There isn't any shying away from the hard edges of the world in this slim little tale, but it also features themes of justice, hope, and redemption. The writing is crisp and lovely. The characters and setting are absolutely believable. And though this may not matter to other readers, the Christmasy scenes and descriptions rank up there with those of Capote, O. Henry, and even Dickens. They are why I picked this book up in the first place. But I stayed for the story and will read that story again, many times. This is truly a read for all seasons.Publisher's description:
It is 1985 in a small Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and family man faces into his busiest season. Early one morning, while delivering an order to the local convent, Bill makes a discovery which forces him to confront both his past and the complicit silences of a town controlled by the church.