Oakville Reads discussion

The novel has a unique atmosphere: spooky, menacing, and even harrowing. What makes for the sinister tone that pervades the novel?

There is something about the dreariness of the Irish countryside, described as damp and dark, that sets the tone for something sinister. The landscape seemed a character in and of itself, and just as untrustworthy as all of the people surrounding the mystery of this little girl's 'miraculous' fast.

I agree with Emily, the Irish Countryside is such an important element in creating the atmosphere of the novel. I constantly imagined a grey sky, with heavy fogs or mists, with a cold wind. There was a passage when Lib takes a walk, and falls into a hole. It may be a different passage, but she also comes a cross a path to nowhere. The environment seemed as secretive and dangerous as the family she lives with. Lib is also an important element to the atmosphere of the novel - we are seeing the town through her eyes. We meet Ireland through Lib, and she is decidedly contrary. The mission she has been sent on is mysterious and imposing, and she may apply that tone onto the description of the environment.

Just 25 pages into it, but her description of Ireland is so detailed that I can imagine being there. You can also tell how low Lib's opinion of it is, as England is considered to be so far above it. You can tell how much the author loves Ireland when she speaks, and she must have done a ton of research into this time period.

Everything just seems so dreary in this book. Lib is in a solemn occupation, has been given a serious assignment, and Anna herself is a very serious child so I think just how serious everything along with the grim environment just makes it that much more dark and dreary.

Dana wrote: "Just 25 pages into it, but her description of Ireland is so detailed that I can imagine being there. You can also tell how low Lib's opinion of it is, as England is considered to be so far above it..."

Emma Donoghue is an Irish-Canadian author! She actually was born and grew up in Dublin Ireland, and only moved to Canada when she was 29 years old. However she did attend university in England. I am sure she did a lot of historical research, however I bet she also had a personal sense of Ireland too!

Ashley wrote: "Dana wrote: "Just 25 pages into it, but her description of Ireland is so detailed that I can imagine being there. You can also tell how low Lib's opinion of it is, as England is considered to be so..."

Thanks, Dana, for the biographical information. I do think Donoghue has a great mind for research, and it shows in her work. Like others, I felt the dreariness of Ireland, which we've been suffering through for the past month or more. This might be the perfect time to read this book and place yourself in its setting!

Ashley wrote: "Dana wrote: "Just 25 pages into it, but her description of Ireland is so detailed that I can imagine being there. You can also tell how low Lib's opinion of it is, as England is considered to be so..."

I do wonder what it was like for her to write from the perspective of an outsider when, being Irish, there was likely a lot of familiarity for her in this setting.

Kate wrote: "Everything just seems so dreary in this book. Lib is in a solemn occupation, has been given a serious assignment, and Anna herself is a very serious child so I think just how serious everything alo..."

Kate, these are really clever observations about character and setting! Ireland in winter is apparently quite dreary indeed -- I have only been in the summertime (twice now) and it is absolutely gorgeous, so this is not the Ireland that I know and love. But I wonder if this story would have had as much impact on the reader if the days were sunny and warm? Not that Ireland is ever too sunny...it usually rains at some point every day.

I would love to go to Ireland! I knew she was from there, but was definitely not around after the potato famine so the research is impressive. I wonder if the town she speaks of is real, and if so how much it has changed?

To add to the comments above, Lib's initial journey where she encounters the starving children, and the author's vivid description of every place she visits / stays ... the Inn, the O'Donnell house, the food - painted a picture of hopelessness in my mind. At first I attributed it to "an English person's view of Ireland in that day" but after constant framing of every part of the story that way, it was there to stay. I also found the acceptance of the characters of this being "God's will" contributed greatly to the overall feeling.

Susan wrote: "To add to the comments above, Lib's initial journey where she encounters the starving children, and the author's vivid description of every place she visits / stays ... the Inn, the O'Donnell house..."
I think we all agree that the setting was damp, dreary, dark, and hopeless, as you said. And the characters' acceptance of the situation contributed to that feeling as well.