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Thomas Murphy: A Novel

by Roger Rosenblatt

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807332,845 (3.61)None
An aging poet contemplates the later chapters of his life while avoiding trips to the neurologist, spending time with his grandson, and falling for a blind woman less than half his age.
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Inventive, lyrical, poignant novel about an aging Irish poet, Thomas Murphy, battling grief, loss of memory, and a gradual decline in his mental health. We follow his non-sequential ruminations, sometimes veering into the realm of fantasy, as he reminisces about the past, comments on the present, and wonders about a tenuous future. His thoughts do not always “make sense” in terms of logic, but they reveal his mental state. Some might call him an unreliable narrator, as we do not know for sure if what he is relaying reflects reality. The language is poetic in many places, as may be expected in a book about a poet. Murphy’s relationships take a central role, including philosophizing about his daughter Máire, late wife Oona, good friend Greenberg, grandchild William, new friend Sarah, the homeless man Arthur, his neighbors, and others. He has a sharp wit, and humor is interspersed throughout.

It is a short book, and this may be a good thing as it takes a bit of brain power to follow Murphy’s thoughts. It’s not for everyone, as it has very little plot, and flits around as thoughts fly into and out of his brain, almost a stream-of-consciousness style. I found myself a bit disoriented at first, but ended up enjoying it quite a bit. It provides lots of food-for-thought on living life to its fullest. Recommended to readers of books on mental issues, and those who enjoy introspective, philosophical subject matter.

There are so many great quotes in this book, it has hard to select only a few. Here are several of my favorites (and a bit of humor):

“Bring it, Mr. Death, with your boney jaw and creepy cloak and outdated farming tools.”

“I figured you must be pretty good, he says. I could use a good poet. That’s a new one on me, I tell him. I never heard of anyone who could use a poet, good or bad.”

“The idea is to live a simple life, which is constricted and has boundaries, but to dream without limits, to have that power.”

“I should know by now, people are not to be explained or reformed.”

“In general don’t despair, and if you must, don’t force your despair on others. It’s unfair to add your despair to theirs.”

“Everyone is disabled, she said. Love exists for our disabilities.” ( )
  Castlelass | Oct 30, 2022 |
While this book is not typical of what I would normally read, I'm glad I picked it up. It's quite beautiful, and also strange at times, when you're reading about imaginary musings. Enjoyable and peaceful. ( )
  PJ817 | Oct 9, 2019 |
Have I told you about this? I read it quickly and enjoyed it but not sure how much of it will remain with me. We'll see. ( )
  heggiep | Oct 10, 2017 |
Despite confusing opening which I finally sorted out after three readings, THOMAS MURPHY quietly soared and only rarely dived.

It offers a great, funny, and cathartic exploration of "Murph's" character as he gradually declines into mild dementia "in the final stages of ambling."

There are many indelible images, from the initial dropping of the turf through counting with the brain scan doctor to Arthur the Bear.

Over the top parts also are frequent, from REGRETS to "Souls" and the ingratiating Sarah, who both Murphy and readers
could have done without. Her betrayal is the only place, along with his daughter deserting him, where the plot falters and feels forced.

(The by now requisite animal cruelty is a page I folded over - why does nearly every modern novelist feel compelled to include
another horrifying incident, along with clapboard houses and First Light...? Enough.)

It will be a rare reader who does not head to the computer to peruse "cathaoir SYNGE." ( )
  m.belljackson | Jan 5, 2017 |
I picked this book up at Carmichael Books in Louisville Kentucky. It was on the front impulse purchase table, and this was exactly why I bought it. I was aware of Roger Rosenblatt's reputation as a writer but I hadn't read his work, so I decided to give it a try.

As I started the book, I was not at all impressed. It is kind of a different book, more of an extended short story, a novella rather than a novel. The book is an extended conversation that Thomas Murphy, an older and famous poet, has with himself. He recounts his life in a way that he wanted to recount, he describes the people in his life the same way. We get some details about his present as well. The stories and poems are interesting but not spellbinding, and that is exactly its charm: this is not a pulse raising action novel, it is not a hot and steamy romance. It is a slow and gentle walk through Thomas Murphy's head as he walks through, slowly, and gently, his memories of his life.

It isn't for everyone, but it became quite charming and relaxing once I got off the roller coaster of modern life and decided to read it in my small and relaxed moments. I had to work to get relaxed before I read it, it won't relax you. But once I was able to slow myself down it was wonderful. ( )
  pw0327 | Sep 4, 2016 |
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An aging poet contemplates the later chapters of his life while avoiding trips to the neurologist, spending time with his grandson, and falling for a blind woman less than half his age.

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