Comments (27)

What did you think about this title?
1 to 25 of 27 items
Apr 22, 2023
“The prose is rich,” says the critic. And the Pacific is wet. The prose rises off the page in a fierce embrace of the reader’s heart and spirit; the prose cannot be contained by ink and paper, and the reader, if possessed of any remnant…
Apr 12, 2023jcamenga rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
My wife and I watched a televised version of this book, which inspired me to read the book. It takes place in Ireland during the 20s to the present during a time of strife in the country. The main character, Roseanne McNulty, is living out…
Jan 20, 2021Jenkskitten rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I finally finished the book! The story is great if you can find it in the author's wordy telling. It rambles through the first three quarters of the book. I was tempted so often to just give up. Each chapter has just a hint or two…
Oct 07, 2020srd10 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
What a beautifully written story of loss. I have never read a story that affected me so.
Aug 04, 2020mamalainewagener rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Barry's story crept up on me; it wasn't till I got to the end that I fully appreciated the writing and the philosophy behind the story. When I finished, I felt so satisfied that I started reading it again, this time writing down all the…
ilovebks
Jan 02, 2020ilovebks rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Fav book from 2011...recommended it to Vicki in 2013 and she said her book club rated it the best of the year
Jun 03, 2019
Pretty good story.
Oct 29, 2018Michaelene1 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I didn't give this book a very high rating because it seemed to move so slowly. I got much more than halfway through before I felt like it was a page turner. However, I appreciate how beautifully written the book is and the story line. I…
Oct 02, 2018Inga57 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
So, a quiet cloudy St. Paddy's day brought me to one of my favorite Irish author's, Sebastian Barry, for a second read of his book 'The Secret Scripture' which I first read back in 2013. Then, as now, my eyes are leaking and my heart is…
Mar 30, 2017rakeshseathu rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
A very slow start but language is rich and beautiful. Builds momentum around mid of the book and then it keeps you engaged till the end.
Jan 08, 2016dbrh852 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I would give this gem more stars if they were available. This is a well crafted story with memorable characters and remarkably gracious prose. Barry has created a female heroine with depth, compassion and mystery. This was a sad story,…
Nov 29, 2015CmnThru rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
When visiting Ireland in 2010, a book store owner recommended Sebastian Barry's novels, so I bought and read "A Long Long Way." Loved his writing, so I read more. This is the fourth book of his I've read and loved. It had me hooked from…
Jun 09, 2015Wong_Anne rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Costa Book Award Winner – A female inmate of a hospital is nearing her 100th birthday and a young doctor seeks her history, resulting in the revelation of a shocking secret. I really enjoyed the unfolding of the story.
Dec 20, 2014Chapel_Hill_KenMc rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Beautifully written study in perspective and the relative terms of sanity and mental health. Women in 1920's Ireland faced a treacherous minefield of sexual repression and two-faced codes of morality, and those who strayed could find…
May 18, 2013druby rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I found the author's writing style really difficult to read. There were many passages I had to read over and over again to understand the meaning. Having said that I was intrigued from the start. It was interesting how Roseanne's…
Jane60201
Dec 26, 2012Jane60201 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A really interesting and well written book by an Irish author whom I was not aware of. Will look for more by him.
Dec 19, 2012PansyT rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Such a wonderful writer! He is a master of the language, worth reading and re-reading for his turn of phrase alone. Highly recommended.
ABenjamin33
Sep 18, 2012
Wonderful book, well written. The begining might be a little slow but hang in there it's worth it!
May 17, 2012
Available New Brighton
Crheneghan
May 07, 2012Crheneghan rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book and the use of feathers and hammers. It takes a story in order to remember a loved one.
Aug 25, 2011Raun rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I listened to this on audio and was enchanted. A good story.
Aug 15, 2011John4516 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I stumbled upon this novel (and novelist) purely by chance. What a lucky break for me. Barry is a compelling writer with a terrific story to tell. I literally could not put it down.
Nov 14, 2010JIS1946 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I discovered this book and it's author, Sebastian Barry, by chance while listening to him being interviewed by the CBC's Eleanor Wachtel. I found the Secret Scripture to be another fascinating story of the Irish history and all it's sad…
Sep 07, 2010molly rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Loved it.
Feb 11, 2010readtoday rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
A good read overall. Sometimes there was a feeling that the author/narrator's voice was speaking rather than Roseanne; however, an ending quite unexpected. ReadToday