BOOK12: OLD GOD’S TIME, SEBASTIAN BARRY, #BOOKERPRIZE2023

Though I’ve finished all the books on the #bookershortlist2023, I still have one more book to finish all the books on the #bookerlonglist2023.

This is a story about a retired old cop, Tom Kettle, who has lost all the members of his family. He is shown to be struggling with his memory. There is a burgeoning feeling of the presence of absence. The torment of losing loved ones is reflected so beautifully that it plays on the mind. The cop leading a retired life is drawn back to work when two cops show up at his house asking for his help.

The beginning feels as though there would be an investigation, like a murder mystery but the story doesn’t move on those lines. Parts of it are lyrical, parts dreamlike with ghosts and unicorns. The author repeats many words or phrases like “somewhere somewhere...” or “God help him. God help him…” to be emphatic.  Much of the book is about Tom’s wife and his children.

Aren't human beings slaves to their memories? Our thoughts and actions are determined by our minds. Though there are many events in our lives, one often feels like erasing the bad events from our memories. I recently read that Life is a summation of all our happy memories or events. Tom Kettle is shown reminiscing the happy moments of his life at the beginning of the book. There are many events narrated that are heart-rending. Trigger warning:  suicide, rape, sexual abuse, or paedophilia.

Sebastian Barry was named Laureate for Irish Fiction, 2019-2021. He was awarded the Costa Book of the Year: in 2008, and 2017 and was shortlisted for Man Booker in 2005 and 2008 and longlisted for the Booker in 2011.

I found this read tough, but you must read it to know it!