In which I muse about my book of the month. #booklover #booktube #reading #readingrecommendations #bookreview #bestbooks #fiction #myths #bookofthemonth Book discussed: The House of Names by Colm Toibin
I read House of Names several years ago and it has stayed with me -- powerfully -- ever since. It's a book that one keeps thinking about long after the last page. It's also one of the most successful retellings of ancient Greek drama, and is worthy of its origins. Thank you for such a thoughtful analysis of the book. One can see how genuinely it has affected you.
I have not read anything by Colm Toibin yet, but he is an author who has been on my radar for some time. The House of Names sounds like a very good place to start. The curse/blessing of being a reader, you discover so many books so there will always be books and authors you haven't read because you've been reading something else. I finally read House of Splendid Isolation by Edna O'Brien a few weeks ago, what a reading fest!
Hello, Louise. Love this video. I am a BIG Colm Toibin fan. I'm anxiously awaiting the publication of his new book, Long Island, which comes out here in the US in early May. It's a follow-up to his earlier novel, Brooklyn, which I also loved. I wanted to tell you, too, that I tagged you on a very short video that I posted last week. I've been doing some videos on poets and poetry for National Poetry Month. The other day, I posted a poem specifically for teachers called "Did I Miss Anything." I tagged a bunch of teachers that I'm aware of here on BookTube, including you. I know that you've recently retired from teaching--as have I. I just thought you'd enjoy this one. 😊
Louise I’m pleased you’ve found Toibin - for me his writing is masterful and his ability to take a gap in the known history and provide us with a believable and profound richly observed story is magical. His 2 books on Thomas Mann (The Magician) and Henry James (The Master) were magnificent but the Testament of Mary is sublime. I love his writing! Barbara
Soooo pleased you enjoyed this one, I did too. I think my favourite Toibin is Brooklyn which is just wonderful. I have also read The Testament of Mary which I think I maybe read at the wrong time and The Empty Family which I don't remember at all. Ha!
Trying to catch up on the prompts! Am currently reading Amitav Gosh Gun Island…a snake on cover…and am loving it! Great writing, but most of all a wonderful inter connecting of history, literature, and folk tales. I read House of Names a few years back. There is a very old Cacoyannis film on Iphiegnia with Irene Pappas as Klytemnystra. She is extraordinary, her last look back is unforgettable, and that has sealed my view of this story ever since. My February prompt will be Circe, can’t believe I’ve not read it yet!
Thank you for introducing me to this book… now on my read this month list. (The US cover is very different: blood red cloth cradling a severed marble hand.) I also love Irish authors.
I’ve got his The Blackwater Lightship and Bad Blood on my tbr! 😄 I’ve heard really great things, I’m so glad to hear that you’ve had such a wonderful experience with his writing 😍
I think Colm Toibin is the most incredible author. I am going to buy this book (as always after you love a book!!) I've read Nora Webster, Testament Of Mary, and Brooklyn - all incredible. I think you can't really go wrong with his work from what I've read so far! 💛
I have fallen off the booktube filming life, but I'm back at it and am editing my March wrap up. One of the things I mention is that you inspired me to create this little project where in 2024 I try to read each of the books you mention as your top of the month :) Excited to add this to the list too!
I am a huge Colm Toibin fan and am delighted that you’ve read and loved House of Names. He is incredibly talented and uses a wide range of writing styles in his work. I am eagerly awaiting his new novel Long Island, which comes out next month.
I could send you a copy of Blackwater Lightship? Brooklyn is also lovely. He’s one of those writers who write Womens experience very well. Patrick Gale is similar.
Like you, I've had this on my (electronic) shelves for quite a few years. I don't know why I haven't read it before now but you've definitely inspired me to get to it as soon as possible. I found Clytemnestra such a fascinating character in the Oresteian Trilogy, especially Agamemnon where, despite the name, her character dominates.
Haven't yet read any books by this author but I shall be giving House of Names a go, especially after watching your video. Just had a look over my bookshelves and have found Brooklyn by him. So I had better get started. Thanks Louise.
One of my favourite authors. Read quite a few of his novels but the most popular one The Magician was IMHO has been his weakest. Testament of Mary is thought-provoking but beautiful
I read it a few years ago after finishing the Iliad. Also read Ransom by Malouf, which I recommend to lovers of The Iliad. Try Clytemnestra after a while, too. It's by Casati and is wonderful.
Thanx for the recommendation, he would be a new author for me…I read Perseus several months ago and really liked it…I love the Greek retelling and love your take on those books…after working in finance and management…my BFA is getting some use!
This has been in my tbr for ages. I actually just had it out from the library and it went back unread….I think I’ll have to get it back out again sooner rather than later!
Louise you have encouraged me to take this down from my shelves, gone unnoticed because of its subject but do try one of his earlier novels, The Heather Blazing. I hope you will love it as much as I did. Colm Toibin is appearing here at the West Cork Literary Festival in July - an event not to be missed as he is a powerful talker!
Colm Toibin is one of my favourite authors, read Nora Webster and you will understand why he thinks about the female perspective. It's set in Ireland in the area where my family comes from, it's also I believe written with his mother in mind.
Really interesting. I read and absolutely adored Costanza Casati’s Clytemnestra last year. House of Names seems to cover all the same territory, although there might be a bit more at the end compared to Casati’s book. I had thought about reading House of Names when you first brought it up, but now I’m definitely going to hold off since my reading of Casati’s book was so recent. I wonder which one does it better. I suspect we would each point to the one we’ve read and may not be so anxious to read the other because they cover the same territory. I’m really excited about Casati’s new book, Babylonia, coming this summer. I’ve already got it preordered.
Louise, You have inspired me to read this book! I read Colm Toibin's Brooklyn a few years ago and thought it was wonderful--a very subtle, beautifully written novel.
I will add this to my growing TBR! I loved "Nora Webster" (one of my favorite books) and "Brooklyn" so thank you for bringing Colm Toibin back to my attention.
