Good novel about love difficulties in a wealthy Catholic family in 1880 Ireland. Interesting on the power of religion. The solution to the problem of the syphiliic brother didn't seem too plausible. Somewhat reminiscent of Henry James in the unnecessarily lengthy soliloquies of the main character.

The Ante-Room is set over the course of just a few days in 1880. Agnes Mulqueen lives with her father, brother, and mother, who is dying from cancer. When Agnes’s older sister Marie-Rose arrives for a visit, she brings her husband, Vincent, along with her—and Agnes must deal with the feelings she has for her brother-in-law.

This is another one of those books I really wanted to like. But because the characters spend so much time waiting, the novel drags a lot, especially towards the middle. Agnes’s struggle—her love her Vincent versus her extremely strong faith—could be interesting, but I just found it dull after a while. I found myself wishing that Agnes would just grow herself a backbone, since she allows people to walk all over her. Actually, none of the characters are particularly likeable, except maybe poor Dr. Curran, who actually seems like a decent guy. Even Teresa Mulqueen, who I’d normally feel sorry for, isn’t all that sympathetic. But the author is a gifted writer, and she touches on her characters struggles with a great amount of compassion. Since I like Kate O’Brien’s prose style, I’ll read more books by her. ( )

A bleak story of unhappy or doomed relationships. ( )

Found this to be very depressing .......still, I managed to read it to the end

Kate O’Brian is one of the most beautiful writers. It’s hard, even now, to extract myself from the story and view it as a piece of writing.

Each character brings their own problems to the table, both emotional and physical, which spill over onto each other. There is a focus on the nature of love and marriage. Dr Curren is looking for a wife and mother of his children who he can fall in love with later. Vincent and Marie-Rose had a romantic courtship but his love for Agnes destroys their relationship.

We also see the dangers of the mother/son relationship. Vincent, who could only be himself with his mother, is crushed by her death. Syphilitic Reggie’s reason for living is completely created by his mother.

The sin and sensation contrast with the grandeur of the Mulqueen house. Dinner parties are thrown with the doctors as Teresa lies dieing upstairs. Vincent and Agnes sit by each other pretending they aren’t in love and nothing is wrong.

Agnes’s reaction to her love for Vincent was incredibly realistic and poignant. She doesn’t want to confess because she doesn’t want to give up her love. The impossible love that makes her miserable also makes her happy.

The characters rely on religion to make them happy. Agnes wants her love to be erased by confession and Teresa depends on God to look after Reggie after her death. But really both problems are ‘solved’ by the scheming and sin of the earth bound characters.

The Ante-Room creates a beautiful portrait of family life and how it affects us. It shows the internal thoughts of the characters beautifully. Its language is incredibly beautiful. There is no other word for it, it’s a beautiful novel and, although there is no particular immediacy about the plot, it’s a pleasure to loose yourself in. ( )