Tunnel of Mirrors by Ferne Arfin

Tunnel of Mirrors by Ferne Arfin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Tunnel of Mirrors by Ferne Arfin spans the first three decades of the twentieth century. It convincingly links an orthodox Jewish family living in the Lower East Side of New York with a Catholic fishing community on Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland. Rachel’s old-fashioned Orthodox father suppresses the aspirations of his large family. Ciaran’s love for his single mother ties him to a subsistence lifestyle reliant on fishing and cliff climbing. Up to the moment Rachel saves Ciaran’s life in New York in 1928, Arfin records their separate journeys. Ciaran makes thoughtless choices and ends up in the wrong place at a dangerous time. Rachel brings disaster on herself and her young son through a failed attempt to achieve personal freedom. Both characters are relatable, and the story of how they finally connect is fascinating.

During Rachel’s teenage years, the neighbours call her a witch because of her strange daydreams and blank episodes. The novel is structured around lyrical passages based on mythology magically passed down to Rachel by a grandmother she never met. I do not read fantasy and I prefer action to lyricism, but I must say these poetic sections are beautifully written. I found Ciaran’s mindset easier to grasp. I was born in Northern Ireland and spent several childhood summers within sight of Rathlin Island, which is now a flourishing tourist destination. Arfin’s handling of New York dialect seems masterful to me. She has also done a very good job in conveying Ciaran’s Irish speech patterns and the legend of the sea-dwelling, shapeshifting selkies.

I found the way Arfen handles dialogue in Tunnel of Mirrors compelling. Reading it was like having access to live conversations from an episode in history of which we only have unreliable memories and anecdotes. This is what enabled me to understand the book’s underlying theme of fatherhood, its inclusive treatment of outsiders and how Rachel and Ciaran come to terms with the age gap between them. I think an Audible version of Tunnel of Mirrors would be excellent.





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