One of those books that hangs loose in your head, rattled around a bit, then shoots a shaft of light through your heart. The tale is of a woman and her family- she is an unreliable narrator and so fascinating- she is lonely and destroyed by her loneliness but rather than wallow, she takes a sort of mad control of herself and those about her. She does not go quietly.
I loved all the expressions that come out of her mind, “our woman”, and the thoughts. I felt for her as she becomes unhinged, loses the thread. I won’t forget her.
A great read. Like the author’s Martin John, a wee bit disturbing, unsettling. I’m impressed with the author’s ability to dance around madness. ( )

I tried. I failed. ( )

I don't know. I don't know what to say about Anakana Schofield's books. Absolutely fucked up but somehow also touching, funny, and compulsive. ( )

This is one of those books whose every word needs to be savored. Schofield has given thought to the thoughts of “our woman” and carefully crafted them into this book. And in doing so she has given unique insight to the mind and the pains it endures.

http://tinyurl.com/hu9ashu ( )

Very good, very sad, very funny and very original novel about Ireland and being an Irish woman amid changes in society and life. I loved Philomena, "our woman," and suffered alongside her travails. Her voice travels back and forth in time, sometimes it feels like through different people. The narrative style does take a little getting used to but you'll find you'll be sorry when she's finally done talking. ( )