Old God's Time

By: Sebastian Barry

Narrated by: Stephen Hogan

Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

From the two-time Booker Prize finalist author, a dazzlingly written novel exploring memory, grief, and long-buried secrets

Retired policeman Tom Kettle is enjoying the quiet of his new home, a lean-to annexed to a white Victorian Castle in Dalkey overlooking the sea. For months he has barely seen a soul, but his peace is interrupted when two former colleagues turn up at his door to ask questions about a decades-old case. A traumatic case which Tom never quite came to terms with.

His peace is further disturbed by a young mother and family who move in next door, a woman on the run from her own troubles. And what of Tom’s family, his wife June, and their two children?

Old God’s Time is a beautiful, haunting novel in which everything is not quite what it seems—a novel about what we live through, what we live with, and what may survive us.

©2023 Sebastian Barry (P)2023 Faber & Faber

I have never’ look like this.

The interior, life of the main character is so beautifully. and thoroughly add imagistic, magically drawn I could not leave his world. Thank you to the author.

Beautiful Writing

This beautifully written story depicts the inner dialogue of an old retired police officer as he contemplates his life, his loves and his many losses.
Stephen Hogan’s narration is perfect. Despite the many positive things about this piece of literature, be prepared for it’s depiction of heartbreaking loss.

Very well written but depressing

Not a book to read if you need a mood booster. And not a good casual listen as you have to pay attention to follow the story.

Captivating

The narrator’s lovely voice and accent draw you in to this story. You co inhabit the interior life of this retired Irish cop, as the mystery slowly unfolds. Real and surreal at the same time. Give it time. Be patient. Savor the writing which is astounding and poetic.

Exquisite

A sad story told in the warmest, most beautiful words. A reminder of what a gift sweet memories are, even when bad things happen.

Such beauty

The most beautiful story about grief I have ever heard. The voicing of Hogan was a perfect fit and made for a stunning experience.

Astonishingly

Barry’s writing and descent to the deepest human realms mesmerizes, sorrows and reminds us of our deep, complex and beautiful humanity.

Devastating and Brilliant

Thomas Kettle, a retired policeman, inhabits a shifting mental landscape where time, memory, fact, and illusion can be difficult to untangle. He lives with the ghosts of his departed family members, most notably his beloved wife, June, and he struggles with the history of unspeakable child abuse that he and June suffered at the hands of Catholic priests. The story would be harder to bear if it wasn't so brilliantly written. We are living in a golden age of Irish fiction, and Sebastian Barry is one of it's leading lights.

Beautiful

Beautifully written. Excellent narration. In fiction there are truths. In comedy, there are truths. This was a reflection of a life that could have happened. We certainly know parts of it is truth. We know evil exist. A childhood evil is the worst kind. You never forget. This book grabbed me from the beginning. I could not put it down. The narrator made the story come alive. He took you on this man’s journey. Narrators can make or ‘break’ a book. This narrator did an excellent job. 10 stars!!!

Amazing narration!

Tough story but absolutely worth it. Lyrically Irish and so real. A real classic, well worth the credit.