Welcome to Litsy!

For a moment, Nora felt impatient with her. She was starting her life, she could live where she liked, do what she liked. She did not have to get the train back to the town where everybody knew about her and all the years ahead were mapped out for her.

This was recommended at a bookclub about 6 years ago, and I‘ve finally gotten to it. It‘s my first by Toibin, and won‘t be my last.

Nora‘s husband has passed away, leaving her with 4 children in Ireland in the 60‘s. She is reeling in grief and realizing that she‘s going to have to make some big changes to get by. A beautifully written story of loss and recovery, slow moving but touching.

Nora is a new widow and mother of four when we meet her. Not only is she dealing with grief she must make changes to support her family. This book was a quiet look at life in Ireland around the 60‘s. The audiobook was beautifully read. Four stars.

We meet Nora immediately after her husband‘s death. Two daughters are away in school, two boys are with her. Nora now has to navigate life without Maurice, and loses some of her freedom as she starts working and carrying the burden of responsibilities alone. Wonderful, intimate portrayal of a woman in her mid forties whose life is suddenly uprooted by loss. Beautifully read by Fiona Shaw

Today‘s #libraryhaul OMG! As usual I went way way overboard. 7 books I requested through our #interlibraryloansystem arrived all at once; the rest I could not resist. 2 books are new- will read them first. Others can be renewed. Beautiful sunny day with slight wind- wonderful day to be out & about.

It sure has been a journey in my #bookspin BINGO board. The latest foray was to Ireland 🇮🇪🍀 and a widow having to navigate life having lost her other half. Being recently married, the thought is unbearable, but this is told in such a quiet, atmospheric and painterly way, that it was enjoyable. Her choices (the good & the bad), her children and the growth in the characters was well done. Life moves on. #recentlyread #nospoilers @TheAromaofBooks

I‘m celebrating St. Patrick‘s Day with Nora Webster. I read Brooklyn several years ago and have been meaning to get to this one. Now seems like the perfect time! Happy St. Patrick‘s Day! 🍀

This is the 2nd book in a row that I‘ve read about the death of a loved one & they couldn‘t be more different in tone and in my emotional investment. Nora‘s husband dies, leaving her with 4 children and a life that now must be slowly and completely revamped. Toibin takes his time with the story and you sit alongside Nora as she discovers herself and eventually moves through her grief. I felt a bit removed, but still enjoyed the story. #bookspin

The second book finished for #EasterExtravaganza #Readathon 📘

Nora Webster recently lost her husband. She was left with four children and now must learn to live again! This novel presents the real life, everyday thoughts and actions of the heroine. There are no dramatic twists. This is a simple story, told in a calm measured tone. 🍀💔🎶

Great writing. Meandering story, but good insight into 1960s-70s Ireland

My first Colm Toibin! This book was gifted to me by a very special friend and I recognize why she thought I‘d appreciate Nora. (Which I absolutely did) Nora is a young widow, mother/ sister in a small Irish village where she‘s been since birth and everyone has come to see her in a certain light. As Nora starts to make small changes they create big ripples for those around her. It‘s a quiet read with plenty of strong character development. 👇🏼

Very fascinating story. Greatly enjoyed reading and am a huge Colm Toibin fan!

What a WONDERFUL surprise!!! A special note with a lovely book from a very caring friend. Thank you so much @BarbaraBB the note meant so much to me along with your thoughtful gift. I‘m curious to see why you chose this particular book❤️As always, I‘m extremely grateful. #LittensAreTheBest

Next up in my quest to #readmyowndamnbooks.

Not the kind of book I usually pick up, but I have a challenge where I am reading books recommended by President Obama. I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed listening to this story about a recently widowed mother in 1960s Ireland. The audio book narrator (Fiona Shaw) was excellent.

Finished~ It is such an amazing feeling when you read the perfect book at the perfect time in your life. This book, and Nora the main character, have given me so much to ponder. Even though Nora is a fictional character, I feel close to her and that I‘m not alone.

I bought this last summer, finally getting to read it. Nora and I are going through the same thing now. We‘ll see how things turn out for her.

My Toibin binge continues with Nora Webster. This one follows the recently widowed Nora as she grieves and tries to put her life back together. Nora isn‘t always the best company, she tends to either act rashly, with little thought for repercussions, or not at all. She also maddeningly wavers on and doubts even the smallest decisions. All of that though makes her feel real and alive on the page. Not my favorite of Toibin‘s work, but still a pick.

This is the subdued story of Nora Webster after the death of her husband. She is weighed down with a grief that she doesn't know how to deal with. She is critical, contemplative and thinks carefully about how to move forward. Slowly you see how Nora creates space for other things in life, like a new hairstyle, tentative friendships, music and being able to form her own opinion on the political situation in Ireland in the 1960s. #favourite

I loved listening to this book because of the narrator's Irish accent. In fact, for days after, I kept finding myself pronouncing some words with the same accent.

Nora and I didn't really get along. I couldn't really feel for any of the characters, and it was all just a bit too slow for me. It didn't help that this Danish translation had a lot of spelling errors also. In spite of all this it still had some beautiful moments and it is probably a very realistic portrait of grief, even though I think it could have been done differently.

#MarchMadness

Next book for the #MarchMadness reading challenge. I would probably never have picked this book up if it wasn't for the reading challenge. But it actually does sound pretty good, so hopefully this will be a good read 🤞

#currentlyreading

Not a favorite, but an interesting narration on the path grief and coping.

Nora Webster struggles to come into her own after her husband dies and she's left to care for her four kids on her own. I love Nora. She's brave, lonely at times and unsure of her future. Her realization that she 'neglected' her two younger kids and left them with a relative in order to care for her dying husband is heart wrenching. This was my first Colm Toibin. Love it!!❤❤

#LitsyAtoZ #LetterN

I'm going away for the weekend. My husband walked past my bag and thought for a moment I was reading Uncle Tom's Cabin in Gaelic.

I actually have tons of books that would meet #titlewithapropername tag but this is one I'll be reading soon for #litsyatoz

I love Colm Toibin and have had this on my TBR since it came out.

Lunch break at work! PB&J + a new book to read = a happy me!! 🙃📚

On the book club list and because of Brooklyn, I had to pick this one up at the library book sale.

Colm Toibin has a beautiful and easy writing style. The words just flow. I found the story of Nora Webster very human. It was sad at times and then I would find myself laughing and cheering Nora on as she adapted and moved on with her life. Her spunk and grief were real.

I liked it (still like Brooklyn more I think). Love the way Toibin writes and character development. I find myself invested in his characters, even the ones I don't particularly like!

As I'm slowly reading each book he has written, I am getting more and more respect for him as a writer. He crafts a plot and characters so easily. The rhythms gently flow and yet there is a rawness to each of the characters that I can't explain how to replicate. Brilliant author!

I enjoyed Brooklyn. Let's give Nora Webster a try!