Time of the Child

Synopsis

"I am such a fan of Niall Williams." — Ann Patchett

From the author of This Is Happiness comes a compassionate, life-affirming novel about the Christmas season that transforms the small Irish town of Faha.

Doctor Jack Troy was born and raised in Faha, but his responsibilities for the sick and his care for the dying have always set him apart from the town. His eldest daughter, Ronnie, has grown up in her father's shadow, remaining at home after one chance at love slipped away and another proposal proved impossible to accept.

But during Advent in 1962, as Faha prepares for Christmas, Ronnie and Doctor Troy's lives are turned upside down when a baby is left in their care. As winter unfolds, father and daughter find their understanding of family, community, and themselves transformed.

Set over the course of one December in the same village as Williams' beloved This Is Happiness, Time of the Child is a tender return to Faha for longtime readers and a heartwarming welcome for those discovering it for the first time.

About the Author

Niall Williams is an Irish novelist, playwright, and nonfiction writer celebrated for his lyrical prose and deeply humane storytelling. Born in Dublin in 1958, he has written a number of acclaimed novels, including History of the Rain, This Is Happiness, Four Letters of Love, and Time of the Child. His work explores family, faith, memory, and the quiet rhythms of rural Irish life with warmth, wit, and extraordinary compassion. He lives in County Clare, Ireland.

Publisher
Bloomsbury Publishing

Publication Date
November 19, 2024

Format
Hardcover

Pages
304

Subjects
Literary Fiction · Irish Fiction · Historical Fiction · Family · Christmas Fiction · Small Town Fiction

ISBN
9781639734207