Book review: Haven by Emma Donoghue

I both loathed and liked this book in equal measure and switched to audio halfway through as I struggled with the beginning. I have read a few by Emma Donoghue now and she has a habit of doing small character lists in cramped or isolated spaces. You have probably heard of Room with became a movie.

Haven was a slow start for me, tracking 3 Brothers as they set off on a calling to found a new monastery on a remote island off the coast of Ireland in a time when paganism and clans were still strong.

Having been raised Catholic and gone to a convent school I have a strained relationship with Christianity, specifically with the patriarchal do what I say without questioning me leadership that tends to go hand in hand with it. This is probably why I loathed the lead Brother who did nonsense things and required his followers do other nonsense things with no logic or thought for survival.

It very much brought to mind the story of the person trapped in a flooded house after a storm who keeps saying God will save me when multiple people come in boats and helicopters to offer safety and they keep turning it down being stupid enough not to realise that those were gods ways of saving them.

I was originally going to give book a low rating because I couldn’t stand that character but then I realised my strong loathing of him was the sign of a good writer and excellent story teller.

This might not be everyone’s cup of tea but Donoghue is well worth very frustrated read and there’s definitely a story for everyone in her back catalogue.

Donoghue wrings plenty of narrative sustenance from her barren landscape. Though they are granted little liberty, the brothers each discover inner resources that might otherwise have been overlooked. Trian, from a seafaring family, proves an adept fisherman and, within his narrow bounds, a keen explorer. Cormac tends a meagre garden on their lone patch of workable ground. But soon Artt banishes even these small consolations. A stone altar must be raised, though they lack the barest shelter; the scripture must be copied, though their provisions are all but exhausted. “Divided, we’ll fall,” he insists. He’s proved right, but not in the way he foresees.

**Book Review: Haven by Emma Donoghue**

Emma Donoghue’s *Haven* is a richly woven narrative that explores themes of isolation, faith, and the complexities of human relationships. Set in the seventh century, the story follows three monks—Cahal, the zealous leader; the practical and skeptical Trian; and the contemplative, gentle Aisling—who embark on a journey to establish a monastery on an isolated Irish island.

Donoghue masterfully creates a vivid sense of place, immersing readers in the stark beauty and harsh realities of island life. The isolation serves not only as a physical barrier but also as a crucible for the characters’ beliefs and motivations. The narrative delves deep into the characters’ internal struggles, revealing their fears, desires, and the conflicts that arise from their differing visions of faith and community.

The pacing is deliberate, allowing readers to savor the intricate details of daily life on the island and the evolving dynamics among the monks. Donoghue’s prose is lyrical, capturing both the beauty and brutality of their environment. As tensions mount, the philosophical debates about faith, leadership, and the nature of community become increasingly intense, making for a thought-provoking read.

One of the standout aspects of *Haven* is its exploration of the human condition. Each character grapples with their own sense of purpose and belonging, leading to moments of profound insight and moral ambiguity. Donoghue raises questions about the costs of devotion and the impact of isolation on the psyche, inviting readers to reflect on the balance between personal faith and communal responsibility.

Overall, *Haven* is a beautifully crafted novel that combines historical depth with rich character exploration. Donoghue’s ability to weave intricate narratives around universal themes makes this book a compelling read for anyone interested in the intersection of faith, community, and the human experience. Whether you’re drawn to historical fiction or simply enjoy stories that challenge and provoke thought, *Haven* is a standout addition to Donoghue’s impressive body of work.

Rather late with this review, but I loved it. The sense of frustration and isolation was palpable, interspersed with a subtle humour and fascinating historic detail (as always with this author, impeccably researched).

This was my first time reading a book from the author but I am delighted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading more books from the writer in the future

Definitely one of my favourite books this year! In 7th century Ireland, having had a vision, a monk, Artt, recruits two more monks to go with him in search of a place to set up a new monastery. Cormac is an elderly monk and Trian is just a young man. The three set sail in a boat with no definite destination and eventually reach a fairly barren island, now known as Skellig Michael. The monks are faced with many challenges and we discover that Artt is very single minded, a harsh leader driven by his faith. The question of whether they will survive this merciless environment is always there, with an undercurrent of looming tragedy and tension. I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions; the sense of loneliness, despair and hunger is palpable. Thank you to Net Galley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Haven is a slim, stark story about faith, friendship and what we do to survive.
Artt, Trian and Cormac are three monks from a monastery in Ireland who are on a pilgrimage to build a new sacred place, in the name of God. Artt is the driving force behind this, having been anointed with the vision of the new church.

At first glance, it sounds like it’d be quite a dry read, but Donoghue’s wry perspective, through her characters, makes it funny and sad and poignant. We see it from each of the three monks’ perspectives - the visionary and religious zealot, the late convert who’s seen battle and the new, strong monk who just wants to swim.

The location is, as so often in historical novels, a character in and of itself. Skellig Michael is less of an island and more of a collection of rocks in the middle of the sea, made famous in the most recent Star Wars films as Luke Skywalker’s retreat.

Through the eyes of the three monks, we’re with them as they build somewhere to sleep, to pray and try to figure out what to eat and drink on a big rock, under God’s watchful and vengeful eye. This is the in-depth part of the book, and it’s an interesting read. There are funny parts too, as the monks get increasingly desperate and their faith is tested to greater limits.

There’s symbolism throughout the book, but none higher than the trio of monks, the holy trinity. They may each represent the holy Trinity, as Artt is the Father, Cormac is the Holy Ghost and Trian being the Son. I’d also say there’s a deeper reading in that, where the monks align with each of the holy trinity at different parts of the story.

I recommend this for fans of Emma Donoghue, who wrote Room and The Wonder, both turned into films.

This book's description is very different to others by the author. I really enjoyed The room and adored The pull of the stars yet was slow to read this and I regret not picking it up earlier. The writing is fantastic and I was really drawn in to the details of day to day life. Well worth a read.

Occasionally you read a novel that makes you rethink a period of history or a way of thinking or changing perspectives of what would previously have been considered established concepts – you know, serious subjects, literary fiction. We read them occasionally, because books like that are hard-going, taxing and usually not particularly enjoyable.
'Haven' does so much more work on the hard subjects than most ‘worthy’ novels but in an enjoyable, entirely believable yet historically accurate way, but still at heart it retains the pacing of a thriller.

For almost the entirety of the novel, 'Haven' has a cast of just three characters confined in just one bleak, barren location. Such a small number of characters in a restricted setting will naturally lead to feelings of frustration and claustrophobia between the characters, and also for the reader, but this is flawlessly handled and defines the novel’s depth and atmosphere. Moreover, we care and feel for each of the characters, whether we like them or not, and that is particularly rare in a novel.

Throughout the novel, Emma Donoghue is always respectful of honestly held religious beliefs but still, in that centuries-old setting, reflects very modern concerns, all the while allowing the reader the space to consider their own prejudices and beliefs, whether pro- or anti-religion. Like the very best fiction, you will not set down this book unchanged. I can’t imagine I will read a better book this year.

I feel I appreciated this book but I'm not sure I could say I enjoyed it. The writing was flawless. I found the pace a little slow but it did suit the story. It is an intense, atmospheric read and I found it's perspective on faith and fanaticism pretty interesting. Easily read in a single sitting or over a weekend.

What an interesting read about where do we really fit in, in this world, and do our lives have any purpose or meaning. The covid pandemic caused a lot of people to reevaluate their lives, and this book sums it up nicely as well. Recommended.

I honestly can't decide whether I enjoyed this book. The writing drew me in and the descriptions were so vivid. I also admire the author for writing about such varying topics. Each Emma Donoghue novel I have read has been completely different.

While I was gripped, and I did want to find out what happened to the three monks, I felt the story was really hard going. It was so infuriating in parts and quite slow paced.

I hated Artt. Thoroughly hated him. He was deeply unpleasant, mean-spirited and arrogant and expected Trian and Cormac to obey him without question even when his ideas were preposterous. He didn't treat the other two men as equal companions and instead used religion to justify his own power trip.

It was really brutal at times, especially the descriptions of what happened to the birds. Those poor birds!

The atmosphere was intense and stifling. The isolation, hunger and desolation created a pressure cooker environment. I was half expecting the story to descend into Lord of the Flies. To be honest, had Trian and Cormac decided to eat Artt, I wouldn't have judged them.

I really loved Cormac as a character. He was complex and likeable will a real sense of decency that Artt lacked. Trian too was a empathetic character. I would have enjoyed reading more about the two of them, and less about Artt.

I enjoyed the writing style and reading something different to my usual reads. It was a bleak tale of devotion and the dangers of fanaticism. I was almost relieved when I'd finished it, just so I didn't have to spend any more time with Artt.

You can read my full review at https://mmbbookblog.com/haven-by-emma-donoghue-review/

I love Emma Donoghue but unfortunately had to mark this one as a did not finish. It's set in 17th century Ireland and it's just a bit of a strange novel. I couldn't take to any of the characters and found the narrative a bit confusing so sadly this one just wasn't for me.

A beautifully evocative book accentuating the wild and desolate landscape of the Great Skellig Island situated some 12km west of County Kerry, Island. The story is set in the seventh century, when it is supposed that monks first settled on the Ireland as a monastic settlement. Artt receives a vision whilst at a monastery on mainland Ireland, encouraging him to travel west, with two monks: Trian and Cormac, to found a new holy site. There is no great action in this book; the focus is on the difficult journey, the pious and humble existence of the monks, as they struggle to survive within such a harsh environment, and the rugged landscape. The experiences and plight of the men are depicted so clearly. This setting is now a Unesco World Heritage site that is inaccessible for the majority of the year. Much of the holy monuments erected centuries ago, still remain. It is wonderful.to see history (an approximation of events) imagined on these pages. Raw and beautiful. #haven #emmadonoghue #netgalley

Unfortunately not for me. However I can appreciate the absolutely stunning writing from a wonderful author. I just did not take to the subject matter whatsoever. I will not hesitate to try one of the authors books in the future

This was a slow burn but so worth the wait once it got going. Deeply moving and so compelling, I loved every page and thought about it for days afterward! Terrific.

Donoghue takes us to the 7th century to tell a story about radicalization and fanaticism: In a dream, the famous Irish sage Brother Artt has a vision in which God tells him to take two monks, middle-aged Brother Cormac and young Brother Trian, to an uninhabited island in the Atlantic Ocean in order to turn into into a bastion of God. The three travel to Skellig Michael, shown on the front cover of the novel (the island really holds a monastery which is a UNESCO World Heritage, but its history differs from the fictional version in the book). There, prior Artt requires his two monks to perform more and more unpractical, illogical, and dangerous acts to honor God at the expense of their own well-being and, ultimately, survival.

The text is a claustrophic chamber play about the perversion of faith, about fanaticism (and to me, strangely reminiscent of Imperium: A Fiction of the South Seas, which deals with a wannabe cult leader that goes insane and is an allegory on German fascism). Practical Cormac became a monk late in life after the plague killed his family, younger Trian was given to the monastery as a child and carries a secret that, when it gets revealed, is the catalyst for the finale (although it remains a mystery to me why the author chose exactly that to be his secret - it feels like she just hints at very current debates that do not convincingly relate to the story). The two monks are fantastically rendered characters, their prior and his motivations remain somewhat enigmatic though.

All in all, this novel is atmospheric and beautifully written, but it does not have all that much to say: Fanaticism = bad. Although it's relatively short, it still feels too long. This should have been a novella or a short story.

Significantly dissimilar to the previous works I've read by Donoghue, this novel revolves around a priest and two monks who set sail for a lonely, uninhabited island in the seventh century in Ireland. The main strength for me was the detailed descriptions of the surroundings; they were evocative and really captured the stark journey and final landing spot. the men's sturggles were also well portrayed.
Though there were instances when my thoughts strayed, overall I appreciated how different it was. The finale, in my opinion, was a little improbable, but such is the discretion of the writer! Still, an original and descriptive read.

A beautiful and lyrically bleak account with gorgeous writing. On one hand very different from the only other Donoghue I have read, Room, But also it is oddly similar as two people struggle to survive and maintain their identity in what is essentially a prison.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I'm a massive fan of Emna Donoghue's since. Room. Haunting, moving and vividly told.