Haven

By: Emma Donoghue

Narrated by: Aidan Kelly

In this beautiful story of adventure and survival from the New York Times bestselling author of Room, three men vow to leave the world behind them as they set out in a small boat for an island their leader has seen in a dream, with only faith to guide them.

In seventh-century Ireland, a scholar and priest called Artt has a dream telling him to leave the sinful world behind. Taking two monks—young Trian and old Cormac—he rows down the river Shannon in search of an isolated spot on which to found a monastery. Drifting out into the Atlantic, the three men find an impossibly steep, bare island inhabited by tens of thousands of birds, and claim it for God. In such a place, what will survival mean?

©2022 Emma Donoghue (P)2022 Little, Brown & Company

Critic reviews

“Told with the clarity of a fable, Haven transports us into territories unknown, where ‘fog makes an island of every man.’ Donoghue’s men of the cloth confront challenges that rattle not only their faith in God, but their faith in each other and in the natural world. This is a patient, thoughtful novel with much to say about spirituality, hope, and human failure, and about the miracle of mercy.” (Esi Edugyan, Giller Prize-winning author of Washington Black)

“Haven is a beautiful and timely novel about isolation, passion and the conflict between obedience and self-preservation. The island setting and the characters stayed with me long after I finished reading.” (Sarah Moss, author of Summerwater)

a fascinating story

I found this book to be a treasure. I love books that introduce me to a place and a life I never imagined, and the world of these monks was unlike any other. The words, and the skilled reading of them, drew me into a life that made my COVID isolation pale in comparison. it has been a valued companion.

Captivating story of 7th-century monks

Why I love stories about monks and monasteries I do not really know, but I do love them, and Haven is a wonderful one. On the surface, it is the tale of three monks who turn their backs against profligate human society and establish a lonely, hungry, new order on a rocky island. Dig a bit deeper, and you will find the book questioning Christianity’s fundamental assumptions about humans’ place in the natural world and the lengths to which folks will go to show they are worthy of God’s love.

Fascinating listen

And beautifully narrated. Was riveted by this unusual survival story. Art, the so-called saintly monk, is a monster indeed. Love the accumulation of detail surrounding the young and old monks’ ingenious plans for survival on their rock island with their pious task master. Ending is perfect!

Keep reading, it gets better

This one was a slow start and I put the book down several times. Since I have always liked Emma Donoghue books, I finally decided to listen to the book. I’m glad I did! The narrator was easy to listen to and made the book more interesting. Give it a listen!

Very interesting subject

I honestly wasn’t sure I would like this book but I decided to listen and see. So glad I did . I really liked the voice of the reader and loved how the characters developed and changed throughout the story . Highly recommend this book!

The pitfalls of religious fanaticism

I loved this book. Each sentence was written deliberately and painted such a clear picture of the thinking of early Irish monks. It covers great ground: blind devotion, power dynamics, isolation, survival, the absurdity and rigidity of religious law in the face of pure nature, etc. For anyone who has ever fallen in the trappings of seeking for signs. The narration is also beautiful. Aidan Kelly has a wonderful tone; very listenable with distinct voices for each character. Thank you.

A haunting book that will stay with a reader for sometime

Emma John Hughes Haven crept into my dreams. I fell in love with the brothers, especially Cormac and Trillan. Because I am visually impaired, I listened to the book. The reader was marvelous on audio.com.

Bland

gave an interesting look into what life might have been like, but it was a slow dry read

imagination almost like midrash, reading, imagining between what we know and don’t know.

I liked how horrifying was the slow turning of the priors heart even as they rip the heart out of the birds they ate. and devoured them.

I disliked perhaps what was an over attention to detail, especially describing things and names I did not know.

if only...

If only the central character was likeable instead of being an insufferable bore who dispenses mosaic imperatives and apocalyptic utterances in lieu of ordinary speech. I wouldn't follow him to the Ritz Carlton on Maui