Summary:
Daniel Sullivan, a young American professor reeling from a failed marriage and a brutal custody battle, is on holiday in Ireland when he falls in love with Claudette, a world-famous sexual icon and actress who fled fame for a reclusive life in a rural village. Together, they make an idyllic life in the country, raising two more children in blissful seclusion—until a secret from Daniel’s past threatens to destroy their meticulously constructed and fiercely protected home. What follows is a journey through Daniel’s many lives told in his voice and the voices of those who have made him the man he is: the American son and daughter he has not seen for many years; the family he has made with Claudette; and irrepressible, irreverent Claudette herself. Shot through with humor and wisdom, This Must Be the Place is a powerful rumination on the nature of identity, and the complexities of loyalty and devotion—a gripping story of an extraordinary family and an extraordinary love.
My Thoughts:
This is a book that is more than just a story of romantic love but also family love. sometimes parental love is gone but someone steps in and they become that parental love you need. also, forgiveness and understanding. realizing not everyone is perfect and you can't put past hurts on someone else.
This story was funny at times but also touching, and beautifully written. I think everyone can identify with at least one character and/or their situation. There are some great characters although Claudette, one of the main characters, wasn't very likable to me as she seemed rather selfish. I think that the children and their stories were my favorites in this book.
Each chapter jumped narrator and timelines which is fine, if done right. Most of time it was fine and ran smoothly for me but occasionally a narrator would pop up and I would have to stop and try to remember who they were because previously they had been a very minor character. Every one of them had a purpose but it took the whole chapter to see why. Again, each seemed to me to demonstrate a different kind of love/family and also heartbreak. 4/5 stars
Favorite quotes:
"He decided there and then that his life needed footnotes..."
"What redemption there is in being loved: we are always our best selves when loved by another."
Author's site: http://www.maggieofarrell.com/
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