Cover Image: When All is Said

When All is Said

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

What a beautiful book. I normally go for stories with a beginning and an ending with a clear plot in the middle – often of the suspense/mystery type so I didn’t expect to take to this book especially, but oh what an extraordinary surprise … I could not put this down. Nor could I stop the tears from flowing – whether from sadness, the upflited-ness or the simply beauty of the tale and how it is told.

Maurice Hannigan, a man of the land all his life and now 84 years of age, sits in a hotel bar, alone now after his wife and children have died or moved far away, and raises a glass to five people he has known and loved through his long life. We learn about these people through each toast as he remembers them and how they touched his life and he theirs – but we learn even more about Maurice himself. He’s no hero – he has loved and lost along the way and his own behaviour hasn’t always made him a hero, but a real human being he is, and therein lies his attraction to us as we get to know him and empathise with him. You feel you’re in the bar with him, listening to his soft Irish brogue and reliving those moments with him and identifying with him in our own experience. It reminded me too, of the important wisdom that life, in the end, is not so much about what we do or achieve, but the way in which we touch the lives of others and they touch us, and that – when ‘all is said and done’ dare I say, is the legacy we leave behind and perhaps the only one worth leaving. This isn’t me preaching … this is me being reminded!

This was incredibly skilful writing from someone whom I am sure will become more familiar to us over the years. A poignant, moving, beautiful book that speaks to us of life just how it is – for better or for worse. Be warned … it may strip you raw, but for me, rather that any day than leave me unmoved.

Was this review helpful?

Maurice is an 84 year old Irish man who spends the evening at a hotel bar toasting five people who have been important to him at various stages of his life.

Maurice is one of those characters you miss when a book ends. I felt I knew him as he told his story and could have read on and on for hours.

This is a beautiful and very poignant book that I read in one sitting. I sat and cried when I finished. It’s a story that will stay with me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

Was this review helpful?

84 year old Maurice spends an evening raising a toast to five important people he has encountered during his life. This novel was a poignant tale of a man looking back on his life and reflecting on the decisions he has made and the things he has been unable to talk about until now. I enjoyed the way that mysteries were revealed through the book, and felt that I got to know Maurice well and the life he had led.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my pre-publication copy of this novel.

Was this review helpful?

You will smile and cry when reading When All Is Said. You can't help but love Maurice Hannigan the 84 year old Irish man who is telling his life story one evening through the five toasts he raises sitting in the bar of an Irish hotel.

The book is written in the form of a letter to his only son who lives in America telling him things he has never been able to say in person. Maurice's wife, Sadie, died two years before and he finds life difficult as a widower. A cantankerous farmer and solitary soul, he has risen from a poverty stricken childhood to become a prosperous man. Through his five toasts Maurice reveals the secrets he has kept and the sorrows he has suffered without being maudlin or self pitying.

Two minor things jarred for me: firstly no elderly man would use the awful American term 'from the get-go' (twice in Chapter Three: 'We'd been trying of course, from the get-go'; 'From the get-go Sadie was convinced of it' which reveals a young editor perhaps not noticing?) The second is that in order to tell the reader, Maurice 'tells' things to his son that he would have already been aware of. That's tricky and most readers wouldn't notice or care.

Ann Griffin is a wonderful Irish writer to add to my list of contemporary fiction authors. Her characterisation and sense of place are second to none and I highly recommend When All is Said for its beautiful writing. A perfect read for fans of Elizabeth Is Missing, The Thing About December and Bitter. Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton/Sceptre for the opportunity to read and review it.

Was this review helpful?

Maurice is making toast to the people who have been most significant in his life, reflecting on the good and bad things from his past, he tells his life story, detailing his regrets, and particularly the love story between him and his wife, who has been dead two years and who he is still missing terribly. There are some uplifting parts of this story but it is obvious he doesn't want to carry on getting older and lonelier and missing his wife more each day. He clears up a few mysteries as he goes along, and right up util the last line there is doubt whether he really will end his life. Strong characterisation kept the story interesting and believable, I found it an engrossing read and would definitely recommend it.

Was this review helpful?

Firstly I would like to thank Net Galley, the publishers, and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a free and honest review.

I loved it. It's a story set in Eire; it's about 84 year old Maurice, sitting on a bar stool reflecting on his life by thinking about five people who had made up his world. It's a very moving and sad story but so very well written and very readable. I galloped through it and even shed a tear or two in places. I was interested to see John Boyne's name included in the Acknowledgements as a supporter of Anne Griffin; he is one of my favourite modern authors and his most recent book is my top read so far in 2018. Anne Griffin is not far behind. Five solid stars.

Was this review helpful?

A book of heartbreak, when all is said, the life documented here-over five toasts at a hotel bar- is one of goodbyes;
"Noone really knows loss until it's someone you love...And when it's gone...it's as if it's been ripped from you."

From gifting away his working collie 'Gearstick', through the deaths of his idolised brother and the inevitable decline of his parents, a still-born child, the nurture and departure of his sister-in-law and on to the eventual slipping away of his beloved wife Sadie, 84 year-old Maurice Hannigan, recalls the significant influences and pinnacle moments in his life in an address to his absent son.
Told with charm and enough humour to allow bursts of sunshine between the gathering clouds, the first two toasts are particularly moving. I found myself quickly drawn to the central character who, in so few words, Griffin has summarising the personalities of those around him;
"He didn't look at me, but simply turned back down to the field with my fate in tow." or "My mother was softly spoken. What words she said were to the point. Nothing wasted."
The wisdom of his advanced years causes Maurice to view earlier actions and decisions with regret and, whilst I was able to forgive him, ultimately, Maurice Hannigan needs to forgive himself.

Later chapters are less successful-particularly when the author has to provide a commentary on occasions where Maurice's son Kevin, was actually present. The effect is jarring as Griffin is forced to provide details for the reader which surely the son would not need reminding of. For example, at his own mother's funeral;
"You'll remember it was a small ceremony, her funeral."
In addition, the big reveal at the end; "Tonight I will die." should come as no surprise to anyone-even those readers who haven't been paying particular attention.

Overall though, Anne Griffin is successful in delivering the simple and difficult directive, to make every moment matter: it's unlikely you'll truly understand which memories are of the greatest significance until, sooner or later, they are all you're left with.

Was this review helpful?

Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me with this book to read in exchange for an honest review. Honestly, I didn't get on too well with it. I feel like I should have done in the sense that the general genre I typically enjoy and I love Irish literature but somehow the story just didn't grab me as much as it could have done.

I do want to award it more than one star partly because the writing was very good and it's also an original story, I don't think I've come across similar before and maybe if i give it another chance at another time I might enjoy it more.

The concept of a man toasting five different people and describing their stories is a good one but parts were long-winded.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book. 84 year old Maurice Hannigan is spending the evening toasting the 5 people who have made a difference to his life. He lost his wife 2 years ago, and can't live without her. We know what he is planning to do at the end of this day, and that makes everything more poignant. This is the story of his life, warts and all. A lovely story. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

Was this review helpful?

Beautiful, touching and poignant, 'When All Is Said' centres on Maurice Hannigan.

Maurice spends the evening reflecting on his life, toasting five special people: his brother Tony, daughter Molly, sister-in-law Noreen, son Kevin, and his beloved wife Sadie. With each toast we learn more of Maurice's life story, his rise to riches, and the feud with the neighbouring landlords, the Dollards.

At turns heartwarming and sad, this is written so beautifully, you can hear the strong Irish lilt of the narrative at all times. Highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

This is a great book. It is all about Maurice and his life. As the reader I was able to relate to the story. I throughly enjoyed reading this.
I had a eARC of this from both NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton in exchange for my review

Was this review helpful?

Gruff old Irish farmer, widowed for a couple of years, contemplates his life, its highs and lows, the people he loves and has loved, events that have shaped his and others’ lives, and it makes for an absorbing read. Regrets? He has a few and thinks about trying to put things right where he can. I enjoyed this story and came to care about the characters very much indeed, especially Maurice himself who is self-aware but not self-pitying, and is really just a wise old man, content with his lot but bereft of the love of his life. It is emotionally engaging without being overly sentimental and I find that unusual these days. Superb writing in that beautiful Irish way I admire so much.

This review seems a little thin but I’d hate to give anything away and urge you to immerse yourself in Maurice’s story. I can’t fault this book and would recommend it without hesitation.

Was this review helpful?

This is a gem of a book. I laughed and I cried my way through it. The story of Maurice's life is beautifully told. I could imagine him sitting in the bar of the hotel. I could imagine his surroundings and I could almost taste the whiskey. I have been in hotels like this in Ireland and I could visualise this one. There has been so much love in his life and so much sadness. His story is simply and beautifully told. This book will stay with me for a long time and I will definitely be raving about it for a long time as well.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for my copy.

Was this review helpful?

This is the story of Maurice Hannigan's life, told when he is an old man, through the people he remembers as he drinks five toasts to them in the bar of the local hotel which has played a big part in his life. It is poignant and compelling and in the style of the most accomplished Irish writers. Anne Griffin says she has had advice and support from her friend, John Boyne, who is a favourite author of mine. I believe this is her debut book. I hope she writes another one with the depth and truth that this one has.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book - once I had started hearing about Maurice’s life I wanted to keep reading. Heartwarming, poignant and life affirming. A joy to read.

Beautifully written you fully appreciate the highs and lows of his life as he toasts the five people who had such an impact on him. I soon realised what the ending would be but wanted to journey with him.

Was this review helpful?

This storey is a memoir of the main characters life. He is explaining to his son, how, why and when things happened and there impact on his life and others around him. He is setting things right before it is time for him to die. I really enjoyed it, it has mystery, love and life...

Was this review helpful?

My thanks to Sceptre and Netgalley for the copy of this ebook in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
A point to note; I do not do spoilers or dwell on the plot and story. If you want these I suggest you read the publisher's blurb and other reviews - my interest is in the author and her/his craft.
Well, pull up your chair closer to the fire - prepare to read the book in one session. This is literature, this took me back to my youth when I was first discovering the pleasures of reading. Anne Griffin is a talent she has honed her craft a winner all the way to the line, for a debut it is a wonder.
I cannot recommend this volume enough. Buy it and treasure is - you will not regret it. Bring on the next novel.

Was this review helpful?

Totally totally magnificent. I don’t think a book has provided me such an emotional punch since I read Five People. Maurice’s voice is so convincing and the raw honesty leaves you breathless.

Was this review helpful?

This beautiful novel will undoubtedly appear in the end of year reviews as one of the Books of the Year, so read it first. You won't be able to put it down and then it will live with you for a long time afterwards.
A stream-of-consciousness narrative, told by an 84 year old farmer, with typical Irish warmth and humour, in a one-sided conversation with his absent son. Maurice Hannigan's history is told in the form of five toasts to key figures in his life. His whole life had been affected by undiagnosed dyslexia, leaving everyone, including himself to believe him to be 'thick', but with great tenacity he has risen in prosperity as the Dollards, the hated squirearchy, fall.
Not an emotionally articulate man, Hannigan re-evaluates choices he made and so much of the time I was reading I kept hearing Frank Sinatra singing "Regrets, I've had a few ...I've loved, I've laughed and cried...I've had my fill, my share of losing...And now,… the end is near...And so I face the final curtain..." Hannigan's regrets are suffused with love for Sadie and for Kevin, love he had found it difficult to express.
Even though you think you will know how it will end, you can't put it down. It will finally leave you with a lump in your throat and tears in your eyes. It is hard to believe that this is a debut novel. Anne Griffin writes from the heart in the voice of an unforgettable Irishman. It will make a wonderful film!

Was this review helpful?

A story mainly told in the narrative, with little dialogue. Maurice Hannigan, an old man reminiscing about his life and events which he went through that shaped his life, and made him the man he became. A man of his time!
Not the type of book that I would usually choose to read, but almost from the beginning I became completely immersed in Hannigan’s story, his family, relationships, experiences at school, and the harsh, challenging land which he worked so hard on.
Hannigan has always been a strong character, though at certain points in his life has come close to breaking. The story completely draws you in with the author’s skillful, emotive writing. One minute you like this tough, strong character who has suffered hardship and cruelty, then at times, you think he has been too harsh.
A complex character! But there is also subtle humour in the story. One minute you are feeling deep empathy for this likeable character, then laughing out loud at some of the events that Maurice is recalling. The chapter about Norissa, (his wife’s sister), is particularly amusing. I recommend this wonderful story, and would love to read other books by this author.

Was this review helpful?