Donal Ryan’s written works are a delightful spectacle that transcends generations with its rich depiction of life. His six novels are rooted in an Irish smalltown setting, which he creatively magnifies to encompass global stories. His wide-ranging narratives cover several ground from the experiences of a Syrian refugee as seen in his Booker-nominated work called From a Low and Quiet Sea, to the portrayal of a traveller in All We Shall Know, his third novel, and the collection of poignant, struggling voices in his highly lauded debut, The Spinning Heart.
His latest creation, announced to be closely linked to The Spinning Heart, treads the familiar path that brought him considerable praise. His prowess in developing a diverse ensemble of 21 captivating characters and piecing together their individual stories to form a compelling, emotionally resonant tale about a community grappling with adversity is where he is most comfortable.
Whereas The Spinning Heart spotlighted the widespread impact of the economic downturn on both individuals and households, this new narrative centres on a concurrent issue – the rise of drug entry into a town that has bounced back economically but still suffers from the wounds of the past.
Ryan masterfully carries forward the sequel without fault, updating the reader on the personal journeys of the characters – the struggles of Bobby to be decent against a history of deception, Denis’s stint in jail, Réaltín’s marital troubles, the hardships of immigrant Vasya, the elderly sorceress Lily, her granddaughter Millicent, Jim Gildea, the now retired detective, while maintaining a sense of imminent tension to keep the plot progressing.
Donal Ryan’s Heart, Be at Peace makes a welcome comeback as a “sibling” novel to The Spinning Heart.
Patsy McGarry’s Well, Holy God offers a timeless view of a religious correspondent’s life during the unpredictable period of Irish Catholicism.
Tim James’s Accidental delves into scientific discoveries that transpired due to unintended consequences, catastrophes, and luck.
Pat Barker expresses his belief that revenge may not be completely futile; however, he acknowledges its cyclic nature.
The storytelling approach exhibits a well-thought-out wisdom, blending reality with fleeting moments of mysticism that often tie back to historical relevance, a quality evident during Lily’s recollection of her period in Croom hospital, previously a workhouse. She recounts constantly experiencing an unearthly sensation during her time there, audible to her were the faint echos of whispers, cries, and agonising groans emitted from distant corners of the establishment. Having had her fair share of life’s harsh lessons, she articulates that the extent of magic’s existence is purely dependent on human belief, “as belief itself is a kind of enchantment. If you believe unshakeably and whole-heartedly, you are capable of achieving seemingly impossible feats”.
Ryan’s methodology contrasts from McGahern’s, his is more a collaborative, empathetic effort, drawing the reader into a close familiarity with the thoughts and feelings of his extensive set of characters. His impressive writing style provides a balanced blend of harsh reality and poignant sweetness, the constant give and take allowing him to successfully express sentiments that could otherwise seem excessively sentimental in the hands of lesser writers. The broad depiction of a country community in Heart, Be At Peace can be likened to the work of McGahern, his last novel, That They May Face the Rising Sun in specificity. However, Ryan’s writing approach diverges in that his manner is more collaborative and warm, it extending a close familiarity with his extensive character set’s inner thoughts and feelings.
The unique resonance of these various voices is possibly the novel’s greatest strength, the way the varying rhythms harmonise, and the narrative snippets providing at times pessimistic or optimistic perspectives, each ultimately connected. Except for the voice of Lloyd, whose writing exploration mirrors some of Ryan’s own tales, they all contribute to the collective. For me, a standalone instance was a minimalistic yet moving account of an elderly woman being robbed in her bed during the night. Indeed, each reader will identify their own favourite, making the use of multiple narrative voices overwhelmingly engaging. The effect is akin to a literary rollercoaster, with emotional mood swings providing a thrilling experience.
There’s a certain temporal complexity to the narrative, as it’s often filled with significant flashbacks and reminiscences from characters. This can occasionally lead to some confusion about the timeline, though this observation isn’t necessarily a critique. Ryan, the author, has a consistent attraction to historical events and the concept of inheritance, portraying the repetitive nature of human behaviour through the symbol of an ouroboros.
Ryan’s adeptness at creating effective conclusions separates him from many contemporary authors. The crescendo and climax of the story are meticulously crafted, escalating the tension and leading to a satisfying finale. The narrative has been subtly peppered with hints throughout, although the captivating prose and the allure of a fresh storyline in each of the 21 sections may divert readers from predicting the ending. Just like Ryan’s interpretation of ouroboros, “Heart, Be at Peace” is a novel that meriting revisiting time after time.