"With a mood akin to WUTHERING HEIGHTS--and indeed the spirit of Emily Bronte" (Irish Times), Edna O'Brien's critically acclaimed novel WILD DECEMB...
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reviews
Jul 06, 2011
Katherine
rated it: 
“One half of the field had been ploughed and the earth looked cross and disgruntled at being overturned” (84).
“…two corncrakes had either been serenading or outwitting each other minutes before” (143).
“He saw his own face guilty and enlarged in the back of a ladle that was on the kitchen table, near where he stood” (146).
“…the sky all pageant, clouds of every denomination, their pink-frilled edges overlapping, like the waves of a sea” (211).
“A stubby woman in black boots More...
“…two corncrakes had either been serenading or outwitting each other minutes before” (143).
“He saw his own face guilty and enlarged in the back of a ladle that was on the kitchen table, near where he stood” (146).
“…the sky all pageant, clouds of every denomination, their pink-frilled edges overlapping, like the waves of a sea” (211).
“A stubby woman in black boots More...
Dec 30, 2010
Julie
rated it:
Edna O'Brien's prose reads like poetry. She conjures images from the mists of Irish mountains and the thick skin of peat bogs, her characters appearing wraith-like in a land of ancient legends and living superstitions. Her style lends a sense of timelessness to her stories and their settings and characters. With a few tweaks of detail, Wild Decembers could be set in late 19th century or pre-World War II Ireland as easily as the end of the 20th century.
O'Brien's affinity for lyricism More...
O'Brien's affinity for lyricism More...
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Mar 10, 2010
A few years ago I was fortunate enough to tour parts of Western Ireland. I fell in love with a brief story I read on a momument to Grace O'Malley in Westport. In that town, there were also a few pubs named after her in some way. What a gal. She defeated the balance of the Spanish Armada after the British Navy had warded them off. She was offered titles and rewards by Queen Elizabeth I, but declined them stating she was an Irish Queen and didn't require anything further.
This bo More...
This bo More...
Jul 31, 2011
Sabine
rated it: 
Even though I quite enjoyed the story line and the setting in Ireland, I found it a very "slow" read. But I finished the book and it did get better towards the end. I just might try and read another book by Edna O'Brien before deciding I don't like her style of writing.
Jul 23, 2010
Cassandra
rated it:
I loved this book. I could have done with a happier ending, but it was a great read nonetheless.
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Mar 10, 2010
Emily
rated it: 
Yet again I was hoping for another Maeve Binchy-like author and didn't find one. This book was actually a little disturbing...really unhealthy people and relationships. I stopped after the first couple of chapters. I just like books that are enjoyable and not so deep and raw and "real" AKA worldly that I feel dragged down. I wouldn't recommend this book and I'm not sure I'll try another of her books.
Mar 10, 2010
Mary
rated it:
I didn't like it as much as the same author's "The Light of Evening,"
but want to read some of her short stories and see if the people in
them show some signs of a sense of humor, some sense of perspective
on what fate has handed them.
but want to read some of her short stories and see if the people in
them show some signs of a sense of humor, some sense of perspective
on what fate has handed them.
Mar 10, 2010
Maggi
rated it: 
Wow. What a book. This is a lyrical, poetic, utterly engaging book. The theme is as old as books - star crosses would be lovers. But she just nails it. A story of the warring sons of warring sons in rural Ireland.
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May 07, 2010
Barbara
rated it:
I held my breath reading this book. Not that I didn't know it couldn't have a good ending.
It's a timeless story, probably as old as humankind.
Good read!
It's a timeless story, probably as old as humankind.
Good read!
Mar 10, 2010
Macy
rated it:
Very interesting writing style. Rather than starting out with character development, you just drop right into the story. Just as sad, but not the best of her books.
Mar 10, 2010
Robin
rated it:
I ended up skimming most of this book and didn't finish even at that. It has a lot of language and was often crude. I don't recommend this book.
Mar 10, 2010
Liz
rated it:
The story felt like a Greek tragedy. The end was inevitable from the beginning, but the writing ..... beautiful. Poetic.
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