The Good People
by Hannah Kent
4 stars
I loved Hannah Kent’s debut Burial Rites, so I was eager to read her second novel. The Good People takes place in Ireland in the early 1800s. Nora Leahy has lost her daughter and husband and is left alone with her ill grandson, Michael. Michael was once a happy healthy young boy, but now has constant fits and is a burden to Nora. Nora hires Mary to help care for the young boy and turns to elderly Nance for medical advice. Nance suggests that Michael may be a changeling, which leads Nora to become obsessed with the idea. Nora, Nance, and reluctant Mary begin to try a series of “cures” to bring back Nora’s beloved grandson.
Based on a true story, I found the tale fascinating and was eager to learn more about stories of people in Ireland who had believed they were effected by “the good people.” Just as in Burial Rites, Kent’s writing is lovely and surrounds the readers with vivid descriptions of setting. I’m excited to see what she writes next!
Read-alikes
To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey
The Wonder by Emma Donoghue
The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman
