Old God’s time

£9.99

There were no saints in any era, Tom knew, just good men and bad, and sometimes both in the one bottle. Retired policeman Tom Kettle is enjoying the quiet of his new home, a lean-to annexed to a white Victorian Castle in Dalkey overlooking the sea. For months he has barely seen a soul, but his peace is interrupted when two former colleagues turn up at his door to ask questions about a decades-old case. A traumatic case which Tom never quite came to terms with. His peace is further disturbed by a young mother and family who move in next door, a woman on the run from her own troubles. And what of Tom’s family, his wife June and their two children? A beautiful, haunting novel, in which nothing is quite what it seems, ‘Old God’s Time’ is about what we live through, what we live with, and what will survive of us.

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Description

SHORTLISTED FOR THE DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD 2024
LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2023
THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER

TWICE WINNER OF THE COSTA BOOK OF THE YEAR
A FINANCIAL TIMES, TIMES, AND IRISH TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

‘A masterpiece’ Sunday Times
‘Stunning’ LIZ NUGENT
‘Extraordinary’ Irish Times

Tom Kettle, a retired policeman, and widower, is settling into the quiet of his new home in Dalkey, overlooking the sea.

His solitude is interrupted when two former colleagues turn up at his door to ask about a traumatic, decades-old case. A case that Tom never quite came to terms with. And his peace is further disturbed when his new neighbour, a mysterious young mother, asks for his help.

A beautiful, haunting novel, in which nothing is quite as it seems, Old God’s Time is an unforgettable exploration of family, loss and love.

‘A wonderful, brutal, utterly compelling book . . . Barry is the most miraculous writer.’ Russell T Davies
‘To borrow a word that recurs in its pages, it is stupendous, in the sense that it shocks and astonishes.’ Irish Times
Rare indeed are those novels worth cherishing and keeping close. Old God’s Time is one of them.’ Daily Telegraph
‘So captivating . . . it will live long in the minds of its readers.’ Independent

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:
***** ‘A beautiful family love story. It will haunt you and break your heart.’
***** ‘Deeply felt and so moving. I will be reading this again.’
***** ‘A tragic tale beautifully told. Sebastian Barry is one of the great contemporary writers.’
***** ‘Absolute perfection in novel form.’
***** ‘Deeply tragic. Deeply humorous. Utterly beautiful. I’m in awe.’
***** ‘A writer in possession of something divine . just exceptional.’
***** ‘Magically transporting . the balance of extreme grief and joy are perfectly expressed.’

Additional information

Weight 228 g
Dimensions 19.8 × 12.9 × 1.6 cm
Author

Publisher

Imprint

Cover

Paperback

Pages

261

Language

English

Edition

1st paperback ed

Dewey

823.92 (edition:23)

Readership

General – Trade / Code: K

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