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Days Without End
2023: Other Books
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Days Without End by Sebastian Barry - 4 stars (Subdue)
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What a perfect comment! You're right. It would make a great opera.
I’ve had this on my list for a long time, even though I didn’t really know what it was about. After reading your review I’ll need to bump it up!
I loved this book. I loved the prose. It made my top 10 the year I read it.
I loved this book, too. Your review reminds me that I want to read the sequel.
I think you would enjoy it, NancyJ.Glad to see you both loved it too, Booknblues & Book Concierge!
This novel provides an unusual look at 19th century American history, seen through the eyes of an Irish immigrant, Thomas McNulty. He meets his future partner, John Cole, in Missouri. The plot follows their lives from their teenage years fighting against the Sioux in the Indian Wars to performing on stage in Michigan to fighting for the Union in the Civil War. It is narrated by Thomas, now in his fifties, reflecting on the past.
It is atmospheric in its style. The dialogue is a mix of Irish colloquialisms, poetic language, and American western slang, which somehow works beautifully. Barry does not spare the grisly details, but also includes lighter moments, such as Thomas and John dressing as women and dancing with miners. Thomas had migrated to America from Ireland in the wake of the Potato Famine, where he met John, and the two became a couple. They travel together and “adopt” an Indian girl whose parents were killed. It is a story of family lost and new family found.
The narrative is filled with brutal battles and struggles for survival, along with tenderness and kindness between companions. Thomas and John often find themselves in perilous predicaments and must figure out a way to escape. Themes include friendship and loyalty forged through getting through tough times together. It is a unique take on a story of the American west, and is more of an anti-Western, vividly portraying its violence and bigotry. It would make a great opera.