Just a quick note before my review: I’ll be posting during the next three weeks from various locations in the U. S., and Europe. So, my reviews may come out at funny times or may even be sporadic. I hope not.
The Wren, The Wren is the story of three generations of an Irish family and how they are affected by the desertion of a father.
The first section of the novel is narrated by Nell, the granddaughter of the Irish poet, Phil McDaragh. At first, her section is delightful—exuberant, funny, it made me laugh out loud. But then she unfortunately falls in love with Felim, neglectful and abusive.
The next section is from the point of view of Carmel, Nell’s mother and Phil’s daughter. She has a close relationship with Nell until Nell’s teen years, but she is haunted by memories of her father, who deserted his family while Carmel’s mother Terry was ill with cancer. It is Carmel’s memory that the last thing he did before he left was throw a tantrum about a missing wristwatch, which Carmel later spots on his wrist during a TV interview.
We briefly see a few things from Phil’s point of view, mostly about his own childhood, and chapters are separated by his poetry or by old songs translated from Celtic. There is a lot of bird imagery in all the sections. The McDaraghs are conscious of birds.
This is a powerful novel about lasting damage from a harmful act and the time it can take to heal. It is often funny, with a dry humor, and just as often sad.
What? Me Read? 
The granddaughter’s name was Nell, wasn’t it? I reviewed this for Shelf Awareness and agree with you about the potent theme, but overall I was underwhelmed compared to other books I’ve read by Enright.
Where will you be traveling? I wish you a safe and fun time.
Did I get it wrong? Sometimes I can’t remember characters’ names.
I know I tried to look this up. I don’t know where I came up with Bess. I’m traveling now and can’t look at the book, but I’m assuming you’re right, because Nell sounds right.
(I double checked and it’s Nell. Bess is an understandable alternative: four letters, E in the middle, double consonant at the end!)
Thanks! I went in and fixed it this morning. Big oops!
Someone in the book must have been named Bess, because I looked back at the book and grabbed the wrong name.
I have this one in my TBR stack – had the great opportunity to see Enright earlier this year and I’ve kept the notes I took to look back on when I finally get to reading Wren.
Nice!
Have safe travels – and this sounds like another good one from Enright, on my list!
Thanks! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.