From the Bookshelf of Constant Reader…

The Secret Scripture

Sebastian Barry

Start date: May 15, 2012

Finish date: June 1, 2012

Discussion: Reading List

Discussion leader: Melissa

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Reading List

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What Members Thought

Jun 17, 2009 Melissa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: directed-reading

A powerful, haunting story of Rosanne McNulty, a 100-year old woman long assigned to an insane asylum in County Sligo, Ireland, and the middle-aged psychiatrist who slowly comes to see and know her as more than a silent strange crone. Told in the form of journal entries by Rosanne and Dr. Grene, moving in their own directions but finally inching together to meet by the end of the book. I noted many passages written with a simple but potent beauty, such as this one, from p. 101 of my paperback ed ...more

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Apr 27, 2012 Mary Ellen rated it liked it

This is one of those books for which I did not sustain my early enthusiasm. The writing is often lovely, but I did not find myself eager to get back to it. At the end, I felt I'd gotten little scraps of the lives of two people - one kind of interesting, the other kind of not - and I had a vague curiosity as to what was not told, even fainter curiosity regarding how much to believe, how much not... And in the intervening days since I finished, the book has really faded from my view. Meh. ...more

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May 13, 2012 Ruth rated it really liked it

I'd give it a 3.5 if I could, but since I can't, I'd rather upgrade it than move down. Beautifully written, at times the prose was poetic enough to stop me in my tracks. Other times it went on too long. Still and all I was fascinated enough to keep moving. The interesting twist at the end came as a complete surprise to me. I only wish I remembered more about Irish history. Sometimes I got lost in who was against what, and who. ...more

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May 10, 2012 Melissa rated it it was amazing

Read a second time for the Constant Reader discussion that begins May 15.

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May 09, 2012 Jane rated it it was amazing

I think I like this best of the three Sebastian Barry books I've read. The writing is gorgeous. Barry's writing always is, and this plot was so moving. I can't wait to discuss it in the Goodreads discussion group. What a masterful writer. I'd love to listen to him read it. ...more

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