The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne (1955)

This early Brian Moore novel was difficult to read because of his moving depiction of a lonely woman whose betrayal by a relative she never betrayed has left her poor and isolated. ( )

Life has not been kind to Judith Hearne. Having spent her prime years caring for a demented aunt, she finds herself living alone in a Belfast boarding house, virtually friendless, with her Catholic faith crumbling whilst a growing fondness for alcohol blooms in its place. Her last tenuous chance at romance appears to lie with middle-aged bounder James Madden, a fellow boarder who befriends the naive spinster he imagines is an educated woman of considerable means. All this seems like a recipe for disaster and it is; Judith Hearne's modest life quickly unravels in compelling detail.

I don't think I've ever read a more eloquent portrait of a woman in crisis than this one. Many male authors seem to stumble blindly when writing about women, yet Brian Moore has created a complex character who is by turns irritating and heartbreaking. The book is bleak, focusing as it does on the private, almost shameful nature of loneliness and doubt. But The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne is also a masterpiece. ( )

Brian Moore has written a haunting, poignant novel about the loneliness of Judith Hearne, whose thin facade of gentility masks a wounded soul searching for a connection to other people and to God. The desperation of her lonely life is palpable, and the only kindness she experiences is from someone whose rich, full life is a reminder of the emptiness in her own life. Her hope of finding marriage is dashed when the man in question realizes she isn't someone with money to fund his pipe dreams. Her collapse is total and very painful to witness. Judith Hearne will serve as a reminder that compassion is the least we all owe to other people. ( )

Is there more to Judith Hearne than meets the eye? How does she handle her life of solitude?

Plain Judith Hearne spent most of her adult life taking care of her aunt, who has now died and left her on her own, something Judith has wanted for a long time. She has her freedom but by 1950’s standards she is a spinster destined to face the rest of her life alone, a prospect she abhors and fears. Npw living in a boarding house Judith meets Mr. Madden, an Irishman returned home after living in America most of his life, who takes an interest in Judith. Judith is used to life not turning out as planned; her refined upbringing prohibits her from speaking up so she deals with the disappointments in her own way. Will her true self break free and show itself to the world and what, if any, repercussions will there be?

Absorbing and disheartening! I could not put it down; my heart broke for Judith Hearne- I wanted to reach out, simultaneously wanting to shake her and comfort her character all at the same time. Don’t read if you are looking for an uplifting account. As a “spinster” I felt her pain. Overall, I was not happy with the way the author ended the novel---felt like I was left hanging a bit -- but still glad I read it! ( )

This was an interesting, vivid, harsh and somewhat depressing book. Poor Judith Hearne. I can see why John Banville has praised the book.

I really think praymont's review, below, is spot on. ( )