Norah Webster

Colm Toibin's novel Norah Webster tells the story of Norah, a young widow in rural Ireland in the late 1960's/early '70's. 

It details the relationship between Norah and her children and follows her in the three years following her husband's death. During this time we see Norah grow as an individual, face up to her difficulties and forge a lifestyle and friendships for herself.

 It also touches on the political happenings in Ireland at the time and the reactions of Norah and her relatives and contemporaries to them. 

Like Colm Toibin's other books it is beautifully written.

Whilst I didn't find myself yearning to pick it up whenever  I did I enjoyed the narrative greatly. He really is a superb writer and captured the mood of life in small town Ireland at that time very, very well. 

My only criticism is that there is really not a lot of big things that happen in the story so for some it may be a little plodding but overall I found it to be a very relaxing, well written read.