Read March 2010. Shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Bookshelves are getting stuffed - something's got to go!

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** MAJOR SPOILER ALERT **

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From my book notes:

This book was intriguing but a bit slow to get going. I enjoyed it more as I went along but, although it has similarities to The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, I did not find it nearly as compelling. Set in Ireland, the main character Roseanne is an almost hundred-year-old woman in a mental asylum. The director, Dr. Grene is reviewing the circumstances under which long-term patients were admitted, since a new smaller asylum is being built and they hope to be able to release some patients into the community. Just slightly over the halfway point (page 173 to be precise) I was suddenly struck with the thought that Dr. Grene was Roseanne’s son. I was right and eventually Dr. Grene made this discovery himself. The book wasn’t depressing but it was a far from cheery read.

Taking this to the monthly Winnipeg Bookcrossing meet-up at The Park Theatre Cafe. If it doesn't get taken home by one of our members, it'll be left on the shelf of the OBCZ (Official Book Crossing Zone).

Welcome to Bookcrossing! I hope you'll enjoy this book and explore the Bookcrossing site. It's loads of fun, as you can track your released books in their travels, possibly all over the world! Please let us know that you've found the book, what you thought of it and if possible, where you might re-release it when you're done so it can continue its journey. You may remain anonymous, but if you choose to join up I hope you will consider using me, mrsgaskell, as the one who referred you.

I meant to be so good tonight. I sat through all these descriptions of books that people were bringing to the meetup and I didn't put my hand up for even one. However, I was tempted by mrsgaskell's description of this book especially since it is set in Ireland. But I said to myself "Wendy, just think how many books you have on your TBR pile. You don't need to add another one." So I kept my hand down. As we wrapped up the meeting I started recording the BCIDs of the books left behind for the OBCZ shelf. I wrote this one's down and went on to the next one but it was like my hand acted on its own and I reached out and stuck this one behind my back. So it came home with me and goes onto the pile. Thanks mrsgaskell. Nice to see you tonight.

I always think the Irish are great story tellers (I even extend that to Newfoundlanders who are, in great part, descended from Irishmen) and this book confirms that thought. This is the story of an old woman, Roseanne, who has been a patient in an insane asylum in Roscommon longer than anyone can remember. Dr. Grene is the senior psychiatrist. The present institution is to be closed and the doctor must decide if any of the patients can be discharged into the community. Since the records from the time Roseanne came to the institution have been destroyed by vermin Dr. Grene must interview Roseanne. At the same time Roseanne is writing her own account of her life but she is keeping it hidden.
Roseanne grew up in Sligo as the only daughter of a Protestant couple. Her father had the job of tending the Catholic cemetery and he was very proud of his job. Roseanne was very close to her father but her mother seemed to hardly matter to her. This may have been because her mother had some type of mental illness, perhaps clinical depression. During the civil war a group of young men who opposed the Free State brought a body to the cemetery for burial. Roseanne, fourteen at the time, was with her father and she was sent to bring Fr. Gaunt, the local priest. Although she told no-one of her errand somehow the Free Staters heard the insurgents were there and came to arrest them. Fr. Gaunt was very embarrassed by this and he fired Roseanne’s father. As a result of this Roseanne’s life changed forever and Fr. Gaunt was involved at the turning points thereafter.
We don’t learn until almost the end of the book why Roseanne was put in the mental asylum but I don’t think it spoils anything if I divulge that Fr. Gaunt was involved. Roseanne is reluctant to reveal any of her history to Dr. Grene so he hunts through some old files until he finds a portion of an account from Fr. Gaunt. The original was retained by the Sligo Asylum and they send it to him. Fr. Gaunt’s account differs considerably from Roseanne’s but since Dr. Grene hasn’t seen Roseanne’s he believes what he reads. Fortunately, he discovers the truth in time.
I figured out the ending before it happened and I did think it was rather trite. However it was still a good tale. I liked the character of Roseanne but I think Dr. Grene was my favourite.
One word of warning: rats figure prominently in this book. I despise rats and I had trouble getting to sleep several nights after reading. If you are like me I recommend reading something else just before bedtime.

I left this book on the main street in Custer near the flower shop. This release is for the 2012 52 Towns in 52 Weeks release challenge.