WINNER OF THE KERRY GROUP IRISH NOVEL OF THE YEAR AWARD THE INSTANT IRISH TIMES TOP 5
BESTSELLER By the author of Four Letters of Love the international bestseller now a major
film starring Helena Bonham Carter and Pierce Brosnan 'I am utterly obsessed with Niall
Williams' Ann Patchett 'A rich and gorgeous book ' The Times The 10 best historical fiction
books of 2024 'Deeply compassionate ' Guardian 'Slow rich immaculate ... One of the most
affecting books I've ever read ' The Times ' Line by line it may be the most beautifully
written novel I've read this year ' Washington Post Doctor Jack Troy was born and raised in
the little town of Faha but his responsibilities for the sick and his care for the dying mean
he has always been set apart from his community. A visit from the doctor is always a sign of
bad things to come. His youngest daughter Ronnie has grown up in her father's shadow and
remains there having missed her chance at real love - and passed up an offer of marriage from
an unsuitable man. But 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. 'Irresistible . A powerful pleasure' Karen Joy Fowler
'A story brimming with kindness and courage' Mail on Sunday 'A beautifully written novel about
second chances and familial love' Observer 'A warm and life-affirming story about ordinary
people going to extraordinary lengths' Irish Times 'My own life feels richer having read it'
Mary Beth Keane
