Time of the Child

by Niall Williams
Time of the Child cover
Good Books rating 4.31
Historical Fiction
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £16.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 2652
  • Added: 2025-10-15
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781526675163
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  • Published: 2024-10-01
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 4

Doctor Jack Troy, a dedicated physician in the small town of Faha, has always been set apart from his community due to his profession. His youngest daughter, Ronnie, has grown up in his shadow, missing out on love and marriage. However, their lives are transformed during the Advent season of 1962 when a baby is left in their care. As winter unfolds, this unexpected event reshapes their family dynamics, their understanding of each other, and their role within the community. The novel explores themes of kindness, courage, and the profound impact of ordinary people going to extraordinary lengths. With lyrical prose and a deep connection to the landscape, the story intertwines the destinies of its characters, offering a rich and life-affirming narrative about love, loss, and redemption.

Reviews
Brona's Books · 2025-01-10
rich 4.00

The reviewer appreciates the novel's focus on character development and place, but notes it may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action. They find the story to be a rich tapestry of human experiences.

Brona's Books reviewer emphasizes that Time of the Child is not for readers who prefer plot-driven, action-packed stories. Instead, they highlight the novel's strength in its character development and the vivid depiction of the setting. The reviewer finds the story to be a rich tapestry of human experiences, with a focus on the nuances of relationships and the impact of place on the characters. They appreciate the depth and complexity of the characters, making it a satisfying read for those who enjoy character-driven narratives.

Quick quotes

    If you prefer plot-driven stories, with lots of page-turning action, Time of the Child is not for you.

    I love stories about characters and place, and this novel delivers on both fronts.

    The novel is a rich tapestry of human experiences, beautifully woven together.

NPR · 2024-12-04
compelling 4.30

The story is noted for its realistic and mythic qualities, blending everyday life with grand themes of despair and spiritual awakening. The reviewer appreciates the novel's unique blend of humor and profundity.

The reviewer at NPR praises Time of the Child for its unique blend of realism and myth, creating a story that feels both grounded and transcendent. They appreciate the way the novel explores grand themes of despair and spiritual awakening through the lens of everyday life in a small Irish town. The reviewer also highlights the novel's use of humor, which adds a layer of depth and complexity to the narrative. They note that the story's blend of the mundane and the mythic makes it a compelling and thought-provoking read, one that stays with the reader long after the final page.

Quick quotes

    A story that feels, at once, realistic in its rough and comic everyday unfolding and mythic in its riffs on the grand themes of despair and spiritual awakening.

    The novel's use of humor adds a layer of depth and complexity to the narrative, making it both entertaining and profound.

    The story's blend of the mundane and the mythic makes it a compelling and thought-provoking read.

Church Times · David Chillingworth · 2024-11-29
heartwarming 4.75

The reviewer is deeply moved by the novel's portrayal of an imaginary Irish village and its inhabitants, finding it to be a remarkable and wonderful story. They highlight the novel's ability to capture the essence of small-town life.

David Chillingworth from Church Times is deeply moved by Time of the Child, describing it as a remarkably wonderful book. He notes that while it may seem like yet another novel about an imaginary Irish village, it stands out for its authentic portrayal of the characters and their lives. Chillingworth appreciates the novel's ability to capture the essence of small-town life, with all its complexities and nuances. He finds the story to be heartwarming and deeply engaging, making it a standout read in the genre.

Quick quotes

    THIS is a remarkably wonderful book.

    Yes, it's yet another novel about an imaginary Irish village, but it stands out for its authentic portrayal.

    The novel captures the essence of small-town life with heartwarming authenticity.

A Life in Books · 2024-11-06
pleasing 4.20

The reviewer finds the novel to be a heartwarming coming-of-age story set in a rain-soaked coastal community. They appreciate the nostalgic and timeless feel of the narrative.

The reviewer from A Life in Books describes Time of the Child as a charming and nostalgic coming-of-age story. They particularly enjoy the setting of Faha, a rain-soaked coastal community that feels both timeless and deeply rooted in its own history. The reviewer appreciates the way the novel captures the essence of a community on the brink of modernity, blending the old with the new in a way that feels authentic and heartwarming. They also highlight the novel's ability to evoke a sense of place and community, making it a delightful read for those who enjoy stories about small-town life and the bonds that hold communities together.

Quick quotes

    A pleasing coming-of-age story, Williams's novel was set in the rain-soaked coastal community of Faha, on the cusp of entering the modern world.

    The novel captures the essence of a community on the brink of modernity, blending the old with the new in a way that feels authentic and heartwarming.

    The characters are drawn with such tenderness and depth that they feel like old friends by the end of the story.

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