In this Irish/Scottish novelist’s emotionally loaded tale, Jerry, a happy, loving and contented alcoholic Irish architect, and his enabling but somewhat bossy retired teacher-wife, Stella, both from County Londonderry, visit Amsterdam in mid winter.
Jerry uses all the tricks common to alcoholics around the world to conceal how much he drinks. He frequently mocks his wife’s devout Catholicism, while she attempts to repay for what seems to have been a miracle escape from death in her youth, by trying to join a holy order of pseudo-nuns.
The unique geography and tourist attractions of Amsterdam are all on display. Their visit to the historical museum of Ann Frank’s house is particularly touching and emotional, with attempts by Stella to connect to the late famed Nazi victim, through prayer, while he mocks the Church as a bunch of hypocritical, misogynous pedophiles.
There are no dates provided but the plot dates it too before widespread availability of cell phones, and the writing is linear except for Stella’s frequent flashbacks and nightmares, especially when they experience a long delay on returning due to a severe storm.
Thanks, Jean.
4/5
The Passionate Reader 