is very nice, not overworked and not forced but carrying just the amount of sophistication to convey emotions, feelings and simply tell stories in a wonderful way. I like powerful writing and Ms Dunne got that just right for my taste.
The story told is of a family, a bit unusual for Irish reality maybe, patchwork of tangled lives. Ms Dunne told the story from the perspective of a great no of characters, making it very insightful and helping to understand the 'state of emotions' and feelings between the different persons. She has done it very well, getting into the minds and hearts of the storytellers and therefore making it all the more credible. It really read like a true story, a biography of a sort.
The story revolves around a death of a child, Daniel, a golden boy, talented and sensitive, who takes his life at the age of 14. The topic is an important one, absolutely up to date and a bit terrifying, making you realise how much we omit because we refuse to see and listen, involuntarily, living in the belief that our love, care, support and devotion can shield our children from all the bad of the world. No, it can't. As someone sometime had said: when the children are young, you 'ban the bad guys' from their lives; as they grow older, you can only ban them from your home. Nothing more true.
There were some parts of the book I was disappointed with. Some events thrown in without much further development, leaving you asking yourself 'why was that important'? The most disappointing was probably the unfolding of Daniel's story. A bit of an anti-climax. I was expecting something 'big' to be revealed still as the book was nearing the end. But it did not; instead, many new characters were brought in to confirm the same story, but bringing little in addition. They were too many of them and they all delivered the same - or pretty much the same- information. So as I was turning pages I was expecting to be shocked each time, with something horrifying, some culminative event, the drop that made the glass overflow. But it didn't come. You could say that the book was ending over a third of its length, in a plateau, process-like fashion. No boom.
The story told is of a family, a bit unusual for Irish reality maybe, patchwork of tangled lives. Ms Dunne told the story from the perspective of a great no of characters, making it very insightful and helping to understand the 'state of emotions' and feelings between the different persons. She has done it very well, getting into the minds and hearts of the storytellers and therefore making it all the more credible. It really read like a true story, a biography of a sort.
The story revolves around a death of a child, Daniel, a golden boy, talented and sensitive, who takes his life at the age of 14. The topic is an important one, absolutely up to date and a bit terrifying, making you realise how much we omit because we refuse to see and listen, involuntarily, living in the belief that our love, care, support and devotion can shield our children from all the bad of the world. No, it can't. As someone sometime had said: when the children are young, you 'ban the bad guys' from their lives; as they grow older, you can only ban them from your home. Nothing more true.
There were some parts of the book I was disappointed with. Some events thrown in without much further development, leaving you asking yourself 'why was that important'? The most disappointing was probably the unfolding of Daniel's story. A bit of an anti-climax. I was expecting something 'big' to be revealed still as the book was nearing the end. But it did not; instead, many new characters were brought in to confirm the same story, but bringing little in addition. They were too many of them and they all delivered the same - or pretty much the same- information. So as I was turning pages I was expecting to be shocked each time, with something horrifying, some culminative event, the drop that made the glass overflow. But it didn't come. You could say that the book was ending over a third of its length, in a plateau, process-like fashion. No boom.
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January 14, 2024Olen ostanut lukuisia kirjoja hetken mielijohteesta, kuten vaikka juuri tämän Catherine Dunnen The Things We Know Now. Veikkaan, että syy ostaa tämä kirja on ollut etukannessa oleva maininta, että kirja on voittanut Giovanni Boccaccio -palkinnon. Ollakseni rehellinen en kyllä edes tiedä, mikä kyseinen kirjallisuuspalkinto on.
Jos Dunnen romaani suomennettaisiin uskon, että se viehättäisi monia. Keskiössä on perhesiteet, joita Dunne kuvaa taitavasti eri romaanihenkilöiden näkökulman kautta. Heti teoksen alussa kuvataan, miten Patrick ja Ella löytävät 14-vuotiaan poikansa Danielin hirttäytyneenä. Teoksen jännite rakentuu tästä tragediasta käsin. Teon motiiveihin palataan vasta teoksen loppupuolella, kun taas sen alkupuolella pinnalla ovat erityisesti Patrickin ja hänen ensimmäisestä avioliitosta olevien tyttäriensä väliset suhteet ja konfliktit.
Dunnen romaani on kirjoitettu Patrickin muistelmina. Teoksen alussa on Patrickin 74-vuotissyntymäpäivä ja hänen syntymäpäiväänsä teos myös päättyy.
The Things We Know Now on tarina anteeksiannosta, joka on mahdollinen vasta perheen kokeman järkyttävän tapahtuman jälkeen. Se muistuttaa myös, että emme välttämättä tiedä mitä edes läheisimpien ihmistemme elämässä tapahtuu.
Jos pidät Anne Tylerin romaaneista, pitäisit varmaan myös Dunnen kirjasta.
Jos Dunnen romaani suomennettaisiin uskon, että se viehättäisi monia. Keskiössä on perhesiteet, joita Dunne kuvaa taitavasti eri romaanihenkilöiden näkökulman kautta. Heti teoksen alussa kuvataan, miten Patrick ja Ella löytävät 14-vuotiaan poikansa Danielin hirttäytyneenä. Teoksen jännite rakentuu tästä tragediasta käsin. Teon motiiveihin palataan vasta teoksen loppupuolella, kun taas sen alkupuolella pinnalla ovat erityisesti Patrickin ja hänen ensimmäisestä avioliitosta olevien tyttäriensä väliset suhteet ja konfliktit.
Dunnen romaani on kirjoitettu Patrickin muistelmina. Teoksen alussa on Patrickin 74-vuotissyntymäpäivä ja hänen syntymäpäiväänsä teos myös päättyy.
The Things We Know Now on tarina anteeksiannosta, joka on mahdollinen vasta perheen kokeman järkyttävän tapahtuman jälkeen. Se muistuttaa myös, että emme välttämättä tiedä mitä edes läheisimpien ihmistemme elämässä tapahtuu.
Jos pidät Anne Tylerin romaaneista, pitäisit varmaan myös Dunnen kirjasta.
August 23, 2022
Non è il primo libro che leggo di Catherine Dunne che mi lascia qualcosa dentro. Un groviglio di emozioni e tanti piccoli ritratti psicologici di discorsi interiori che i protagonisti regalano al lettore.
Perchè Quel che ora sappiamo quello è: un alternarsi di stream of consciousness con il quale l'autrice dà la parola a tutti i suoi caratteri. Il lettore non fa in tempo a comprendere il punto di vista di un personaggio - dargli torto o ragione, giudicarlo o comprenderlo - che la voce della controparte fornisce la sua spiegazione.
La Dunne ha la capacità di immergersi ed immergere. E, non da ultimo, farci immedesimare.
E quando si ritiene di aver capito quale sia il nocciolo della trama, si staglia quello vero, palpabile, moderno, di denuncia che fa da cornice e, al tempo spesso, protagonista presente/assente del romando: il #cyberbullismo.
Non è un libro che lascia indifferenti. Ma un gomitolo di riflessioni che va sciolto e poi riavvolto.
Perchè Quel che ora sappiamo quello è: un alternarsi di stream of consciousness con il quale l'autrice dà la parola a tutti i suoi caratteri. Il lettore non fa in tempo a comprendere il punto di vista di un personaggio - dargli torto o ragione, giudicarlo o comprenderlo - che la voce della controparte fornisce la sua spiegazione.
La Dunne ha la capacità di immergersi ed immergere. E, non da ultimo, farci immedesimare.
E quando si ritiene di aver capito quale sia il nocciolo della trama, si staglia quello vero, palpabile, moderno, di denuncia che fa da cornice e, al tempo spesso, protagonista presente/assente del romando: il #cyberbullismo.
Non è un libro che lascia indifferenti. Ma un gomitolo di riflessioni che va sciolto e poi riavvolto.
August 27, 2020
One of these books that I read by chance because it was there and I didn't know what to read next. A very serious and disturbing topic, but most of the time it's just people's observations, emotions, reflections and trying to come to terms with events and relationships. I found the various voices absolutely convincing and the book really had me hooked from the first page. It was touching and interesting and also really inspiring in terms of how short life is and what you really want to do with it and how you want react to others.
What I also liked is that the story is set in Ireland and you get some glimpses of upper middle class families living in MODERN Ireland that go beyond cold, wet and catholic.
What I also liked is that the story is set in Ireland and you get some glimpses of upper middle class families living in MODERN Ireland that go beyond cold, wet and catholic.
April 23, 2024
È un’autrice che non mi piace, ma ho voluto darle una seconda opportunità e ho fatto male. Ho proseguito una lettura prolissa e a tratti noiosa solo per sapere come si conclude la vicenda. Peccato che si chiude con un evento in cui si doveva tenere un annuncio che non viene fatto. Fine. Perciò, la lettura di questa tristissima storia non lascia nemmeno un insegnamento, non un senso, solo angoscia fine a se stessa. il mio consiglio è quello di evitarlo accuratamente, ne gioverà la vostra salute mentale.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2018
This was a book group read for me. I found the characters difficult to empathise with, especially Patrick, and when I realised what the subject matter was, my heart sank. That said, it was easier to read than I thought, despite my struggle to forgive some family members for their apparent failures.
July 13, 2020
9/40 libro preferito di un’amica Bellissimo. Se mi avesse anticipato l’argomento forse non l’avrei affrontato, per paura di soffrire. Ma il modo in cui il racconto si svolge, con tante voci, e senza l’amore per la truculenza che ultimamente trovo in tanti autori, ma con delicatezza e partecipazione. Sono commossa...
June 29, 2024
Questo romanzo mi ha travolta, mi ha fatto inorridire, mi ha stremata, mi ha letteralmente sconvolta. Catherine Dunne descrive nei minimi particolari le emozioni e i sentimenti di tutti i protagonisti di questa storia famigliare. Un libro da leggere, per adulti e per adolescenti, per insegnanti e per studenti.
January 5, 2025
A haunting tale of how a family grieve, all in their own right. The showing of the power of togetherness and the unseen forces of bullying.
It inspires appreciation of time spent together.
I think this book will haunt me with its raw pain and the fear a parent carries when it comes to technology and their child/children.
It inspires appreciation of time spent together.
I think this book will haunt me with its raw pain and the fear a parent carries when it comes to technology and their child/children.
March 8, 2020
A lovely book, a bit of a hard read at times with tears about what Daniel went through, but well worth it. This is about a blended family and the dynamics that can go with it. It is about cyber bullying and the utterly vile people that do it.
I highly recommend this book
I highly recommend this book
March 21, 2020
Come sempre la Dunne affronta temi importanti, legati alla violenza e ai soprusi. In questo libro racconta di bullismo. Una giovane e brillante vita viene spezzata dalla cattiveria sistematica di tre ragazzi. Ma purtroppo la scrittura non è coinvolgente anzi spesso banale.
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