She was born in Dublin, Ireland, received her PHD at Cambridge and currently lives in Ontario, Canada. Her works include Akin, Room, The Wonder, and The Pull of the Stars. In such a place, what will survival mean?Įmma Donoghue is an Irish author and playwright. Drifting out into the Atlantic, the three men find an impossibly steep, bare island inhabited by tens of thousands of birds, and claim it for God. Taking two monks-young Trian and old Cormac-he rows down the river Shannon in search of an isolated spot on which to found a monastery. In seventh-century Ireland, a scholar and priest called Artt has a dream telling him to leave the sinful world behind. Haven has Emma Donoghue’s trademark world-building and psychological intensity-but this story is like nothing she has ever written before. What they find is the extraordinary island now known as Skellig Michael. They set out in a small boat for an island their leader has seen in a dream, with only faith to guide them. Three men vow to leave the world behind them. In case you were wondering, it’s not anti-religious, but wasn’t trying to win you over to religion either. I find the details of how the men survived on almost nothing to be interesting, but I have no idea what the point of the story was. In all, the Robinson Crusoe-style story about three monks was okay. Haven by Emma Donoghue review - Exploring the dangerous dimensions of faith By Ian McFarlane Updated Septem5:56pm, first published Septem7:00am Comments The view from Skellig Michael, the Irish island which partly inspired Haven, Emma Donoghues new novel. After rowing down the River Shannon, they settle on a barren island where survival will take all of their faith and skill.įor some reason, I kept mistaking Haven for a psychological thriller like her bestseller Room, so medieval historical fiction was not quite what I was expecting. He brings two monks with him and the three men search for an isolated place to build a monastery. In seventh-century Ireland, Artt has a dream to leave the world behind. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Little, Brown and Company through Netgalley.

Haven emma donoghue review