Fionnuala’s review of The Heart in Winter > Likes and Comments
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There’s something mystic in finding a captivating book at an Airbnb, especially along a coast.
Gorgeous review Fionnuala! I have this in my huge TBR stack - will need to elevate its stack position now after reading this!
Jonfaith wrote: "There’s something mystic in finding a captivating book at an Airbnb, especially along a coast."
You've caught perfectly what I experienced, Jonfaith.
We had the same gull-reaction to our our summer reading Fionnuala! This sounds like a book I’d like to get my beak into 😊
Gayle wrote: "Gorgeous review Fionnuala! I have this in my huge TBR stack - will need to elevate its stack position now after reading this!"
Do, do, do, Gayle. Have you read other Kevin Barry books? City of Bohane and Beatlebone were very special. The others too. He's a very unique writer.
Ulysse wrote: "We had the same gull-reaction to our our summer reading Fionnuala! This sounds like a book I’d like to get my beak into 😊"
Snap, Ulysse. The kittiwakes where I was have an amazing cry. It's still echoing in my mind—as is the lonesome cry that is this book.
Fionnuala, this review was a gift; it transported me right to that coast and the joys of finding such a gem. I’d never heard of Kevin Barry!! And I loved this: “My books are never done holding hands.” 100 thank yous.
So glad to offer you a gift this morning, Alison. I suspect you'd like Kevin Barry but be ready for the wild places he'll take you.
Fionnuala - I actually picked up Beatlebone and City of Bohane at an op shop (thrift) just a few weeks ago, but yet to read any KB! Exciting to have your recommendations on them!
It is always such a special feeling when you read a book, raise the eyes from its page and do not realised where you are anymore for a few seconds. Glad you've got to Montana with Kevin Barry. I'ev heard about him of course but have not read him yet.
Also I can relate to the feeling of both reading and living surrounded by seagulls:)They are early risers unfortunately and wake me up in ungodly hours this summer:-) My window looks at the Channel, not quite open Atlantic, but still a ribbon of blue:-) Accidently I've just finished a book set at the West Coast of Ireland (county Mayo I believe). And the character there has had a cottage on the edge of a cliff looking towards the Atlantic. I wonder which part of the Atlantic you were looking at. A few weeks ago I was looking at the Bay of Biscay:-)
Wonderful review, Fionnuala 💚 I also find browsing books in holiday cottages irresistible, but unusual to get a gem like this.
Somehow finding books in the place where we are staying for a holiday always improves the place and the call of one of them rarely misses me, so I can entirely relate to the bliss you found between the covers of this novel, Fionnuala - and reading that line once more connecting you to the Iliad, wasn't that pure magic? (Besides, your Greek journey keeps on working magic too, sending me to see Marc Chagall's large wall mosaic on the Odyssee in the university of Nice). I'll add this of course, also because it seems to celebrate the art of letter-writing, which I adore.
I'm ready to be taken to some wild places, Fionnuala! All the better!
Gayle wrote: "Fionnuala - I actually picked up Beatlebone and City of Bohane at an op shop (thrift) just a few weeks ago, but yet to read any KB! Exciting to have your recommendations on them!"
Hope you gel with Kevin Barry's setups, Gayle. They are super original and creative.
Katia wrote: "It is always such a special feeling when you read a book, raise the eyes from its page and do not realised where you are anymore for a few seconds. Glad you've got to Montana with Kevin Barry..."
That's it, Katia. Transported!
The other KB books I've read were set in Ireland, except for one one set in Spain, Night Boat to Tangier, so it was a surprise to find this one was set in Montana in the 1890s. It was almost a western but with KB's own particular angle on that genre. His books all have unique angles but the writing is the thing. It's so well-honed, and always matches the particular theme he's playing about with. He's a very playful writer.
Your Channel view sounds perfect to me, gulls or no gulls! And the Bay of Biscay is very fine too.
The part of Ireland I was in when I read this book was County Clare—but County Mayo is especially dear to me. I'm curious now about the Mayo-based book you've just read...
Margo wrote: "Wonderful review, Fionnuala 💚 I also find browsing books in holiday cottages irresistible, but unusual to get a gem like this."
It's like being in a bookshop where all the books are free, Margo!
I took this one home with me—I'd ticked favourite passages in it anyway. And I told myself that the stack was in danger of toppling over and that I was helping it stay upright;-)
Such a clever review, Fionnuala. You brought to mind the thrill of discovery with the wonder of reading an excellent book.
Fionnuala wrote: "Katia wrote: "It is always such a special feeling when you read a book, raise the eyes from its page and do not realised where you are anymore for a few seconds. Glad you've got to Montana with Kev..."
The book I've just read is A Goat's Song, Fionnuala. All initial signs were it should not have worked for me: the one of the main characters is the writer with alcohol problem; a doomed relationship with the younger woman; (both are tired themes); a setting including a part in Northen Ireland as well as the mainland might have confused things for the reader like me without good knowledge of the context etc.. But oh God, it has worked for me! I am still not sure exactly how it happened and I am thinking about it:-) But the descriptions of the West Coast and the sea are indisputably stunning. In general it is a beautiful moving novel I think. It is written in the 90s.
For you there is a special connection also - the title:-) A word 'Tragedy' is literally 'he-goat's song' in Greek. The etymology is unclear. There are some versions. The author is offering his own very interesting one but the most likely untrue:-)) I know well that you've read quite a few 'goat's songs' recently. So you might like one more:-) Though I would not call this novel 'a tragedy', it is more elegiac than tragic. It is a very-very human book and beautify composed as well.
I haven’t read Kevin Barry, but after this review I feel as though I’ve already met him in the best possible way: half-hidden in a holiday-house book pile, waiting for the weather and the reader to be exactly right. Thank you, Fionnuala!
Ilse wrote: "Somehow finding books in the place where we are staying for a holiday always improves the place and the call of one of them rarely misses me, so I can entirely relate to the bliss you found between the covers of this novel, Fionnuala - and reading that line once more connecting you to the Iliad, wasn't that pure magic? (Besides, your Greek journey keeps on working magic too, sending me to see Marc Chagall's large wall mosaic on the Odyssee in the university of Nice)..."
I remember that you've written some gorgeous reviews about books you found in holiday houses, Ilse. There is something special about finding such treasures so unexpectedly.
And yes, that line about daylight going inky dark reminded me of the many lines in Homer about death darkening the light of a warrior's eyes as he fell in battle., eg, 'death's dark cloud closed down around him'. And KB's story becomes one of a chase after a wife who has run off with someone else exactly as the premise of the Iliad.
I'm glad you were inspired to go see Chagall's mosaic, Ilse. There's lots of Matisse in Nice too, isn't there? Enjoy it all!
An enticing and wonderfully written review. Books holding hands... I can't get this out of my head now. Also, your reading encounter at the shore of Atlantic Ocean reminded me I still haven't read "Night Boat to Tangier" bought ages ago.
Alison wrote: "I'm ready to be taken to some wild places, Fionnuala! All the better!"
Great to hear, Alison!
I loved this one too, Fionnuala! A sereptitious library find for me, because although I'd read and enjoyed Night Boat to Tangier, the plot of this didn't appeal on the surface. But the execution and writing--wonderful.
Daniel wrote: "Such a clever review, Fionnuala. You brought to mind the thrill of discovery with the wonder of reading an excellent book."
We readers just can't resist a pile of books anywhere anytime, can we, Daniel? Aren't we so privileged!
Lovely review, Fionnuala . I can’t resist .
Those belly images will be hard to shake off! 😂
Katia wrote: "The book I've just read is A Goat's Song, Fionnuala. All initial signs were it should not have worked for me: the one of the main characters is the writer with alcohol problem; a doomed relationship with the younger woman; (both are tired themes); a setting including a part in Northern Ireland as well as the mainland might have confused things for the reader like me without good knowledge of the context etc.. But oh God, it has worked for me! I am still not sure exactly how it happened and I am thinking about it..."
Aha! Dermot Healy! I read his Long Time, No See years ago and loved it. I've meant to read more of his books so I'll get to A Goat's Song for sure. How interesting that the etymology of the word tragedy goes back to the Greek word for a goat's song! The book will fit right into my Greek readathon!
Pia G. wrote: "I haven’t read Kevin Barry, but after this review I feel as though I’ve already met him in the best possible way: half-hidden in a holiday-house book pile, waiting for the weather and the reader to be exactly right..."
You've caught him well, Pia. In photos, he often looks like he's peeping out from somewhere dark and hidden—and his books probe dark and hidden places too...
Irena wrote: "An enticing and wonderfully written review. Books holding hands... I can't get this out of my head now. Also, your reading encounter at the shore of Atlantic Ocean reminded me I still haven't read "Night Boat to Tangier" bought ages ago..."
My books somehow reach across each other all the time to make connections that continue to surprise me, Irena.
Great you've got Night Boat. It takes a while to figure out what's going on but the two characters are very well drawn. I can still see them—and hear them—years later. They are from Cork city in Ireland and people from there have a very distinct lilt to their speech. KB caught it perfectly.
Your getaway seems like a dream and your lovely review lulled me into my own little dreamlike state, Fionnuala! I've not read Kevin Barry but I've been tempted to. Consider me extremely tempted now! Plus, I love the title of this one :)
A beautiful review, Fionnuala. What great luck coming upon such a perfect book in such an idyllic setting.
Sounds like a gem of a book, Fionnuala. Speaking of vacations, a few years back we stopped in Butte. Its mining history is all about the town, its downtown wears on its sleeve the past. Quite the stop. A great place for a novel!
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Jonfaith
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Jul 25, 2026 02:08AM
There’s something mystic in finding a captivating book at an Airbnb, especially along a coast.
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Gorgeous review Fionnuala! I have this in my huge TBR stack - will need to elevate its stack position now after reading this!
Jonfaith wrote: "There’s something mystic in finding a captivating book at an Airbnb, especially along a coast."You've caught perfectly what I experienced, Jonfaith.
We had the same gull-reaction to our our summer reading Fionnuala! This sounds like a book I’d like to get my beak into 😊
Gayle wrote: "Gorgeous review Fionnuala! I have this in my huge TBR stack - will need to elevate its stack position now after reading this!"Do, do, do, Gayle. Have you read other Kevin Barry books? City of Bohane and Beatlebone were very special. The others too. He's a very unique writer.
Ulysse wrote: "We had the same gull-reaction to our our summer reading Fionnuala! This sounds like a book I’d like to get my beak into 😊"Snap, Ulysse. The kittiwakes where I was have an amazing cry. It's still echoing in my mind—as is the lonesome cry that is this book.
Fionnuala, this review was a gift; it transported me right to that coast and the joys of finding such a gem. I’d never heard of Kevin Barry!! And I loved this: “My books are never done holding hands.” 100 thank yous.
So glad to offer you a gift this morning, Alison. I suspect you'd like Kevin Barry but be ready for the wild places he'll take you.
Fionnuala - I actually picked up Beatlebone and City of Bohane at an op shop (thrift) just a few weeks ago, but yet to read any KB! Exciting to have your recommendations on them!
It is always such a special feeling when you read a book, raise the eyes from its page and do not realised where you are anymore for a few seconds. Glad you've got to Montana with Kevin Barry. I'ev heard about him of course but have not read him yet. Also I can relate to the feeling of both reading and living surrounded by seagulls:)They are early risers unfortunately and wake me up in ungodly hours this summer:-) My window looks at the Channel, not quite open Atlantic, but still a ribbon of blue:-) Accidently I've just finished a book set at the West Coast of Ireland (county Mayo I believe). And the character there has had a cottage on the edge of a cliff looking towards the Atlantic. I wonder which part of the Atlantic you were looking at. A few weeks ago I was looking at the Bay of Biscay:-)
Wonderful review, Fionnuala 💚 I also find browsing books in holiday cottages irresistible, but unusual to get a gem like this.
Somehow finding books in the place where we are staying for a holiday always improves the place and the call of one of them rarely misses me, so I can entirely relate to the bliss you found between the covers of this novel, Fionnuala - and reading that line once more connecting you to the Iliad, wasn't that pure magic? (Besides, your Greek journey keeps on working magic too, sending me to see Marc Chagall's large wall mosaic on the Odyssee in the university of Nice). I'll add this of course, also because it seems to celebrate the art of letter-writing, which I adore.
I'm ready to be taken to some wild places, Fionnuala! All the better!
Gayle wrote: "Fionnuala - I actually picked up Beatlebone and City of Bohane at an op shop (thrift) just a few weeks ago, but yet to read any KB! Exciting to have your recommendations on them!"Hope you gel with Kevin Barry's setups, Gayle. They are super original and creative.
Katia wrote: "It is always such a special feeling when you read a book, raise the eyes from its page and do not realised where you are anymore for a few seconds. Glad you've got to Montana with Kevin Barry..."That's it, Katia. Transported!
The other KB books I've read were set in Ireland, except for one one set in Spain, Night Boat to Tangier, so it was a surprise to find this one was set in Montana in the 1890s. It was almost a western but with KB's own particular angle on that genre. His books all have unique angles but the writing is the thing. It's so well-honed, and always matches the particular theme he's playing about with. He's a very playful writer.
Your Channel view sounds perfect to me, gulls or no gulls! And the Bay of Biscay is very fine too.
The part of Ireland I was in when I read this book was County Clare—but County Mayo is especially dear to me. I'm curious now about the Mayo-based book you've just read...
Margo wrote: "Wonderful review, Fionnuala 💚 I also find browsing books in holiday cottages irresistible, but unusual to get a gem like this."It's like being in a bookshop where all the books are free, Margo!
I took this one home with me—I'd ticked favourite passages in it anyway. And I told myself that the stack was in danger of toppling over and that I was helping it stay upright;-)
Such a clever review, Fionnuala. You brought to mind the thrill of discovery with the wonder of reading an excellent book.
Fionnuala wrote: "Katia wrote: "It is always such a special feeling when you read a book, raise the eyes from its page and do not realised where you are anymore for a few seconds. Glad you've got to Montana with Kev..."The book I've just read is A Goat's Song, Fionnuala. All initial signs were it should not have worked for me: the one of the main characters is the writer with alcohol problem; a doomed relationship with the younger woman; (both are tired themes); a setting including a part in Northen Ireland as well as the mainland might have confused things for the reader like me without good knowledge of the context etc.. But oh God, it has worked for me! I am still not sure exactly how it happened and I am thinking about it:-) But the descriptions of the West Coast and the sea are indisputably stunning. In general it is a beautiful moving novel I think. It is written in the 90s.
For you there is a special connection also - the title:-) A word 'Tragedy' is literally 'he-goat's song' in Greek. The etymology is unclear. There are some versions. The author is offering his own very interesting one but the most likely untrue:-)) I know well that you've read quite a few 'goat's songs' recently. So you might like one more:-) Though I would not call this novel 'a tragedy', it is more elegiac than tragic. It is a very-very human book and beautify composed as well.
I haven’t read Kevin Barry, but after this review I feel as though I’ve already met him in the best possible way: half-hidden in a holiday-house book pile, waiting for the weather and the reader to be exactly right. Thank you, Fionnuala!
Ilse wrote: "Somehow finding books in the place where we are staying for a holiday always improves the place and the call of one of them rarely misses me, so I can entirely relate to the bliss you found between the covers of this novel, Fionnuala - and reading that line once more connecting you to the Iliad, wasn't that pure magic? (Besides, your Greek journey keeps on working magic too, sending me to see Marc Chagall's large wall mosaic on the Odyssee in the university of Nice)..."I remember that you've written some gorgeous reviews about books you found in holiday houses, Ilse. There is something special about finding such treasures so unexpectedly.
And yes, that line about daylight going inky dark reminded me of the many lines in Homer about death darkening the light of a warrior's eyes as he fell in battle., eg, 'death's dark cloud closed down around him'. And KB's story becomes one of a chase after a wife who has run off with someone else exactly as the premise of the Iliad.
I'm glad you were inspired to go see Chagall's mosaic, Ilse. There's lots of Matisse in Nice too, isn't there? Enjoy it all!
An enticing and wonderfully written review. Books holding hands... I can't get this out of my head now. Also, your reading encounter at the shore of Atlantic Ocean reminded me I still haven't read "Night Boat to Tangier" bought ages ago.
Alison wrote: "I'm ready to be taken to some wild places, Fionnuala! All the better!"Great to hear, Alison!
I loved this one too, Fionnuala! A sereptitious library find for me, because although I'd read and enjoyed Night Boat to Tangier, the plot of this didn't appeal on the surface. But the execution and writing--wonderful.
Daniel wrote: "Such a clever review, Fionnuala. You brought to mind the thrill of discovery with the wonder of reading an excellent book."We readers just can't resist a pile of books anywhere anytime, can we, Daniel? Aren't we so privileged!
Lovely review, Fionnuala . I can’t resist .
Those belly images will be hard to shake off! 😂
Katia wrote: "The book I've just read is A Goat's Song, Fionnuala. All initial signs were it should not have worked for me: the one of the main characters is the writer with alcohol problem; a doomed relationship with the younger woman; (both are tired themes); a setting including a part in Northern Ireland as well as the mainland might have confused things for the reader like me without good knowledge of the context etc.. But oh God, it has worked for me! I am still not sure exactly how it happened and I am thinking about it..."Aha! Dermot Healy! I read his Long Time, No See years ago and loved it. I've meant to read more of his books so I'll get to A Goat's Song for sure. How interesting that the etymology of the word tragedy goes back to the Greek word for a goat's song! The book will fit right into my Greek readathon!
Pia G. wrote: "I haven’t read Kevin Barry, but after this review I feel as though I’ve already met him in the best possible way: half-hidden in a holiday-house book pile, waiting for the weather and the reader to be exactly right..."You've caught him well, Pia. In photos, he often looks like he's peeping out from somewhere dark and hidden—and his books probe dark and hidden places too...
Irena wrote: "An enticing and wonderfully written review. Books holding hands... I can't get this out of my head now. Also, your reading encounter at the shore of Atlantic Ocean reminded me I still haven't read "Night Boat to Tangier" bought ages ago..."My books somehow reach across each other all the time to make connections that continue to surprise me, Irena.
Great you've got Night Boat. It takes a while to figure out what's going on but the two characters are very well drawn. I can still see them—and hear them—years later. They are from Cork city in Ireland and people from there have a very distinct lilt to their speech. KB caught it perfectly.
Your getaway seems like a dream and your lovely review lulled me into my own little dreamlike state, Fionnuala! I've not read Kevin Barry but I've been tempted to. Consider me extremely tempted now! Plus, I love the title of this one :)
A beautiful review, Fionnuala. What great luck coming upon such a perfect book in such an idyllic setting.
Sounds like a gem of a book, Fionnuala. Speaking of vacations, a few years back we stopped in Butte. Its mining history is all about the town, its downtown wears on its sleeve the past. Quite the stop. A great place for a novel!