Time Of The Child by Niall Williams
Set in the small Irish village of Faha during the winter of 1962, the story follows Doctor Jack Troy, a widowed physician nearing seventy, and his devoted daughter Ronnie, who has sacrificed much to care for him. Their quiet, predictable lives are disrupted when Jude Quinlan, a local boy, discovers an abandoned baby outside the parish church during the Christmas fair. Jack revives the child and, with Ronnie, begins caring for it in secret, fearing the judgment of their conservative Catholic community.
As Advent unfolds, the presence of the baby forces Jack and Ronnie to confront long-suppressed emotions - Jack’s regrets over lost love and Ronnie’s yearning for a life beyond duty. Around them, the village faces its own subtle shifts: an aging priest falters, traditions strain against change, and whispers of modernity creep in.
Time of the Child is a lyrical, tender novel that captures the essence of rural Irish life with grace and depth. Williams’s prose is musical and meditative, rich with humour and philosophical insight, reminiscent of Irish oral storytelling traditions. The narrative shines in its portrayal of ordinary lives touched by quiet miracles, balancing melancholy with hope.
