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The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry

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Just finished this last night. Still ruminating on it. It had a sympathetic narrator, a strong first-person voice, some good storytelling. I was heartbroken by the unfairness to the main character, and liked how the way it was told - with two competing explanations for past events - made me think about the validity of memories.

I was slow to invest, though the writing at the beginning was sharp, but by halfway through I was caught up. Then - the ending. Too much clean wrapping up of the mysteries the story held. A coincidence which seems more and more lame the longer I think about it. I was hoping for some solid hints at what *really* happened but more of it left open and unclear. I have this suspicion that an editor asked for more to be resolved at the end, or the author wasn't sure how to accomplish a more mysterious ending. I dunno. Still thinking about it, eager for the book group discussion next week.
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