Bookclub Books:

The Story of Lucy Gault - William Trevor   

Having a fascination with the 'big houses' of Ireland and the tensions in the 1920s between the native Irish and the Anglo-Irish ruling classes (something to do with my Historian past), The Story of Lucy Gault was a book I really wanted to read.

I was hoping for something along the lines of Elizabeth Bowen's The Last September but Lucy Gault is neither as believable nor as gripping. As with all Trevor's books, it is beautifully written and his descriptions of the Cork coast and the emotions of a child are acutely observed. However, after a strong start, the book - as Lucy's life - meanders to an unsatisfying conclusion. Too many questions are unanswered and avenues left unexplored for The Story of Lucy Gault to be truly believable. 3/5

Bibliofemme Recommends

Score awarded by Bibliofemme: 2.8 out of 5

Awards
Nominated for Impac Literary Prize 2004

What the other femmes had to say
"Beautifully written and poignant at times, Trevor expects the reader to suspend too much disbelief. There are are many dead-ends and the book lacks heart." 3/5

"Enjoyable read, but slow moving and not enough depth" 2/5

"Beautifully written but far too implausible." 3/5

"A beautifully written but somehow soulless tale of how refusal to deal with the past can corrupt the future, irretrievably. Not Trevor's best work." 3/5

"An unpassionate story lacking detail of history, context, character, and plot but with some well-written passages." 3/5