Hellstown

by Margaret Ferguson

"Hellstown... a touching and, at times, brutal story of one woman's struggle for happiness."

Mary Flint is trapped in a loveless marriage. Her only solace is to relive the past, the past she shared with her beloved father and first love, Luke. But a sudden tragedy presents her with a second chance and the opportunity for hope. But will it be powerful enough to enable Mary and her three young sons to escape the tyranny of Jacob Flint?

124 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2014

Reviews

[Leif Bodnarchuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hellstown is a novella set in Northern Irish village life in (I think) the 1940s or 50s. I like that its timeframe didn't seem obvious. From the third-person narrative, rich with colloquialisms, some snappy descriptions, and convincing historical settings, you get a clear sense of a family struggling to make ends meet, but also a sense of togetherness. That is, until you meet the violent-tempered Flint, Mary's husband, and all-round cheapskate bastard.

I'll admit the whole story wasn't really for me but as they say, that's just me. There should be plenty of people who'll enjoy Hellstown. Mary Flint is a strong character, and her kids are a bundle of energy and mischief. The narrative flips between present and past, with skill enough to set the reader comfortably within each time. Author Margaret Ferguson's Northern Irish idiolect shines through, lending authenticity to both the characters and their environment.