Nora Webster: A Novel

By: Colm Toibin

Narrated by: Fiona Shaw

Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

2015 Audie Award Finalist for Literary Fiction

From one of contemporary literature's best-selling, critically acclaimed and beloved authors, a magnificent new novel set in Ireland, about a fiercely compelling young widow and mother of four, navigating grief and fear, struggling for hope.

Set in Wexford, Ireland, Colm Tóibín's superb seventh novel introduces the formidable, memorable and deeply moving Nora Webster. Widowed at 40, with four children and not enough money, Nora has lost the love of her life, Maurice, the man who rescued her from the stifling world to which she was born. And now she fears she may be drawn back into it. Wounded, strong-willed, clinging to secrecy in a tiny community where everyone knows your business, Nora is drowning in her own sorrow and blind to the suffering of her young sons, who have lost their father. Yet she has moments of stunning empathy and kindness, and when she begins to sing again, after decades, she finds solace, engagement, a haven - herself.

©2014 Colm Toibin (P)2014 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

beautiful and simple

The description of a woman's life unfolding after being suddenly widowed. The circumscription of a small Irish town in the 1970's and the many subtle ways we watch her grow into herself as an individual, with family yet, as we all are, alone.
Beautiful. This book puts me in mind of the many novels by Edna O'Brian.

Very moving portrait, interesting times

I really enjoyed this book which is the first one I have read by Colm Toibin. I also thought the narration was, for the most part, quite good. The only complaint I have about the narration is that a few of the characterizations were a bit over the top - almost cartoonish in tone. In the worst case the character in the book is supposed to be a mean and nasty boss at work and the vocal characterization approached the level of the wicked witch of the west. For the greater part of the book the narrator enhanced the story and did a great deal to locate the novel in place and time. It is a small flaw but a noticeable one.

The story takes place in a small town in Ireland. It is a narrowly focused portrait of a woman who has lost her husband, and it takes place in the three years following that loss. The lens of the story opens to take in a bit of the era -1969 and the years immediately following, when the troubles between the Catholics and the Protestants exploded. Otherwise, only the technology of the period distinguishes the setting - record players and cars are still luxuries and not everyone has a telephone.

The writing is very beautiful although much of the story is sad. Each sentence, each word of the book seems specifically chosen - nothing is extra - no descriptions, nothing sloppy. The prose is precise and spare and much of what happens is revealed in dialogue. The main character, Nora Webster, is not the most likable of heroines. She is thoughtful and not sentimental, but a concerned and caring mother despite not making choices that are universally applauded. During her husband's terminal illness, which occurs before the opening of the story, she left the children with her two sisters for quite a while, and she does not question that decision even as she sees the impact it has had on at least one of her children. It is clear that her marriage was the center of her emotional life. Throughout the book much of what she decides is not approved of by those around her, and she is a sort of prickly character who becomes more confident and independent over time.

The movement in the story is from about six months after her husband's death until 3 years later and traces the passage of her life from grief, resentment and loss towards her redefinition as she navigates parenthood alone and discovers what motivates and defines her in the absence of the circumstances of her younger married self. Though much of what happens in the novel is small the questions addressed by the story - what matters and how to live - are very large ones.

I was very moved by this book, by the beauty of the prose and by the minute details which made the story resonate for me. I also think despite the flaws I mentioned earlier regarding the narration that the audio version is very powerful in transmitting the character's movement over time. I highly recommend this book for serious readers who value beautiful writing.

Fiona Shaw is Amazing!

This is a very insightful and apt description of widowhood and grief that comes way too early, but a heart-warming account, nobe-the-same.

Over too soon, but a great snapshot of her life.

Fiona Shaw is absolutely incredible, as I expected. Any performance of hers is completely flawless.

A favorite

Beautifully written, intimate and subtle. A simply gorgeous book. The reader’s talent is as astonishing as the writer’s.

Couldn't finish it, I just didn't care

Would you try another book from Colm Toibin and/or Fiona Shaw?

Fiona Shaw was an excellent narrator. The problem was the story. It was boring and depressing and I never felt compelled to care about Nora. I finally just gave up. I gave it three stars only because he narration was good.

Would you ever listen to anything by Colm Toibin again?

I might, some reviews say his other books are much better but then many reviewers loved this book. People praise the excellent writing. I guess I am a reader that is more concerned with the story. Everyone likes something different. This just wasn't for me.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment!

Stick with it

This book had a slow start and when I became involved in Nora,s transformation of herself I couldn't put the book down And Fiona Shaw isa marvelous actor

Mixed Feelings

I enjoyed the writing. I also enjoyed the performance. But, Not enough of a plot.
This is the story of a woman dealing with the grief of the death of her husband. It gets a bit dreary after awhile. I kept waiting for some sort of action. But, nothing much happens.

Nobody does it better

Colm toibin gets women . I can't think of any other male writer who delves so deeply into the mind and emotions of his female characters. Nora Webster is proof of this. His depiction of a woman emerging from grief and finding new footing in the world is exquisite. Too bad Fiona Shaw's reading didn't measure up for me. She made everyone but Nora sound old and simple minded. Have liked her work in the past, but this was disappointing.

Exquisite portrait

Colm Toibim has written a detailed, perfectly paced, intimate story of a woman who is a mother, wife, daughter, sister, employee, and member of her community and culture during her transitions following the death of her husband. Subtle and truthful.