Heart, Be at Peace by Donal Ryan
Heart Be at Peace is a stunning, lyrical novel that continues the story of the small town in rural Ireland first introduced in Donal Ryan's award-winning debut, "The Spinning Heart." This sequel, which can be read independently, captures the voices and lives of the townspeople ten years after the economic collapse that devastated their community. Ryan's writing is both poetic and profound, weaving together twenty-one distinct voices to create a rich tapestry of human experience.
Set in a small town in rural Ireland, the story follows the lives of twenty-one characters as they navigate the aftermath of economic collapse and the rise of organized crime. The town, still bearing the marks of its history, faces new threats as young people are drawn towards the promise of fast money. The central conflict revolves around Bobby Mahon, who has spent the past decade building up his own business and employing the men left behind by the dodgy builder Pokey Burke. As the community's peace is shattered by unimaginable events, the novel delves into the familial tensions, retributions, and hard-won loyalties that define the town's residents. The novel explores themes of fragility, desperation, and devotion, with each character's monologue offering a unique perspective on the town's struggles and triumphs. Ryan's ability to evoke empathy for even the most flawed characters is remarkable, and his use of language is both sensory and prophetic.
