Sue HUBBARD : Rainsongs

Newly widowed, Martha Cassidy has returned to a remote cottage in a virtually abandoned village on the west coast of Ireland for reasons even she is uncertain of. Looking out from her window towards the dramatic rise of the Skelligs across the water, she reflects on the loss of Brendan, her husband and charming curator, his death stirring unresolved heartache from years gone by. Alone on the windswept headland, surrounded by miles of cold sea, the past closes in.
As the days unfold, Martha searches for a way forward beyond grief, but finds herself drawn into a standoff between the entrepreneur Eugene Riordan and local hill farmer Paddy O'Connell. While the tension between them builds to a crisis that leaves Paddy in hospital, Martha encounters Colm, a talented but much younger musician and poet. Caught between its history and its future, the Celtic Tiger reels with change, and Martha faces redemptive choices that will change her life forever.

What a beautiful novel, what a beautiful writing style !

The last novel I read made me complain about being bored, about nothing happening, about it being a chore to read : this novel has almost no story, not much happens, everything is nuanced, painful subjects delicately approached and I loved every second of it ! 

This is a story about loss, about grief, first the loss of a husband, then another loss, not mentioned early, just a touch, here, there, a mourning so painful that the character is at first reluctant to mention it. Then she finally tells us what happened and we understand everything that was left in the grey.

Sue Hubbard writes splendidly, I was deeply touched by her story, by her characters, by the atmosphere she creates, the melancholy, the history of Ireland, the weather, everything. I could almost feel myself there, the smells, the wind, the beautiful surroundings. I loved reading about Martha, Colm's energy, Eugene's relationships (?) with people, Paddy's sense of belonging, different levels, different personalities, the modern Ireland, the old Ireland and those who want to make more of Ireland than a stereotype for tourists. And the splendid and wild Skellig isles, of course.

I was there, near Cahirciveen, the Dingle peninsula, the ring of Kerry, years ago ! I even remember the Puck fair at Killorglin. I loved visiting these places again, if only by reading. And I need to read more by this wonderful author whose style is almost poetic - but then, she's also a poet.