The Wren, The Wren by Ann Enright - Review - Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist 2024
A review of The Wren, The Wren by Ann Enright. Women's Prize for fiction Shortlist 2024.
Nell McDaragh never knew her grandfather, the famed Irish poet Phil McDaragh. But his love poems seem to speak directly to her. Restless, full of verve and wit, twenty-two-year-old Nell leaves her mother Carmel’s home to find her voice as a writer and live a life of her choosing. Carmel, too, knows the magic of her Daddo’s poetry-and the broken promises within its verses. When Phil abandons the family, Carmel struggles to reconcile “the poet” with the man whose desertion scars Carmel, her sister, and their cancer-ridden mother.
The Wren, the Wren brings to life three generations of women who contend with inheritances-of abandonment and of sustaining love that is “more than a strand of DNA, but a rope thrown from the past, a fat twisted rope, full of blood.” In sharp prose studded with crystalline poetry, Anne Enright masterfully braids a family story of longing, betrayal, and hope.
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I would have put Ordinary Human Failings and And Then She Fell in the place of Restless Dolly Maunder and The Wren, The Wren. Totally agree with you here, I was SO bored with The Wren, The Wren.
Yes, spot on! I haven't read this one, and likely won't. I always want to read her books, but after The Gathering, I just can't. I read for story, and it had none. I read for character studies, and it was a thin veneer. I read to be lost in a book, but The Gathering was so boring, I could barely finish it. So, yes, spot on! Every time she has a new book I want to give her another chance, but this is usually the reaction, and I can't go there again!
In Defence of the Act and Ordinary Human Failings deserved to make the short list 🙌🏼🙌🏼
i read the wren the wren and was angry it was on the long list when i finished it..not to mention the short list...i actually couldn't tell nell and carmella apart...and if they referenced the poet saying he left his wife because unfortunately she got sick once more i thought i'd scream..that really was too on the nose.
Totally agree with everything you said 🙌🏼 I also struggled to finish it and felt that the beautiful writing just wasn't enough. By the time I got to the granddad's bit I wasn't even that interested in spite of all the anticipation created around his figure. I haven't read all of the shortlist but this is definitely not my cup of tea.
Feels like Soldier Sailor is gonna win. If it does I will riot (alone, because it seems like I’m the only one who hates that book haha). Maybe I should try The Wren…beautiful writing is something I really enjoy.
Ah, we disagree on this one. But I’m not as plot driven a reader and I thought the characters and their lives felt real.
@lauracorsi3309
27 күн бұрын
I gave this one 4.5 stars.
@SteffiR-xj8oj
25 күн бұрын
I listened to both audiobooks - The wren, the wren and Soldier Sailor - and thought they were great. Even though they are completely different in style, tone and plot. Thanks for your review.
I would replace The Wren The Wren with Ordinary Human Failings in a heartbeat.
I didn't realise this book was on the shortlist! Haven't seen many people talk about it. I'm currently reading Soldier Sailor, wasn't planning on it but your review convinced me. Lovely stuff 🙌 (Btw will you be checking out the International Booker winner, Kairos?)
@rororeads
27 күн бұрын
Yeah, Ill definitely give that one a read