**Winner of the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award** **The instant Irish Times Top Ten
bestseller** A heartbreaking and life-affirming novel about small towns and second chances -
from the international bestselling author of Four Letters of Love 'I am utterly obsessed
with Niall Williams' Ann Patchett 'A rich and gorgeous book ' The Times The 10 best
historical fiction books of 2024 'Irresistible . A powerful pleasure' Karen Joy Fowler
'Deeply compassionate ' Guardian 'Slow rich immaculate ... One of the most affecting books
I've ever read ' The Times 'A beautifully written novel about second chances and familial
love ' Observer 'A story brimming with kindness and courage' Mail on Sunday 'A warm and
life-affirming story about ordinary people going to extraordinary lengths' Irish 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. 'My own life feels richer having read it' Mary Beth Keane 'A
triumph ... There is so much to admire: the lyrical language how landscape and destiny
intertwine the complex bonds of community' Ron Rash
