Beautifully written. The interview with the author at the end helped me understand the Catholic themes underlying the story. I'll read again in a few years. ( )

Here's what I wrote in 2008 about this read: "This was good. Charming Billy was an extreme alcoholic, but with a history and set of circumstances which tormented him. His daughters come to understand him fully only after his death." ( )

The story of an extended family centered around the funeral of charming Billy, an alcoholic obsessed with his lost early love. About the disappointments of life, memories, redemption, and love. ( )

Framed by the narrative of the family funereal gathering for the late Billy Lynch, the novel recounts Billy's life, his early lost love, his struggle with alcohol, his never-lost charm. We're also given the lives of other members of the family and their close, everyday relationships, especially how Billy's live - and death - have influenced them. The real charmer here is the story itself, and the lovely way it is told, through the sweetness of its quotidian details, the mundane made holy, in some way. So excellently written, this one. Definitely recommended. ( )

Billy Lynch was a charmer and an alcoholic. He was a part of a very tightly knit Irish American family and extended family. When he was young, he and his cousin, Dennis, met two girls from Ireland who were working as nannies for a wealthy family on Long Island. Billy fell madly in love with Eva; Dennis dated Mary, the sister. Eva had to return to her family in Ireland and Billy, determined to marry her, sent money and letters to her constantly. She never returned. Mary told Dennis that Eva had taken the money and married another in Ireland. Dennis, hating to hurt his friend, told him that Eva had died. Billy grieved, but life went on.

Dennis went on to marry another but the two cousins remained as brothers. Dennis had a family and Billy went on to marry Maeve, the only daughter of a widowed alcoholic. Billy also turned to drink and Maeve quietly took care of both father and husband.

The book opens with the scene after Billy's funeral. He was found in the street drunk. The family reminisces and the truth is told. No one is ever sure if Maeve knows about the "Irish girl" or not.

Not a lot really happens in the book as it is more of a character study than plot although the lie Dennis tells colors the rest of Billy's life. It's a story of family loyalty, past memories, and sadness while always "carrying on." Maeve seems to me to be just another one of those Irish women whose life is dominated by family and events beyond their control.

(At the last paragraph, Maeve winds up marrying Dennis). ( )