Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published May 2011
336 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publication Information
In the spring of 2002, a perfect storm hits Boston: trusted priests are accused of the worst possible betrayal. Faith explores the fallout for one devout family.
Estranged from her family, Sheila McGann returns home when her older brother Art - a popular pastor - finds himself at the center of the maelstrom. Her strict mother is in a state of angry denial. Sheila's younger brother, Mike, has convicted his brother in his heart. But most disturbing of all is Art himself, who dodges Sheila's questions and refuses to defend himself.
As secrets begin to surface, Faith explores the corrosive consequences of one family's history of silence - and the resilience it finds through forgiveness. A suspenseful tale of one woman's quest for the truth, Faith is a haunting meditation on loyalty and family, doubt and belief. Elegantly crafted, sharply observed, this is Jennifer Haigh's most ambitious novel to date.
"Starred Review. At its broadest, this is a frank and timely story of familial and institutional heredity; at its most personal, the novel is a devastating portrait of a priest who discovers that he's also a man." - Publishers Weekly
"Initially, the story is told more blandly than one would expect from the fine Haigh... by the end, though, the narrative is emotionally involving and ethically concise, reminding us that things are not always as they seem and that we must consider carefully how we judge others." - Library Journal
"Starred Review. Haigh deals with complex moral issues in subtle ways, and her narrative is beautifully, sometimes achingly poignant." - Kirkus Reviews
"Starred Review. Indelibly rendered characters, suspenseful pacing, and fearless but sensitive handling of a controversial subject will make this a must-read for book discussion groups." - BookList
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Photo: Joanna Eldredge Morrissey
Jennifer Haigh is the author of the short-story collection News from Heaven and six bestselling and critically acclaimed novels, including Mrs. Kimble, Faith and Heat and Light, which was named a Best Book of 2016 by the New York Times, The Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal and NPR. Her books have won the PEN/Hemingway Award, the Massachusetts Book Award and the PEN New England Award in Fiction, and have been translated widely. She lives in New England.
Author Interview
Link to Jennifer Haigh's Website
Name Pronunciation
Jennifer Haigh: The h on the end is silent, so pronounced haig
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