Soldier Sailor
Ratings5
Average rating4.4
15
Ratings5
Average rating4.4
SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2024 The Times Novel of the Year And a Guardian, FT, Economist, Irish Times, Daily Telegraph, New Statesman, Irish Independent and Independent Book of the Year 'One of the finest novels published this year.' Sunday Times 'I could not put it down.' ANNE ENRIGHT 'It's very moving, also very funny.' PAUL MURRAY 'My favourite book I've read this year.' PANDORA SYKES 'I lived and breathed beside her narrator.' DAISY JOHNSON In her wildly acclaimed new novel Claire Kilroy creates an unforgettable heroine, whose fierce love for her young son clashes with the seismic change to her own identity. As her marriage strains and she struggles with questions of love, autonomy, creativity and the passing of time, an old friend makes a welcome return - but can he really offer a lifeline to the woman she used to be? Readers adore Soldier Sailor: ***** 'About as perfect a piece of writing as you'll find.' ***** 'Unbearably tense and frequently hilarious.' ***** 'An entirely different voltage to anything I've read ... she somehow manages to verbalise *exactly* the feelings and thoughts I, certainly, had at points when I was a young mother' ***** 'This story touched me on such a visceral level.' ***** 'I was held captive by this novel ... an utterly absorbing depiction of motherhood' ***** 'I loved this book. Any woman, with or without children, will see themselves mirrored in this narrative' ***** 'An excellent, interesting and rather unforgettable creation.'
Reviews with the most likes.
This is a lyrical and poignant exploration of gender inequality in parental obligations, focusing specifically on the less glamorous aspects of motherhood, particularly in the context of newer motherhood experiences. The prose is so beautiful, and the monologues were so heartfelt that even I was mesmerized. The story is narrated from the perspective of the mother, “Sailor,” so the observations may be somewhat subjective. However, the author effectively portrays the psychological and mental anguish she experiences without adequate support, a situation that is sadly not uncommon. The honesty and boldness of the narrative feel genuine and refreshing. It's reassuring to see authors openly discussing the challenging aspects of motherhood without the feeling of guilt and also by not placing undue burden on innocent children.
