Must-Read Book 'Absolution By Alice McDermott' Synopsis and Review
In Absolution by Alice McDermott, delve into the poignant story of Peter and Marie Keating, Irish immigrants who embark on a new life in New York City in the early 20th century. Through flashbacks and present-day reflections, we witness the trials, joys, and sacrifices they endure as they navigate the complexities of family, faith, and the American Dream. This moving tale explores the enduring power of love, forgiveness, and the search for absolution in the face of life's challenges.
Synopsis
"Absolution" by Alice McDermott follows the intertwined lives of two young women, Irene Boylan and Helen Cronin, in post-World War II Brooklyn. Irene, a single mother and former nun, grapples with her past and the challenges of raising her daughter, Frankie, on her own. Helen, a devout Catholic and friend to Irene, yearns for a life beyond the confines of her conservative upbringing.
As the novel progresses, Irene's repressed memories of her time in the convent resurface, casting a long shadow over her present-day existence. Haunted by guilt and longing, she seeks redemption through a complicated relationship with a local priest, Father Phil. Helen, torn between her loyalty to her church and her own desires, embarks on a forbidden romance with a married man.
Through the characters' journeys, McDermott explores the themes of faith, forgiveness, and family. The novel delves into the complexities of religious belief and the ways in which it can both bind and constrain. It also examines the enduring power of love and the choices one makes in the search for happiness and absolution.
Book Details
| Author: | Alice McDermott |
| Publisher: | Farrar, Straus and Giroux |
| Pub Date: | April 10, 2018 |
| ISBN: | 9780374199159 |
| Page Count: | 272 |
| Categories: | Fiction, Literary Fiction, Family Life, Coming-of-Age, Religion |
About The Author
Alice McDermott was born in New York City in 1953. She received her B.A. from Dowling College in 1975 and her M.A. from Johns Hopkins University in 1978. She has taught writing at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and the Iowa Writers' Workshop.
McDermott's work has been praised for its lyrical prose, its insightful portrayal of human relationships, and its exploration of the themes of faith, family, and loss. She has received numerous awards for her work, including the National Book Award for Fiction for her novel "Charming Billy" in 1998.
McDermott's other novels include "That Night" (1987), "At Weddings and Wakes" (1992), "A Bigamist's Daughter" (2007), and "Lovely, Dark, Deep" (2018). She has also written two collections of short stories, "Someone" (2002) and "After This" (2010).
McDermott is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the Royal Society of Literature. She is currently a professor of English at Johns Hopkins University.
## Review: Absolution by Alice McDermott
Alice McDermott's "Absolution" is a lyrical, deeply moving novel that explores themes of faith, guilt, and redemption. Set against the backdrop of a small-town Catholic community, it tells the story of Father Frank Doyle, a priest struggling with the burden of his own secrets.
McDermott's prose is as rich and evocative as ever, capturing the nuances of human emotion and the complexities of religious experience. She paints a vivid portrait of the parish community, with its hopes, fears, and unspoken desires. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own unique struggles and motivations.
Father Doyle is a complex and flawed protagonist, wrestling with doubts and an overwhelming sense of guilt. His journey towards redemption is both inspiring and heartbreaking, as he grapples with the consequences of his past actions.
"Absolution" is not a story with easy answers or tidy resolutions. Instead, it is a meditation on the nature of forgiveness, the weight of the past, and the resilience of the human spirit. McDermott's deft handling of these themes creates a novel that is both thought-provoking and deeply affecting.
While the book is primarily set in the 1960s, it resonates with contemporary themes of sexual abuse and the accountability of those in positions of power. McDermott's exploration of these difficult issues is handled with sensitivity and nuance.
Overall, "Absolution" is a powerful and emotionally resonant novel that will linger in the reader's mind long after they finish the last page. Alice McDermott once again proves herself to be a master storyteller, capable of weaving together a tale that is both deeply human and profoundly spiritual.
Where to Read
This book is available in bookstores.
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