A unique writing style that puts you in mind of Saramago and the Beatniks all at the once. Extremely readable; easy to take in small chunks; it's one you'll put down and pick up again after a cuppa because: why not? just one more paragraph, just one more page, won't take but a few minutes.

The story was based on an extremely awkward and morally criminal theme that no one condones and everyone, even herself in the book, is thoroughly appalled at and rightfully so...but... the redemption that comes through unexpected friendship with those living on the outskirts of even the fringe of acceptable society is the key to healing and forgiveness.

And that, after all, is the point of the story.

Melody speaks to us in snippets of memories and chunks from the here-and-now and they blend together as one collage of pictures revealing charred relationships and cracked social structures pasted and holding fast by the last hair hope of better. She is unlikeable in nearly every way, a conniving woman, unfaithful and bitter, but there is something in the way she falls into her own story that draws more than our pity, more than our sympathy--it compels our love. And why not? We see how she was unloved, and we walk with her as she learns to love, selflessly, despite all her selfish flaws that have broken so much in the past.

The vernacular (I suppose that is what you call it for anyone outside Ireland) places us right in the estate, brings us right to the foot of the Traveller's caravans at the edge of Limerick and gives strong voice to each of these gnarled, brittle, thorny, life-battered characters.

Even if the story is hard to take, the writing makes it all the easier to digest.

I look forward to reading more of Donal Ryan in future.