Time of the Child, Niall Williams - Tom
In the advent season of 1962, as the town readies itself for Christmas, Ronnie and Doctor Troy’s lives are turned upside down when a baby is left in their care. As the winter passes, father and daughter’s lives, the understanding of their family, and their role in their community are changed forever.
This is the first book by this author that I have read. It will not be the last. His use of language, descriptive skills, and story telling captivated me within the first six pages.
His introduction to the village and the characters living there left the reader in no doubt about the nature of the place and people. There have been many books written about the unwanted babies in Ireland and the various institutions set up to deal with both the child and (generally) unmarried mothers.
This story differs in that even though set in early 1960’s Ireland, the baby is wanted albeit not by the mother who abandoned it. As in most small villages everyone knows everything about their neighbours, and what they don’t know they make up and spread by gossip/rumour. Even changes in regular habits are noted and as in this case lead to speculation.
As I said above, I was captivated very early in this story and could not wait to find out the conclusion. I read it in two sittings.
Tom
