The Map of Tenderness

by William Wall

In his mid-thirties, Joe Lyons leads a solitary life as a writer, having never had much luck with relationships - including with his own family, whom he has alienated with the publication of his autobiographical first novel. So when Joe meets and falls in love with a young music teacher, he can't believe his luck. But, just as he is beginning to trust Suzie's feelings for him, the news comes that his mother is seriously ill. When he and his sister return to the family farm they discover that their mother's illness is hereditary. A terrible fate seems in store, with profound implications for Joe's future with Suzie. In the searing experience of loss, Joe, like his father, learns to understand the nature of love.

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into this book. It improved towards the end but I just didn't feel the characters at all, especially the main character Joe.

[Niamh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book - exploring the complexity of family life and showing the many sides of love. I think he deals with loss and the things we cannot control beautifully.