Publisher's Synopsis
In her 1920s Irish-American enclave, the stories of Marie's neighbours unfold before her short-sighted eyes - from war-blinded Billy Corrigan, to the terrifying Big Lucy, to the ever-present Sisters of Charity from the convent down the road. As the years pass, Marie's own story unfolds against the backdrop of a changing world. Her older brother Gabe leaves for the seminary to study for the priesthood, his faith destined to be tested to breaking point. Marie experiences first love and first heartbreak, marriage and motherhood, and discovers how time can both take away and offer up so much that is precious. Stitching together the intricate tapestry of Marie's journey of the heart over seven decades, Alice McDermott reveals the delicate, bittersweet beauty that lies behind someone's - EVERYONE'S - experiences of loss, love and life.
