Himself

Jess Kidd

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magical realism

mystery and dark comedy

irish village of mulderrig

communication with the dead

mother's disappearance

quirky supporting cast

rich backdrop of the 1970s

dark secrets and village lore

humorous writing style

poetic writing style

brisk pacing with short chapters

enchanting and humorous storytelling

central figures mahony and mrs. cauley

'Himself' by Jess Kidd is a captivating blend of magical realism, mystery, and dark comedy set in the small Irish village of Mulderrig. The story follows Mahony, a charming young man with the ability to communicate with the dead, as he returns to his birthplace to uncover the truth about his mother's disappearance. Alongside a cast of quirky characters, both living and dead, Mahony navigates through secrets, murder, and dark moments, all while embracing the enchanting and humorous writing style of Jess Kidd.

Characters:

The characters are vivid and quirky, with Mahony and Mrs. Cauley standing out as central figures in the story, enriched by a colorful supporting cast.

Writing/Prose:

The author employs a beautifully crafted, poetic writing style that combines humor with elements of magical realism.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around Mahony, who returns to his hometown to investigate the truth behind his mother’s disappearance, revealing dark secrets and village lore.

Setting:

The story unfolds in the enchanting and mystical village of Mulderrig, Ireland, in the 1970s, providing a rich backdrop for the unfolding drama.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk with short chapters, though it can occasionally feel hurried or disconnected.

For Mulderrig is a place like no other. Here the colours are a little bit brighter and the sky is a little bit wider. Here the trees are as old as the mountains and a clear river runs into the sea. Pe...

Notes:

The story is set in Ireland, primarily in the village of Mulderrig.

The main character, Mahony, was left at an orphanage as a baby and returns to find out about his mother.

His mother, Orla Sweeney, was seen as the 'curse of the town' and her story unfolds through Mahony's investigation.

Mahony has the ability to see and communicate with the dead, a trait he shares with his mother.

The plot alternates between Mahony's present-day search and events from 1950 when Orla was murdered.

Prominent characters include Mrs. Cauley, a former actress helps Mahony navigate the town's secrets.

The novel combines elements of dark comedy, magical realism, and murder mystery.

Mahony's arrival in Mulderrig, as a handsome young man, stirs up the townspeople, many of whom harbor secrets about his mother.

The book explores themes of human nature, community secrets, and social stigma towards women in the 1970s Ireland.

Jess Kidd’s writing features rich descriptions of Irish culture and folklore, bringing the setting to life.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Himself include themes of murder, child abandonment, female repression, and violence, which may be distressing to some readers.

Has Romance?

There is a medium presence of romance in the story, primarily through the character of Mahony and his interactions with others, particularly Shauna.

From The Publisher:

A charming ne'er-do-well returns to his haunted Irish hometown to uncover the truth about his mother in this "supernaturally skilled debut" (Vanity Fair) and turns the town-and his life-upside down.

Having been abandoned at an orphanage as a baby, Mahony assumed all his life that his mother wanted nothing to do with him. That is, until one night in 1976 while drinking a pint at a Dublin pub, he receives an anonymous note implying that she may have been forced to give him up. Determined to find out what really happened, Mahony embarks on a pilgrimage back to his hometown, the rural village of Mulderrig. Neither he nor Mulderrig can possibly prepare for what's in store…

From the moment he arrives, Mahony's presence completely changes the village. Women fall all over themselves. The real and the fantastic are blurred. Chatty ghosts rise from their graves with secrets to tell, and local preacher Father Quinn will do anything to get rid of the slippery young man who is threatening the moral purity of his parish.

A spectacular new addition to the grand Irish storytelling tradition, Himself "is a darkly comic tale of murder, intrigue, haunting and illegitimacy…wickedly funny" (Daily Express).

Ratings (7)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (1)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (2)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (17):

Read It (6)
Want To Read (10)
Not Interested (1)

1 comment(s)

ColorfulLeo92

Did Not Like

2 months

Sadly not a story for me

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About the Author:

Jess Kidd is the award-winning author of Himself, Mr. Flood's Last Resort, and Things in Jars. Learn more at JessKidd.com.

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