The Heart in Winter: A Novel

by Kevin Barry

Good Books rating 4.28

Technical:

ID: 234
Added: 2025-09-06
Updated: 2025-10-11
ISBN: 9780593687383
Publisher: Random House
Published: 2025-06-24
Formats: 68
Reviews: 4

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Set in the harsh winter of 1891 in Butte, Montana, a copper mining boomtown teeming with Irish immigrants, Kevin Barry's first American-set novel introduces Tom Rourke, a troubled poet and degenerate, who finds unexpected love with Polly Gillespie, a new bride trapped in a devout and oppressive marriage. Their impulsive elopement on a stolen horse launches them into a dangerous journey across the Rocky Mountains and Idaho badlands, where fleeting romance clashes with relentless pursuit. Barry’s narrative blends savage humor, lyricism, and tragedy, capturing the gritty realities of immigrant life and the desperate hope of escape. As a posse of deranged Cornish bounty hunters closes in, Tom and Polly face brutal violence and haunting choices that will shape their lives forever. Praised for its stylistic mastery and emotional depth, the novel is a rollicking, profane, and poetic tale of love, fate, and rebellion in the American West.

Reviews

Bookreporter · 2025-09-06

accomplished 4.00

The novel is recognized as a significant work by Kevin Barry, reflecting his acclaimed storytelling prowess. It adds to his repertoire of celebrated literary fiction with strong narrative and character work.

Kevin Barry is a highly regarded Irish author whose works have appeared in prestigious outlets like The New Yorker and Granta. 'The Heart in Winter' continues his tradition of strong literary storytelling, adding a new geographical and historical dimension by setting the story in late 19th century Montana and Idaho. While Barry is known for his richly textured narratives and compelling characters, this novel is noted for its blend of historical detail and emotional depth, showcasing his ability to create vivid, immersive worlds. Readers familiar with Barry’s work will find this novel a compelling addition that broadens his thematic and stylistic range.

Quick quotes

Kevin Barry is the author of the novels THE HEART IN WINTER, NIGHT BOAT TO TANGIER, BEATLEBONE and CITY OF BOHANE.

His stories and essays have appeared in the New Yorker, Granta and elsewhere.

The Heart in Winter adds a new dimension to Barry’s acclaimed literary fiction.

Literary Hub · Dan Sheehan · 2025-09-06

dynamic 4.50

The novel is praised for its vivid, energetic prose and rich emotional depth, set in a historical Western context. It showcases Barry's talent for blending melancholy humanity with a rip-roaring adventure.

Dan Sheehan highlights Kevin Barry as one of Ireland’s most gifted fiction writers, emphasizing the author’s ability to write prose that is both vibrant and deeply human. 'The Heart in Winter' departs from Barry's usual Irish settings and takes readers to 1891 Montana, where a passionate and tumultuous romance unfolds amidst the harsh, vice-ridden mining town of Butte. Sheehan admires Barry’s fearless narrative style, describing it as a blend of soulful and sexually charged storytelling that also carries the weight of melancholy and humanity. The novel’s portrayal of doomed love and gritty survival captures the reader with both emotional intensity and raw adventure, demonstrating Barry’s range and literary bravery.

Quick quotes

Barry writes with incomparable brio and achingly melancholy humanity.

The Heart in Winter is a soulful, sexually-charged, rip-roaring Western.

You can’t be afraid to go nuts on the page.

Amazon UK · 2024-08-01

engaging 4.30

Readers generally praise the novel’s lyrical prose and complex character dynamics, appreciating Kevin Barry’s distinctive voice and atmospheric storytelling. The book has received high ratings for its emotional intensity and vivid setting.

Customer reviews on Amazon UK reflect strong appreciation for Kevin Barry’s lyrical and evocative writing style in The Heart in Winter. Readers are drawn to the richly developed characters and the atmospheric depiction of a historical Montana mining town, which provides a unique and immersive backdrop. The emotional depth and the intricate relationships portrayed in the novel resonate deeply with many readers, who commend Barry’s ability to weave beauty and grit. While some reviews note the novel’s intensity and complexity might not suit all tastes, the overall consensus is positive, highlighting Barry’s narrative skill and the fresh perspective he brings by setting the story in a non-Irish locale. The high average rating underscores the novel’s success and appeal among fans of literary fiction.

Quick quotes

Lyrical prose and complex character dynamics.

Distinctive voice and atmospheric storytelling.

Emotional intensity and vivid setting.

Writers on Writing Podcast · 2024-07-05

insightful 4.30

The novel is notable for its unique setting outside Ireland and the long creative process behind it. The author discusses his approach to character development and the deep connection between dreaming and fiction.

Kevin Barry's 'The Heart in Winter' stands out in his oeuvre for being set in Montana and Idaho in the late 1800s, contrasting with his usual Irish settings. The novel took 25 years to come to fruition, reflecting the meticulous care Barry puts into finishing each work, even when it challenges him. In conversation, Barry reveals his technique of finding the emotional 'tuning fork' of a novel to unlock its characters, emphasizing the importance of connecting with the dream-like origins of fiction. This insight enriches the reading experience, giving a sense of depth and authenticity to the novel's narrative and characters. The story is described as soulful and deeply human, revealing Barry’s skill in crafting compelling, intricate human relationships.

Quick quotes

The Heart in Winter was 25 years in the making.

He shares his one guiding principle for unlocking his characters, finding the 'tuning fork' for your novel.

Dreaming and fiction come from the same place.

Appears in Lists

Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction 2025