A History of Loneliness

By: John Boyne

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

The riveting narrative of an honorable Irish priest who finds the church collapsing around him at a pivotal moment in its history.

Propelled into the priesthood by a family tragedy, Odran Yates is full of hope and ambition. When he arrives at Clonliffe Seminary in the 1970s, it is a time in Ireland when priests are highly respected, and Odran believes that he is pledging his life to "the good."

Forty years later, Odran's devotion is caught in revelations that shatter the Irish people's faith in the Catholic Church. He sees his friends stand trial, colleagues jailed, the lives of young parishioners destroyed, and he grows wary of venturing out in public for fear of disapproving stares and insults. At one point, he is even arrested when he takes the hand of a young boy and leads him out of a department store while looking for the boy's mother.

But when a family event opens wounds from his past, he is forced to confront the demons that have raged within the church and to recognize his own complicity in their propagation, within both the institution and his own family.

A novel as intimate as it is universal, A History of Loneliness is about the stories we tell ourselves to make peace with our lives. It confirms John Boyne as one of the most searching storytellers of his generation.

©2015 John Boyne (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. Produced by arrangement with Farrar, Straus and Giroux, LLC. All rights reserved.

A History of Lonliness

This book has really opened my eyes regarding the struggles of Catholic priests. The subject has been in the news for years but unless you are personally involved, it’s difficult to relate to both sides of issue. John Boyne is a superb author and he is now one of my favorites.

More about community than loneliness

Although the subject is painful - sexual abuse of children in the Catholic church - I enjoyed this book very much. Filled with interesting characters, both flawed and sympathetic, the story is believable and well-written.

scorching truth

excellent narration, revelations of the Catholic church that have long been swept under their corrupt rug

John Boyne is a brilliant writer

The dialogue is engrossing and tells the tale along with the narrator”s revelations
Boyne always makes me weep in empathy with his characters and their dilemmas. The reader did a captivating job for audio.

Excellent

Thoroughly enjoyed the story, even though as an Irish woman, I found it most disturbing & thought provoking. Well read by narrator.

Surprisingly good story

Have you listened to any of Gerard Doyle’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. He's one of my favorites and I've read some books simply because he was the reader.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not really. It's not exactly breaking news. I found it hard to believe it took this guy so long to figure things out and even then not have much of a reaction.

Gripping and Compelling Story

I have loved every book I have read by John Boyne, he is one of the absolute best authors writing today. I will say I have actually enjoyed some of the other books more, but this one gripped my heart and soul because it is so powerful and tragic. Having grown up Catholic it had a very huge impact regarding my feelings about the church. I just finished listening to the fabulous performance by Gerard Doyle, I think listening to it gave my reaction to it even more power. I feel gut punched but so glad I had this opportunity to hear it. This book is not for everyone, but it certainly is one of the best things I have ever heard.

Emotional and Powerful

Wow, what a compelling book ! I was completely pulled into the story, empathizing with the characters, especially Odran, the first person narrator. This is a tough topic to write about. John Boyne is a fabulous writer, and listening to this book was a very emotional experience. Excellent narration by Gerard Doyle. He really personified the character of Odran.

Another fabulous story by John Boyne

This story of an Irish priest coming to terms with the conspiracy of silence inside the Catholic Church was compelling from beginning to end. It reminded me of how we are all often complicit by our silence in many ways, racism, bullying etc. I’ve read most everything John Boyne has written and each book makes me want to read the next. The narrator was excellent and really added to the overall excellence of this listening experience.

Spend your time here

Well developed characters with thought provoking story. A very worthwhile and memorable book with relevant topic.