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Lisa_G
Intense and personal
This is a character driven book that spans 25 years in one woman's life. Anna is a young woman living in Dublin and the story begins when she is 19 and follows her to middle age. It's an intense book about her search for love specifically covering her two long terms relationships, both with controlling men. I found the book to be beautifully written, a compelling but sad read.
Randi_H
Introspective and Contemplative
A Beautiful Loan by Mary Costello is a quietly reflective novel about a woman growing up and trying to figure out who she is. The narrator often looks to other people for validation, gauging her sense of self through relationships and interactions with others. The writing is contemplative, focusing on small moments and inner thoughts rather than big plot turns. Overall, it's a thoughtful read about identity, longing, and the slow process of becoming oneself.
Sylvia G. (Scottsdale, AZ)
A Life in Search
The story of a woman without much inner strength who, unfortunately, turns herself over to men who either betray her or control her, but never allow her to be herself and free. It was well written and I felt great frustration over Anna's missteps and inability to stand up for herself. All along she is searching for meaning to her life.
Carolyn_S
A Beautiful Loan
Set in 1985 Ireland, a young woman's adult life is chronicled from it's highest point, when she falls in love with an older man to its lowest point with devastating circumstances. The focus of the book is her mind's journey to know and educate and improve herself. Gradually her life takes on new meaning. You know where this story is heading as you read, and it is not a happy place. But it is many women's journey.
Mary A. (Lake Nebagamon, WI)
a Book I Would Read Again
This novel is a philosophical and psychological journey of a woman in Ireland. The author delves deeply into the psyche of the characters. Anna the main character at age nineteen follows her journey of life for twenty five years. The novel goes into her first marriage following the trials and tribulations. She feels Peter has stopped her growth. Her second relationship in later years is with a Muslim man. This was most interesting. As Anna ages she realizes she is easily swayed by peoples ideas and opinions. There are lines and paragraphs that I reread multiple times because they were perfectly stated. The ending makes it very worthwhile to read. This is a very satisfying read. Something I will read again.
Nancy B. (Mundelein, IL)
I'm frustrated
The author does a great job introducing the reader to main character Anna, and leading us through 25 years of her life. I was frustrated with her life choices and wish she had more regard for herself. Her first bad marriage to an older man, Peter, was hallmarked by his frequent and sudden disappearances on high adventure climbing trips. In her next relationship with Karim, an ardent Muslim, she allowed herself to be dictated to and stifled by his desire for her to convert. I wanted her to stand up for herself in both relationships, and not let herself be so emotionally trampled.
Beth_B
A Lifetime of Suffocation
A Beautiful Loan might well be the strangest and most depressing book I've ever read. Anna, the main character, suffers from a solitary life that draws her inward so that she is childlike in her consciousness. Self-possessed, yet unable to defend herself when confronted by others --- until, at the end of the book, she meets Christina, a Jungian therapist who enables her to become less haunted.
Margot_Polley
Writing yes, plot no
Mary Costello has a great way with words and some passages are really poetic. But…..I grow weary of novels about spineless woman who float through life. This story has been told a few times too many. Perhaps it would appeal more to you younger readers not ones in their sixties.
