Poetic language, dreamy, atmospheric story of rain soaked grief in Ireland. ( )

Beautiful story, especially the first part. Part two and three are a bit contrived. Some parts are left out, for instance you never get to know how Jim and Kate met; you don't hear anything about Jack or Hannah's birth or about the time Kate died. More and more you get the feeling that things don't match up. Especially when Hannah almost drowns it becomes a bit incredible: so many deaths in one story! But then all is revealed in the Afterword. I couldnot help but feel a bit conned, though. ( )