On Canaan’s Side

A Novel

By: Sebastian Barry

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

From the two-time Man Booker short-listed author of The Secret Scripture comes a magnificent new novel that is the story of the twentieth century in America.

Told in the first person, as a narrative of Lilly Bere’s life over seventeen days, On Canaan’s Side opens as Lilly mourns the loss of her grandson, Bill. Lilly revisits her past, going back to the moment she was forced to flee Ireland at the end of the First World War, and continues her tale in America, a world filled with both hope and danger.

At once epic and intimate, Lilly’s story unfolds as she tries to make sense of the sorrows and troubles of her life and of the people whose lives she has touched. Spanning nearly seven decades, from the Great Depression to World War II and the Vietnam War, it is the heartbreaking story of a woman whose capability to love is enormous and whose compassion, even for those who have wronged her, is astonishing.

Sebastian Barry’s plays have been produced in London, Dublin, Sydney, and New York. His novel A Long, Long Way was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, as was The Secret Scripture, which was also a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist and winner of the Costa Book of the Year Award and the James Tait Black Prize for Fiction, as well as the Irish Novel of the Year. Barry lives in Wicklow, Ireland, with his wife and three children.

©2011 Sebastian Barry (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“On Canaan’s Side is written with vast sympathy and tenderness. Sebastian Barry’s handling of voice and cadence is masterly. His fictional universe is filled with life, quiet truth, and exquisite intimacy; it is also fully alert to the power and irony of history. In evoking Lilly Bere, he has created a most memorable character.”—(Colm Tóibín, author of the Costa Novel Award–winning Brooklyn)

Lovely and sad

This is the voice of a nearly-90 Irishwoman describing the course of her life, mostly led in America. The narration is perfect, which is so important with a character piece like this. Lily's loses, one after the other, nearly every person, and certainly every man, she has ever loved to the various forms of violence or injustice of the 20th century, but especially to war.

It *is* a sad story, but in the nourishing way that's not just dreary. The writing is very good, very evocative, full of powerful little observations about life and a strong sense of place and love. Lily doesn't perceive herself as a tragic figure, and she certainly doesn't wallow in self-pity, so maybe that's why it leaves you with such a sense of strength. I think the author is trying to portray the personal loss of all the women of the world, especially the ordinary, working class women, that so often is overlooked in accounts of the world's big events. I ended up very moved by it.

That said it seems to start very slowly, and I wasn't sure at the beginning where it was going. There are some surprises, but this is not so much about the story. You have to stick with it, which is easy to do with this narrator. It will grow on you.

Poetic prose brings out the beauty

What did you like best about this story?

This is the kind of story that if narrated as it unfolded would have been too sad. The way it was done was exquisite. An amazing life story told in bits as an old woman remembers back over her life. All of it could be gut wrenching, but the way the story is told makes it easier to hold. It reminds me of the book "English Patient" - another sad story told in poetic prose and a light-handed manner.I liked learning about that period in Ireland - had never thought about how it would affect individuals. I also liked the surprises in the book. You don't expect them.But best of all is the the way the words read by Wanda McCaddon just roll over me. It took the first chapter or two to fully understand her lovely Irish accent - and then it really made the story come to life. I've been recommending this to all my friends.

Sort of a Memoir

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I thought it was kind of drawn out, maybe too long for the content of the story.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Irish History

What does Wanda McCaddon bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A very personal view

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Probably

Irish melancholy--and a tiny bit of mirth

I found this novel profoundly sad, but the narrative voice of Lily, the 89 year old narrator, was so vivid and interesting, that I kept with it. Irish and Irish-American history of the last 100 years as played out in the life of LIly is a dark and fascinating topic, and Barry does a good job with it. I do think that Lily, who is writing down her memories after her grandson has died, would not have quite the poetic and descriptive torrents of words that Barry puts in her mouth, but I was willing to suspend my disbelief because I enjoyed the writing. Good narration by Wanda McCaddon.

If you have read Barry's The Secret Scriptures, I think you will like this one, too.

Don't miss Sabastian Barry

Beautifuly written and read. A slice of American history. Annie Proulx's , Accordian Crimes
and On Canaan's Side tell us a lot about the making of the American experience.

good story, great narration

This book was quite well narrated. The Irish lilt is wonderful. The story of Lily is sad but accepting and compassionate. A book of the ravages of war told in a quiet and lyrical way. I listened to this right after listening to 'Johnny Got Your Gun', another anti-war piece. (that was a very well done book also).

Excellent!

Would you listen to On Canaan’s Side again? Why?

Loved it, but I very rarely listen to a book twice.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The lead character had a wonderful story to tell.

Do not stop - it all fits

As a older single woman divorced and widowed many years ago, I was touched by this novel in so many ways. The feature character is a strong woman responding to what life gives her. I realized that she doesn’t spend a lot of time in self recrimination though leaves herself to acknowledge the possibilities. What appears to be sad turns out for me a recognition of the good she’s known past, present, and future. From there, she decides. Beautifully written.

Another first class moving story from Sebastian Barry

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the wonderful narration. The main character is very honest and loving and gentle and you root for her every moment. The story has the usual Barry theme of someone being pursued and then the many small but sad events in her life. Highly recommend this book.

Excellent Story, Enhanced by the Performance

Would you listen to On Canaan’s Side again? Why?

Although I never listen to a book twice, this was one of the most enjoyable audio books I have ever listened to. The characters were engaging and the reader's accent made them even more appealing.

What was one of the most memorable moments of On Canaan’s Side?

There is a secret about Lily's first husband that took me by surprise. I had come up with a thousand different things he was hiding, but I never hit on the right one. This made the reader compelled to finish the story to find out the secret.

What about Wanda McCaddon’s performance did you like?

Warm accent that brought the characters to life.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A story of personal reflection, courage, and love.