Title: Faithful Place
Author: Tana French
Publisher: Viking
ISBN: 978-0-670-02187-1
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 400
Quick Review: 5 stars (out of 5)
Why I Read It: Another author I follow closely. I initially started with her because I enjoy Irish mysteries.
Where I Obtained the Book: From my local library
Synopsis: The hotly anticipated third novel of the Dublin murder squad from the New York Times bestselling author - Back in 1985, Frank Mackey was nineteen, growing up poor in Dublin's inner city, and living crammed into a small flat with his family on Faithful Place. But he had his sights set on a lot more. He and Rosie Daly were all ready to run away to London together, get married, get good jobs, break away from factory work and poverty and their old lives. But on the winter night when they were supposed to leave, Rosie didn't show. Frank took it for granted that she'd dumped him - probably because of his alcoholic father, nutcase mother, and generally dysfunctional family. He never went home again. Neither did Rosie. Everyone thought she had gone to England on her own and was over there living a shiny new life. Then, twenty-two years later, Rosie's suitcase shows up behind a fireplace in a derelict house on Faithful Place, and Frank is going home whether he likes it or not. Getting sucked in is a lot easier than getting out again. Frank finds himself straight back in the dark tangle of relationships he left behind. The cops working the case want him out of the way, in case loyalty to his family and community makes him a liability. Faithful Place wants him out because he's a detective now, and the Place has never liked cops. Frank just wants to find out what happened to Rosie Daly-and he's willing to do whatever it takes, to himself or anyone else, to get the job done.
Review: Do you remember the movie Unbreakable? The theory was if there is a human who is so fragile they literally break at the drop of a hat, then the law of averages states their must be a human who is almost indestructible. Now there are authors, popular authors, even arguably good writers who for some reason I cannot read. It is something about their writing style, while not bad, just doesn’t click with me. So much so I cannot get through their works. For me two of those writers are Charles Dickens, and a more recent example, Janet Evanovich. So if they are out there, then their opposite must be around too. Tana French is one of those writers.
With her first two books I had problems with the conclusion (In the Woods) and even the basic premise (The Likeness), but even so I loved her writing. I cannot even describe what that means, it just clicks with me. So I was very excited for her third effort and I was not disappointed. The writing is still fabulous, the story/mystery was satisfactory, and the premise was believable. Anotherwords, it’s a homerun.
Frank Mackey is an undercover cop, but more than that he is a man who had his heart broken, Broken by his drunk father, his ill mother, and most importantly by his childhood sweetheart. While waiting to run elope and leave their troubled families behind Frank is stood up, but riding the momentum of his decision he leaves anyways; never to return. At least he never planned to. When the body of his love his found Frank must finally face his demons, and all the things he has been running from, especially his family.
Even more than Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom, Faithful Place delves into family and what all its members owe to each other. Through intimacy and the abuse of trust the mystery of the Mackey family, Frank’s place in it, and the death of a promising young woman is slowly and deliciously unraveled. Each page was another delicate layer to the tale and is to be enjoyed slowly. It is a fine line between love and hate, and anybody with a family knows that it is very easy to cross, all the while justifying your actions whether write or wrong.
Family is always with you, no matter how far you run. One of the best books I read all year.
Author: Tana French
Publisher: Viking
ISBN: 978-0-670-02187-1
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 400
Quick Review: 5 stars (out of 5)
Why I Read It: Another author I follow closely. I initially started with her because I enjoy Irish mysteries.
Where I Obtained the Book: From my local library
Synopsis: The hotly anticipated third novel of the Dublin murder squad from the New York Times bestselling author - Back in 1985, Frank Mackey was nineteen, growing up poor in Dublin's inner city, and living crammed into a small flat with his family on Faithful Place. But he had his sights set on a lot more. He and Rosie Daly were all ready to run away to London together, get married, get good jobs, break away from factory work and poverty and their old lives. But on the winter night when they were supposed to leave, Rosie didn't show. Frank took it for granted that she'd dumped him - probably because of his alcoholic father, nutcase mother, and generally dysfunctional family. He never went home again. Neither did Rosie. Everyone thought she had gone to England on her own and was over there living a shiny new life. Then, twenty-two years later, Rosie's suitcase shows up behind a fireplace in a derelict house on Faithful Place, and Frank is going home whether he likes it or not. Getting sucked in is a lot easier than getting out again. Frank finds himself straight back in the dark tangle of relationships he left behind. The cops working the case want him out of the way, in case loyalty to his family and community makes him a liability. Faithful Place wants him out because he's a detective now, and the Place has never liked cops. Frank just wants to find out what happened to Rosie Daly-and he's willing to do whatever it takes, to himself or anyone else, to get the job done.
Review: Do you remember the movie Unbreakable? The theory was if there is a human who is so fragile they literally break at the drop of a hat, then the law of averages states their must be a human who is almost indestructible. Now there are authors, popular authors, even arguably good writers who for some reason I cannot read. It is something about their writing style, while not bad, just doesn’t click with me. So much so I cannot get through their works. For me two of those writers are Charles Dickens, and a more recent example, Janet Evanovich. So if they are out there, then their opposite must be around too. Tana French is one of those writers.
With her first two books I had problems with the conclusion (In the Woods) and even the basic premise (The Likeness), but even so I loved her writing. I cannot even describe what that means, it just clicks with me. So I was very excited for her third effort and I was not disappointed. The writing is still fabulous, the story/mystery was satisfactory, and the premise was believable. Anotherwords, it’s a homerun.
Frank Mackey is an undercover cop, but more than that he is a man who had his heart broken, Broken by his drunk father, his ill mother, and most importantly by his childhood sweetheart. While waiting to run elope and leave their troubled families behind Frank is stood up, but riding the momentum of his decision he leaves anyways; never to return. At least he never planned to. When the body of his love his found Frank must finally face his demons, and all the things he has been running from, especially his family.
Even more than Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom, Faithful Place delves into family and what all its members owe to each other. Through intimacy and the abuse of trust the mystery of the Mackey family, Frank’s place in it, and the death of a promising young woman is slowly and deliciously unraveled. Each page was another delicate layer to the tale and is to be enjoyed slowly. It is a fine line between love and hate, and anybody with a family knows that it is very easy to cross, all the while justifying your actions whether write or wrong.
Family is always with you, no matter how far you run. One of the best books I read all year.
Author Biography: Tana French grew up in Ireland, Italy, the US and Malawi, and has lived in Dublin since 1990. She trained as a professional actress at Trinity College, Dublin, and has worked in theatre, and film. Her first novel was entitled In the Woods; it was published by Viking Press and won the 2007 Edgar Award for Best First Novel.
Other Reviews:
New York Times
Washington Times
LA Times
FYI:
Interview with the Author
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