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novelvisits's review
3.0
Original Source: https://novelvisits.com/ninth-hour-alice-mcdermott-review/
{My Thoughts}
What Worked For Me
Little Nursing Sisters – The convent at the heart of The Ninth Hour fell under the umbrella of “The Little Nursing Sisters.” It was their job to go out in the very Catholic Brooklyn community and nurse those who were sick or suffering. Their calling involved what we would consider traditional nursing, but went way beyond that. For those in need, the sisters would also cook, clean, take in laundry, provide company, and sustenance for the souls of the sick. I couldn’t help thinking what a great service these women provided.
A Little Bit of Meddling – When Sister St. Savior happened onto the scene of a suicide, she quickly resolveded to take the young widow, Annie and her unborn child, under her wing. For rest of their lives, Annie and Sally were loved and cared for by the Sisters in this small nursing convent. The sisters made sure Annie had a job where she could have her baby near. They maneuvered another young woman into the role of Annie’s best friend and confidant. They even made sure Annie had for a life of her own. The sister’s adored Sally and were always present in her life, always supporting, but gently nudging her along the way.
Annie – Annie could easily have become a one-sided character under the tutelage of the sisters, but McDermott didn’t let that happen. Instead, Annie became a woman that was easy to admire. With few options, and a little help, Annie built a good life for herself and her child. She was spirited and willing to forge her own way, not always living by the standards of the nuns or the Catholic community in general.
“You spoke up,” she wanted to tell her friend, spoke up against the lousy certainties life had given her: a dead husband, a daughter to raise alone, daily labor, daily loneliness, dull duty. She said, in fact, when next she and Annie met, “An hour or two of an afternoon isn’t much of a sin.”
Beautiful Writing – It’s easy to see why Alice McDermott has been nominated for so many awards. Her writing was exquisite and her descriptions vivid. A a reader, I was absolutely transported to the gritty streets of 1930’s Brooklyn. I knew what it felt like to work in the convent’s laundry room, to a sit on a train next to a dirty, crass woman, or to enter the sickroom of a one-legged patient.
What Didn’t
Slow to Build – I liked so much about The Ninth Hour and still it didn’t really take off for me until the last 20%. As I read the book, I kept feeling like my interest was just on the verge of soaring, and then it would drop again. The Ninth Hour had too much background for my taste. Some of it muddied the storyline which ebbed and flowed for me.
Too Much Angst – The Ninth Hour is a story of the Catholic faith within the confines of this small Brooklyn convent, but even so, I grew tired of some of the Catholic guilt and need for penance for sins big and small. I also grew weary of a storyline having to do with a side character’s dying father and guilt he held over a choice from his youth.
{The Final Assessment}
In the end, I’m glad I read The Ninth Hour. McDermott’s writing alone makes it well worth the time. Add to that Brooklyn in its heyday, and the amazing Little Nursing Sisters with their protective calling and you have a really interesting little historical fiction. Grade: B-
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review.
{My Thoughts}
What Worked For Me
Little Nursing Sisters – The convent at the heart of The Ninth Hour fell under the umbrella of “The Little Nursing Sisters.” It was their job to go out in the very Catholic Brooklyn community and nurse those who were sick or suffering. Their calling involved what we would consider traditional nursing, but went way beyond that. For those in need, the sisters would also cook, clean, take in laundry, provide company, and sustenance for the souls of the sick. I couldn’t help thinking what a great service these women provided.
A Little Bit of Meddling – When Sister St. Savior happened onto the scene of a suicide, she quickly resolveded to take the young widow, Annie and her unborn child, under her wing. For rest of their lives, Annie and Sally were loved and cared for by the Sisters in this small nursing convent. The sisters made sure Annie had a job where she could have her baby near. They maneuvered another young woman into the role of Annie’s best friend and confidant. They even made sure Annie had for a life of her own. The sister’s adored Sally and were always present in her life, always supporting, but gently nudging her along the way.
Annie – Annie could easily have become a one-sided character under the tutelage of the sisters, but McDermott didn’t let that happen. Instead, Annie became a woman that was easy to admire. With few options, and a little help, Annie built a good life for herself and her child. She was spirited and willing to forge her own way, not always living by the standards of the nuns or the Catholic community in general.
“You spoke up,” she wanted to tell her friend, spoke up against the lousy certainties life had given her: a dead husband, a daughter to raise alone, daily labor, daily loneliness, dull duty. She said, in fact, when next she and Annie met, “An hour or two of an afternoon isn’t much of a sin.”
Beautiful Writing – It’s easy to see why Alice McDermott has been nominated for so many awards. Her writing was exquisite and her descriptions vivid. A a reader, I was absolutely transported to the gritty streets of 1930’s Brooklyn. I knew what it felt like to work in the convent’s laundry room, to a sit on a train next to a dirty, crass woman, or to enter the sickroom of a one-legged patient.
What Didn’t
Slow to Build – I liked so much about The Ninth Hour and still it didn’t really take off for me until the last 20%. As I read the book, I kept feeling like my interest was just on the verge of soaring, and then it would drop again. The Ninth Hour had too much background for my taste. Some of it muddied the storyline which ebbed and flowed for me.
Too Much Angst – The Ninth Hour is a story of the Catholic faith within the confines of this small Brooklyn convent, but even so, I grew tired of some of the Catholic guilt and need for penance for sins big and small. I also grew weary of a storyline having to do with a side character’s dying father and guilt he held over a choice from his youth.
{The Final Assessment}
In the end, I’m glad I read The Ninth Hour. McDermott’s writing alone makes it well worth the time. Add to that Brooklyn in its heyday, and the amazing Little Nursing Sisters with their protective calling and you have a really interesting little historical fiction. Grade: B-
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review.
ginny17's review
3.0
There is no doubt this is very well written, but I found it to be quite boring. The story never did quite capture my attention.
ashleysweitz's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I really enjoyed the book and the story and blame my disconnect on being distracted. I genuinely think it'd be a five-star read again in a few years.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Mental illness, and Death of parent
kittbenn's review
5.0
I made a commitment just recently to get off social media/tv and start reading again. This was the first book I chose and it was perfect. Gorgeously written, the story pulls you along and I finished it in two days. I assumed it would be great because Alice McDermott had written it and was not disappointed.
bioarla's review against another edition
5.0
The ninth hour from dawn, according to the Christian liturgy, is the time for mid-afternoon prayers, but in this novel it is also the time when Jim decides to take his life, and later on it will be the time when Annie, Jim's widow, and her lover meets. In this story, McDermott portrays with an elegant and sometimes evocative writing the story of Annie and her daughter Sally, named after a nun. Sister St Saviour is in fact the first to arrive and help Annie on the day when the soon-to-be mother becomes a widow. Annie is given a job in the convent, and Sally grows surrounded by the love of the nuns, mistakenly believing that she is also called to join the order. It is when Sally starts experiencing the outer world that drama hits. McDermott has one of the characters saying "love is tonic, not a cure", but in this novel love is also a catalyst, as it pushes both Sally and Sister Jeanne to extreme decisions.
This is the first novel by McDermott that I have read, and I am looking forward to reading more of her. I have loved her style, sometimes hyper-realistic and in other part more elusive, with actions and stories happening in the background left for the reader to connect.
This is the first novel by McDermott that I have read, and I am looking forward to reading more of her. I have loved her style, sometimes hyper-realistic and in other part more elusive, with actions and stories happening in the background left for the reader to connect.
fionab_16's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
caoimheagleamh's review against another edition
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5