Only Say the Word

Perhaps I'll read a thousand books in my life, hopefully more. Few will impact me as this one has, on so many levels. Easily the most beautifully written story I've ever read, this book is filled with wonderful imagery--vividly-descriptive poetic prose that stirred all my senses and tugged at the full range of my emotions. I smiled. I welled up and shed a tear or two. This is exactly how I aspire to write. On a personal level, I was blessed to begin reading this novel in Ireland at a time when love was very much on my mind and in my heart. Such confluence certainly lent magic to my reading experience. I will savor much more of Niall Williams' work in the very near future. Life is too short to put it off.

Another beautifully written book with lyrical prose calling the reader to the west of Ireland. The heart and soul of place and character are real; I read his books slowly because I don't want to finish them.