Nora Webster: A Novel

By: Colm Toibin

Narrated by: Fiona Shaw

Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

2015 Audie Award Finalist for Literary Fiction

From one of contemporary literature's best-selling, critically acclaimed and beloved authors, a magnificent new novel set in Ireland, about a fiercely compelling young widow and mother of four, navigating grief and fear, struggling for hope.

Set in Wexford, Ireland, Colm Tóibín's superb seventh novel introduces the formidable, memorable and deeply moving Nora Webster. Widowed at 40, with four children and not enough money, Nora has lost the love of her life, Maurice, the man who rescued her from the stifling world to which she was born. And now she fears she may be drawn back into it. Wounded, strong-willed, clinging to secrecy in a tiny community where everyone knows your business, Nora is drowning in her own sorrow and blind to the suffering of her young sons, who have lost their father. Yet she has moments of stunning empathy and kindness, and when she begins to sing again, after decades, she finds solace, engagement, a haven - herself.

©2014 Colm Toibin (P)2014 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

beautiful and simple

The description of a woman's life unfolding after being suddenly widowed. The circumscription of a small Irish town in the 1970's and the many subtle ways we watch her grow into herself as an individual, with family yet, as we all are, alone.
Beautiful. This book puts me in mind of the many novels by Edna O'Brian.

Over too soon, but a great snapshot of her life.

Fiona Shaw is absolutely incredible, as I expected. Any performance of hers is completely flawless.

A favorite

Beautifully written, intimate and subtle. A simply gorgeous book. The reader’s talent is as astonishing as the writer’s.

Couldn't finish it, I just didn't care

Would you try another book from Colm Toibin and/or Fiona Shaw?

Fiona Shaw was an excellent narrator. The problem was the story. It was boring and depressing and I never felt compelled to care about Nora. I finally just gave up. I gave it three stars only because he narration was good.

Would you ever listen to anything by Colm Toibin again?

I might, some reviews say his other books are much better but then many reviewers loved this book. People praise the excellent writing. I guess I am a reader that is more concerned with the story. Everyone likes something different. This just wasn't for me.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment!

Stick with it

This book had a slow start and when I became involved in Nora,s transformation of herself I couldn't put the book down And Fiona Shaw isa marvelous actor

Mixed Feelings

I enjoyed the writing. I also enjoyed the performance. But, Not enough of a plot.
This is the story of a woman dealing with the grief of the death of her husband. It gets a bit dreary after awhile. I kept waiting for some sort of action. But, nothing much happens.

Nobody does it better

Colm toibin gets women . I can't think of any other male writer who delves so deeply into the mind and emotions of his female characters. Nora Webster is proof of this. His depiction of a woman emerging from grief and finding new footing in the world is exquisite. Too bad Fiona Shaw's reading didn't measure up for me. She made everyone but Nora sound old and simple minded. Have liked her work in the past, but this was disappointing.

Exquisite portrait

Colm Toibim has written a detailed, perfectly paced, intimate story of a woman who is a mother, wife, daughter, sister, employee, and member of her community and culture during her transitions following the death of her husband. Subtle and truthful.

Beautiful story well told

Great story of strength, pain, growth, and self-knowledge. Nora's dreads and simultaneous willingness to move forward are both inspiring and true. Excellent reader.

Just as good as Brooklyn

Excellent writing once again- I didn't think it could be as good as Brooklyn, so it was a great surprise to find it the characters were just as interesting.