But I am distracted by two things the author has done: She has, several times, and I'm less than half way through the book, said things to the effect of 'details of which I will get to later.' I find that kind of carrot shows a lack of writing ability.

I thought the premise was unique, since I generally jump to the conclusion of gulity when I hear about a priest accused of molestation or abuse. Elegantly crafted, sharply observed, this is Jennifer Haigh's most ambitious novel to date. Throughout, Haigh demonstrates how the truth can shatter our deepest beliefs - and restore them.Ī gripping, suspenseful tale of one woman's quest for the truth, Faith is a haunting meditation on loyalty and family, doubt and belief. But most disturbing of all is Art himself, who persistently dodges Sheila's questions and refuses to defend himself.Īs the scandal forces long-buried secrets to surface, Faith explores the corrosive consequences of one family's history of silence - and the resilience its members ultimately find in forgiveness. Sheila's younger brother, Mike, to her horror, has already convicted his brother in his heart. Her strict, lace-curtain-Irish mother is living in a state of angry denial. What she discovers is more complicated than she imagined. When Art finds himself at the center of the maelstrom, Sheila returns to Boston, ready to fight for him and his reputation. In Faith, Jennifer Haigh explores the fallout for one devout family, the McGanns.Įstranged for years from her difficult and demanding relatives, Sheila McGann has remained close to her older brother, Art, the popular, dynamic pastor of a large suburban parish. Across the city's archdiocese, trusted priests have been accused of the worst possible betrayal of the souls in their care.

It is the spring of 2002, and a perfect storm has hit Boston.

Faith a novel jennifer haigh