I found the book a little confusing until I caught on to Haigh's writing style. The characters were somewhat tragic, yet believeable. It caused me to stop and think quite often while reading.

Haigh handles a controversial subject - abuse in the Catholic churck - in an elegant and suspenseful manner.

Quite draggy. Very introspective, without much in the way of innovation. Yawn.

A touching, sensitive, revealing book about judging others, faith, and the motivation behind the decisions we make in life. It really starts you thinking about your preconceived notions about the Church, families, and the horror that may be inflicted on the ones we are supposed to love. Easy to read, and the characters jump to life for you.

Talented author Jennifer Haigh tackles the Catholic priest abuse scandal with grace and skill. She brings to bear her forte of family relationships to a splintered family living south of Boston. Don't be put off by a subject that you might have heard enough of, Haigh's take is refreshing and powerful.

The spotlight fell on Roman Catholic Boston in 2002 with the priest child sex abuse scandal, and this is the setting for Jennifer Haigh's stunning new novel. Art Breen set himself on the path to priesthood at age 14, following his father's abandonment of the family, and his mother's remarriage. His middle-aged step-sister Sheila tells the story of the young priest's austere and unremarkable career. Sheila is the perfect narrator, raised by a devout mother but no longer of the church. As middle child, she has stong emotional ties to both halves of her blended family, devoted to younger brother Mike, yet loyal to Art. When Art is accused of fondling a 9 year old boy, his life, and that of his family is turned upside down. There is guilt is all quarters, but also compassion. Sheila examines the facts of Art's case with precision pacing, bringing to light not just the facts, but the souls of the people involved. A suspenseful, affecting novel, which should win Haigh wide recognition.

Your eyes might glaze over at the prospect at yet another tale of a Catholic family riven by priestly sexual misconduct. But in the hands (or word processor) of Jennifer Haigh, it takes on a subtle beauty. Sheila McGann is a middle-aged woman estranged from her Boston clan. Her brother, Father Art, has been ruined by accusations of abuse. Sheila makes a wonderful and subtle narrative voice; the internal metronome of this non-believer moves between faith and doubt as she tries to make sense of Art’s life, and her own. Haigh’s fourth novel (Mrs. Kimble won the PEN/Hemingway Award for debut fiction) is both unsettling and very rewarding.