A History of Loneliness

A History of Loneliness

from the bestselling author of The Heart’s Invisible Furies

Summary

'Gripping, harrowing and extremely moving... A painfully page-turning read...' - The Sunday Times

Clonliffe Seminary, 1972. Odran Yates arrives after his mother informs him that he has a vocation to the priesthood. He is full of ambition and hope, dedicated to his studies and keen to make friends.

Forty years later, Odran's devotion has been challenged by the revelations that have shattered the Irish people's faith in the Church. And when a family tragedy opens wounds from his past, he is forced to confront the demons that have raged within a once-respected institution, and recognize his own complicity in their propagation.

From the award-winning author of The Heart's Invisible Furies, comes this courageous and intensely personal tale.
Readers are moved by A History of Loneliness:
***** 'Captivating, absorbing, heart-wrenching. A must read.'
***** 'A really powerful story from an author renowned for writing such stories.'
***** 'One of the most moving books I have ever read.'

Reviews

  • An urgently compelling story of power, corruption, lies and self-deceits, the damage that happens when we turn our eyes from wrong. Anyone who wants to know what happened in the Irish Catholic Church needs to read this brave, righteously angry and stunning book. Some of us have long wondered what it would be like if a master storyteller turned his powers to this theme. Now we know.
    Joseph O'Connor

About the author

John Boyne

John Boyne is the author of sixteen novels for adults, six for younger readers, and a collection of short stories. His 2006 novel The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas has sold more than 11 million copies worldwide and has been adapted for cinema, theatre, ballet, and opera. His many international bestsellers include The Heart's Invisible Furies and A Ladder to the Sky. He has won four Irish Book Awards, including Author of the Year in 2022, along with a host of other international literary prizes. His novels are published in sixty languages.


Twitter: @JohnBoyneBooks
Instagram: @JohnBoyneAuthor
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