The Heather Blazing

Let me start by asking, what is it about Irish authors and their beach houses? Often decaying, often illuminated on and off by a nearby lighthouse, they are almost characters in the novels. That’s the case with this story by Toibin as well as his Blackwater Lightship. Beach houses figure prominently......more

In a slow, quiet way Toibin tells us the story of Eamon Redmond. He expertly weaves together Eamon's childhood with his life as a judge, husband, father, and grandfather. It is the story of how our history shapes us and influences who we become. Our imperfections, relationships, aspirations are all......more

This was one of those quietly powerful books where the main protagonist floats through life as if he was forever caught in a glass bowl looking out yet unable to be truly part of other people’s deepest feelings and thoughts. He often hints on the fact that he’d like to engage, understand and be a pa......more

In his first novel set entirely in Enniscorthy, Colm Tóibín tells the tale of a high court judge, Eamon, living in late 20th century Ireland. I feel that this would be his hardest novel to get into if the reader isn't Irish or unless you have strangely intimate knowledge of 20th century Irish politi......more

The Heather Blazing by Colm Toibin is a deeply emotional, deeply moving book. It’s the story of Eamon Redmond, a complex man, grown on tender roots, influential friends, a keen intellect and a tangible distance between himself and those whom he loves. The book is set in three parts, each of which dip......more