I enjoyed this book principally for it's prose. Those reviewers disappointed with the ending should not view this as some kind of whodunnit or mystery cliche. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that I grew up on the tail end of repressed Ireland and come from a long line of strong women. Those elements of the trodden woman's existence are alien to me. And I'm sick of bad day Ireland novels so I'm glad most of that was glossed over - unlike some other reviewer comments to the contrary. In fact Barry should be congratulated for telling a fresh story. Overall, enjoyable.
