About:
The Temporary Gentleman by Sebastian Barry is a fictional story of an Irishman who served in the British Army during World War II. This is Mr. Barry’s eighth novel book.
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Thoughts:
The Temporary Gentleman by Sebastian Barry is not an adventure novel, but the literary musings of an ordinary man and his demons. The protagonist, John “Jack” McNulty is a gambler and in the habits of making bad decisions when it comes to his family and finance.
I had a really hard time trying to write about this book. I started about five times only to delete what I wrote. The novel is very good from a literary standpoint, and very interesting in small doses. Each event needs to be read and sometimes re-read as it has major consequences during Jack’s life.
It seems as if Mr. Barry put great thought into the narrative of this book. Each of us, I’m sure, can go back and point to events which, in our opinion, were either a turning point or crossroads in our linear path even though we did not know it at the time – this is what McNulty is writing about.
This novel is a slow read, but not long, the pace is very good but gentle and gives the reader much to think about as a whole, after finishing to read the story and not during the time reading it.
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Zohar — Man of la Book
Disclaimer: I got this book for free.
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I appreciate you review of this book. It can take discipline to read books that don't immediately grab us or entertain us the way a high action adventure story would. I do think they can still be rewarding and worth working our way through.
Hi
I mention this with no motive at all except for well-intentioned respect, but Sebastian Barry has a long list of book credits to his name. The Temporary Gentleman is actually his eighth novel. I have them all on my bookshelf at home.
Thank you kindly for the correction