Linden MacIntyre has an incredible voice for northeastern Nova Scotia and of the clergy. It is really remarkable! He moved me to tears on the radio one day when he spoke so highly of clergy, how hard we work, how much we care and love our people, how much of our lives we give up, and while no longer a practicing Christian, he has such high regard for clergy.

I hate to take a star away from such an incredible story, but I found the ending confusing and just not as well written as the rest of the book. But do not miss out on an incredible story just for that! Very much worth the read! ( )

A dark look into the psyche of the protagonist, a former priest, harboring too many secrets.

I want to read this again. ( )

I found this disappointing. Characters lied to each other or (more frequently, indeed most of the time) gave half-answers or answered obliquely or changed the subject. It was as if they were walking around trying not to clarify anything ever. The ending was something of a revelation, but also a bit of an anti-climax.

I liked the writing, but it was a frustrating read. ( )

A surprising book, well told and appropriately honored with the Giller. Superb characterization of the protagonist and the supporting cast. It brings humanity and realness into the Catholic priesthood. ( )

2.5 stars

This was about a priest (Duncan?) in Nova Scotia in the mid-90s, during the time of the sexual abuse and cover-ups.

I wasn't impressed. I thought it was extremely cryptic, and therefore confusing. I liked the first couple of sentences, and thought the writing seemed like I might like it. But, it was slow and I had trouble focusing on it. About a third of the way through, I actually thought something was going to happen (!), and maybe it would pick up, but it didn't take long before it went back to cryptic and confusing. Overall it was boring, nothing really happened. Things might have been insinuated, but nothing happened. I think that, given the topic of the book, it actually could have been interesting, but it wasn't.

Despite all my negative comments, at first I thought the book was o.k., but I also expected it to pick up and/or for something to happen, so my rating dropped as I continued through it and nothing did happen. I'm having a hard time rating it, especially in comparison to others I've read this year that I probably should have marked lower. In comparison to those, I will give this 2.5 stars, slightly higher than my review might indicate. ( )