SPOILER ALERTS - To the guest reader, the following will reveal all sorts of plot details or lack thereof. If you wish to remain blissfully ignorant, leave now.
Maggie 5 - 5
Maggie 5 - 5
She found it a slow go at first but it suddenly became readable about 40 pages in. The writing was poetic and evocative describing their cold struggle. She kept waiting for the mystery of the women's deaths to be explained and found it very frustrating that they never were. Wondered if Muiris killed Tadhg and then burned the place down. She thinks so even though Father suggests otherwise. Why did Father dislike Biddy so much? He cared deeply about the people of his village. She thought it pointed out how important women are to a society because without them, you have no society. It was an easy read, and she liked it, but there were too many unanswered questions. Maggie shared a story that went something like this: A man goes into a village pub and meets Farmer Jack, Barman Jim, and Sheepshagger John. After a few pints, the visitor’s curiosity gets the better of him and he asks John what’s with the nickname. “See this pub?” asks John, “I built it, but do they call me Pubbuilder John? No. I’m the local doctor, I saved Barman Jim’s life once, but do they call me Lifesaver John? No. And every year, I supply a huge Christmas tree for the village green, but they don’t call me Christmas Tree John.
But you shag one lousy sheep…”
But you shag one lousy sheep…”
Sandy 4 - 5
Thought it was going to kill her but then the writing seemed to click and she took off. Some of Father's droning on and on made her think, "Oh shut up!" She didn't read the footnotes, thought Father was a pompous ass, and had a hard time with his attitude toward Biddy. He took it personally every time anything went wrong, and was awful to anyone that he couldn't manipulate. She loved the scene when the sheep wander into church and Tadgh called out, "Behold the Lamb of God." She felt bad for Tadhg, but . . . eww, he needed to go. The mentions of WWII throughout were too sporadic to be meaningful.
Pat 8 - 8
I thought it was moody and dark. It cast such vivid contrasts especially those coffins lying black against the snow. Father McGreevy's voice was the perfect narration. I like how he stayed true to his character throughout and how his black and white interpretations failed to see any gray realities. I went in blind and probably wouldn't have enjoyed it as much had I known sheep shagging was in store. Thought one scene was enough, but no! Tadgh's story was so tragic and sad. I knew there was all sorts of symbolism with Tadhg being the Christ figure, and the ram's slaughter but I didn't bother to unravel any of it. I looked forward to reading it since it put me in such a foreign place and was told so well. Knowing from the first that the town doesn't survive the gave it a slo-mo train wreck sort of feeling. Anytime people made it down, I thought, Yes, get off that mountain!
Pat 8 - 8
I thought it was moody and dark. It cast such vivid contrasts especially those coffins lying black against the snow. Father McGreevy's voice was the perfect narration. I like how he stayed true to his character throughout and how his black and white interpretations failed to see any gray realities. I went in blind and probably wouldn't have enjoyed it as much had I known sheep shagging was in store. Thought one scene was enough, but no! Tadgh's story was so tragic and sad. I knew there was all sorts of symbolism with Tadhg being the Christ figure, and the ram's slaughter but I didn't bother to unravel any of it. I looked forward to reading it since it put me in such a foreign place and was told so well. Knowing from the first that the town doesn't survive the gave it a slo-mo train wreck sort of feeling. Anytime people made it down, I thought, Yes, get off that mountain!
Heidi 7.5 - 6
She was relieved when Father's story was finished and thought him dedicated to his people and church tradition which is why he wanted to stay. She thinks the Church wanted him out so they wouldn't be associated with sheep shagging, even if Father wasn't to blame. She liked the historical aspect, but found the footnotes difficult on her iPhone. Was glad we got to hear the different perspective from Muiris at the insane asylum and felt sorry for him no longer having a relationship with his younger son, Eamon. Sometimes had to reread awkward sentences, but eventually got hooked on the rhythm and cadence of the Irish phrases. Had no harsh feelings toward Father and after the Biddy/Tadgh spoon encounter was less concerned with how he treated her. Wondered for a while if Biddy had anything to do with the women's death, but later didn't think so. Lots of religious overtones to wade through without really understanding. Agrees with Maggie that Muiris killed Tadgh. Gave an initial recommendation to an Irishman before completing story and is now not so sure he should read it.
Becky 6 - 6
Becky found this different, visually descriptive, slow, and somewhat hard to read. She provided the quote of the night with this reaction to the sheep scene, "Ewwwwwww! No pun intended." Nice. Thought it was very clever that he was telling the story to the police. Didn't care for Father at all. He's supposed to help people, but he was so harsh and unsympathetic, especially to Biddy who wasn't quite right in the head. She's sure that Muiris killed Teagh which was foreshadowed with him killing the dog. She too kept hoping and waiting for more to be revealed toward the end, especially the mystery of the women's deaths.
Caroline 4 - 4
Had a hard time picturing the whole thing. Saw little pieces of it here and there. Was the village really so tiny? Why a Father for such a small village for so long? Found it worth noting that when Father talked to the doctor and managed to bring himself to mention the sheep incident it didn't faze the doctor at all. She found Father bossy, not understanding, and didn't like him or how he treated people. She too thought Muiris killed Teagh, because he couldn't stand the thought of him being locked up. She liked the line, "You learn more about people when they're dead than when they're alive." She also kept waiting for a big reveal at the end. Its absence left her wondering what the book was about. It didn't do anything for her.
K'Lynn 4 - 4
Couldn't wrap her head around how far the villages were apart. Why such huge differences between them? She figured the hill symbolized Old Ireland while the village below represented the New, but it still seemed strange to be so different when they were so near each other. She cared about the complex characters but then the ending slowed to a pedestrian pace and nothing really happens.
Becky 6 - 6
Becky found this different, visually descriptive, slow, and somewhat hard to read. She provided the quote of the night with this reaction to the sheep scene, "Ewwwwwww! No pun intended." Nice. Thought it was very clever that he was telling the story to the police. Didn't care for Father at all. He's supposed to help people, but he was so harsh and unsympathetic, especially to Biddy who wasn't quite right in the head. She's sure that Muiris killed Teagh which was foreshadowed with him killing the dog. She too kept hoping and waiting for more to be revealed toward the end, especially the mystery of the women's deaths.
Caroline 4 - 4
Had a hard time picturing the whole thing. Saw little pieces of it here and there. Was the village really so tiny? Why a Father for such a small village for so long? Found it worth noting that when Father talked to the doctor and managed to bring himself to mention the sheep incident it didn't faze the doctor at all. She found Father bossy, not understanding, and didn't like him or how he treated people. She too thought Muiris killed Teagh, because he couldn't stand the thought of him being locked up. She liked the line, "You learn more about people when they're dead than when they're alive." She also kept waiting for a big reveal at the end. Its absence left her wondering what the book was about. It didn't do anything for her.
K'Lynn 4 - 4
Couldn't wrap her head around how far the villages were apart. Why such huge differences between them? She figured the hill symbolized Old Ireland while the village below represented the New, but it still seemed strange to be so different when they were so near each other. She cared about the complex characters but then the ending slowed to a pedestrian pace and nothing really happens.
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