The Well of Saint Nobody

Neil Jordan often writes with a supernatural element behind his stories, but there is usually another kind of intangible elusive mystery that pervades his writing; his characters trying to grasp with vagaries of memory, regret and loss, hoping for some kind of redemption. Like The Drowned Detective, music plays a part in The Well of Saint Nobody, something that remains elusive yet seductive and powerful, and it too can represent other desires or carry feelings of regret.

William Burrows has a love/hate relationship with music. A once famous pianist who was celebrated in his day, William is now unable to play the piano, suffering from psoriatic arthritis, the skin peeling from his once nimble fingers. He comes to a small village in Cork, where he soon finds the need to engage a housekeeper for all the work that would find it difficult to do for himself in his current condition. Tara answers his ad in the local shop, not realising that the woman he has engaged knows him from several meetings in the past when she was a young aspiring musician. When Burrows almost falls through a hole in the ground and discovers an ancient well, Tara invents a legend surrounding it having healing powers.

You might wonder why she would do that, but it's not hard to see the well becomes a metaphor for Tara's life, or more specifically her relationship with William. She wants to know if she has significance, if he can remember the few brief occasions when they met. The myth of the well's healing powers is about wiping the past clean, healing, but to do so also suggests bringing about closure and ending something. And in some ways Jordan's book and his writing in general plays its own part in that, in creating stories that have a tantalising hint of deeper meaning, but there is also some ambiguity in that. The reason stories and legends are created can be to cover up failings and hide the truth. When the myth becomes reality however, it may be that too much reality can mean death.

Not necessarily death in the literal sense but certainly in terms of closure, and that is very much important here. That idea definitely hits home - and hits hard - in the second part of the book. It does constitute a twist or a major development so I won't go into it here, but if the first half was almost wistful, albeit with an underlying current of deceit and self-deceit, the idea of loss and abandonment comes through from a new angle with the arrival of Alastair in part two. So no, it's not easy or right to pin down The Well of Saint Nobody to any one thing, but rather Jordan uses a variety of means to explore those sentiments, feelings and the actions they engender in all their complexity.

In the afterword, Jordan is open about the influences that inspired him to write the book, but they are by no means obvious and he definitely makes the story and its development very much his own. The writing is strong, occasionally beautiful, using musical references for expression of the underlying mood and temperament of the characters, with good choices of metaphors and - despite the importance of the well - without over-extending the symbolism. And when it comes to resolving those complex issues relating to the truth and reality, and how much to keep hidden and open, Jordan does that in a most satisfying way.

The Well of Saint Nobody is a captivating book with gripping characters. Readers will find themselves immersed in the lives of this unlikely family. The flashbacks throughout the story add depth and intrigue to the narrative. The book is slightly spooky in a refreshing way. This is a series of very unlikely events, but they do not feel gimmicky. With its fast-paced nature, it proves to be a quick and engaging read. However, I feel like the description of the well lacks depth, leaving readers with an incomplete understanding of its significance, and some sentences could benefit from a clearer purpose. Despite these minor drawbacks, The Well of Saint Nobody remains an enjoyable and captivating tale.

An old pianist moves into an old rectory after he can no longer perform due to a severe skin disease. A woman in the town, Tara, who lives alone has met the pianist three times before, but he has never remembered. And in the yard of the rectory is an old well that Tara creates a legend for. This is how the story pretty much begins and I was drawn in both by the writing and the curious scenario. I found it hard to put down as the story travels in some unexpected directions. An excellent read.

On one hand, this is almost a fable about how a 'legend' can take flight. On the other hand it is a story about the relationship between William and Tara. William is - or was - a concert pianist who is now unable to play because of a skin disease that has attacked his hands and so has isolated himself to an old rectory in Cork. Tara is a piano teacher who answers William's advert for a housekeeper. what she does not tell him is that they have previously met - not once but three times - meetings that have changes her life although he is unaware. She tells him a tale about a newly discovered well at the bottom of the garden, a tale about healing powers and saints - a fabrication. However when William's hands start to heal, the boundaries between truth and fiction start to blur and secrets start to be revealed. This is a charming little tale and in the beginning, I found both characters unlikeable. I resented the way that Tara was 'playing' with William and I was annoyed - on Tara's behalf - that William didn't recognise her. However, as the story develops, different sides of these two emerge and by the end, I was a fan of William. Just as the well healed William, so my emotions were transformed by the end.

I very much enjoyed this odd little story. The characters were odd, the story was odd and it all came together wonderfully.

Thank you so much for allowing me an early copy of this, please give my personal thanks to the author as well as yourselves at the publishing company. As a nurse who has worked in emergency care, palliative care, and now intensive care, the book resonated well with me.

I’d describe this book as realistic fiction. The author has done a fantastic job of creating imaginary characters and situations that depict the world and society. The characters focus on themes of growing, self-discovery and confronting personal and social problems. The language is clear, concise, and evocative, with descriptions that bring the setting and characters to life. Dialogue is natural and authentic, and the pacing is well-balanced, with enough tension and release to keep the reader engaged.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

If you start reading this novel and after the first few chapters become tempted, as I was, to give up, DON'T! The story starts off at an very leisurely pace. The scene is set in the humdrum lives of a piano teacher and a maestro with whom she once had a fling but who fails to remember her despite her becoming his housekeeper. The details of their daily lives, and the uncovering of a hidden well in his garden go on just a bit too long. But fear not, the story suddenly becomes completely gripping as the repercussions of their long ago affair turn the book into a twisty, emotionally harrowing read. Almost gave 5 stars despite the slow start and this is one my top 5 of '23 so far. I hope it does 'well' for the author!

This was a different type of book for me, but I like to read different types of book. It challenged me because it was thought-provoking, which I did enjoy. As I continued to read, I understood more about the story and the way the author writes. . Reading what the book was about, was what kept me reading, and I am glad I did.
I received an ARC from Apollo.

When a newcomer to the small town in Cork puts an advert in the café for a housekeeper, he had no idea that the woman who would take the job knew him from before and has a secret.
William is a famous pianist, but cannot play anymore due to sever psoriasis on his hands, Tara becomes his housekeeper and rescues him when he falls in a hidden well in his garden. Under a ruse she tells him that the well has a legend of healing and convinces him to let her put the moss from the well on his hands. She is dumbfounded when it works, but it attracts other people.
Meanwhile, the things that she hasn't told him are going to cause problems for them and she has to come clean.
This is a tale of revenge, retribution and rehabilition. A nice easy read.

This started off slowly and I wasn't sure I would enjoy it. The language at the start was a bit confusing also. But as the story moved along, I warmed to the rhythm and embraced the quirky nature of the plot and characters. It was refreshing to delve into a plot that didn't sound like a million others I've read before. The characters were described in a way that led me to accept them as they were, faults included. Part 1 could have stood alone as a book by itself but the inclusion of Part 2 really elevated this novel to a more fascinating and complex tangle of lives.

I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Tara spots William drinking tea outside her local café, she is taken aback. He doesn’t recognise her of course, although he has met her three times previously in life. But she has always remembered him. He used to be a famous pianist, she wasn’t famous, that’s probably why.
William advertises for a housekeeper, Tara applies. This will be her fourth encounter with William, will he remember her this time around?

The book is written in the time period towards the end of the Covid pandemic,
It does move back in time recalling the previous times their paths had crossed.
William finds a Well in the garden of the Rectory, his new home.
Living in a small coastal Town, Tara soon has word of this well spreading like Chinese whispers. It wasn’t her intention.
Was story telling of years gone by started this way? I presume so, with perhaps alterations along the way as stories carry. It had me wondering as I was reading this.
The book is not all about the Well, it is about people, life choices. A strong vocabulary of words, very descriptive writing. I enjoyed reading it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

“ Do eyes change over the years, she wondered, and when the door finally creaked open, she realized his had not.”

This story is unlike others I have read. It shows the mystery of life, the ups and downs and the magic one can create if they start to believe in it.

I really liked this unique story, well written with realistic and relatable characters. It shows how a well known pianist loses his strength and is depended on a woman , her feelings he broke years ago. It also shows how a heart broken woman, still in love with that famous pianist, makes up a legend just to give hope to him.

How magic and mystery unravel in this unique story. I really loved it!

Thank you NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the opportunity to read this story!

The Well of Saint Nobody is a slow burn of a book. Written by Neil Jordan (yes, that multi-hyphenate Neil Jordan, writer and director of The Crying Game, among others), we know we're in for some drama, some thrills, some twists.

We get to know William, with his cracked and flaky and almost useless hands (not great for a pianist), and Tara, local piano teacher, as the layers of their stories are gradually revealed. They discover the titular well in William's unkempt garden, driving the narrative.

This part of the story flits back and forth between the two perspectives, sometimes in rapid succession. The thoughts of William are immediately contrasted with those of Tara. They're captured perfectly as they dance around their discovery of each other.

Things take a turn in part 2 with the introduction of a third character who propels the rest of the story. The direction is unexpected and kept me guessing through the end.

I liked the rich character development, the dense prose, the moody setting (lots of wind and rain in the spring in West Cork). Turns out Jordan has written several novels. The TBR pile keeps getting bigger...

My thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus / Apollo Fiction for the ARC. The Well of Saint Nobody will be published in August 2023.

It’s possible that Neil Jordan is still best known for his filmography as a director with award winning movies that included The Crying Game, but he is also a successful and decorated novelist. The Well of St Nobody is Jordan’s eighth novel and shows a writer well in control of his craft.
Tara has met famous pianist William Barrow three times before but he does not remember any of those encounters. Now, many years since their last meeting and living in a small Irish seaside town she sees William again – he has retreated to the town due to a severe psoriasis that prevents him playing the piano. With some form of revenge on her mind, Tara takes up the position of housekeeper for him. Together the two discover an ancient well in the grounds of his house and, in a mischievous mood, Tara creates a mythology around it. But then the moss from the well actually heals William’s hands and the two become closer, before another, unexpected shift throws their relationship into another trajectory.
The Well of St Nobody is a beautifully observed novel that revolves around two, and later more, damaged characters. William carries with him a genius but also a loneliness that he can’t escape from. Tara on the other hand, always longed for connection that never quite eventuated. Jordan plays their tentativeness and the secrets between them to great effect and then throws their relationship into an intriguing relief in the second half of the novel. At the same time, he lovingly evokes the landscape of the town and its other inhabitants.
The Well of St Nobody shows Jordan excelling at the craft, while his screenwriting experience shines through. The dialogue is sharp, the characters are memorable, and their relationships are constantly challenged and shifting and the mysteries unravel and resolve organically.

Bridget knew him straight away! What was he doing in her village? She had met him three times before & remembered every detail. Did he remember her?
A story of some mythical tales, the healing powers of water & moss & unexpected happenings. I did enjoy this book, not what I expected at all but a great story.

William Barrow finds himself in lonely retirement in West Cork. Once an internationally renowned pianist, a terrible skin disease has attacked his hands and made it impossible for him to perform.

Tara is a piano teacher with barely enough pupils to pay the month's rent. In the local cafe, the elegant writing of a job advertisement catches her eye: 'WANTED. HOUSEKEEPER.'

She begins work at William's house, keeping to herself the knowledge that they have met three times before, encounters that have changed her life. He is oblivious to this, while she spins tales of the well discovered in his back garden, and of a mythical saint, of the healing powers of the moss and the waters that surround it.

The pace is steady, the plotline was interesting, and the characters were well developed. I like to read something different to my normal thrillers and this book fitted in perfectly. This is a well written, mythical tale that held my attention throughout.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HeadofZeus #Apollo and the author #NeilJordan for my ARC of #TheWellOfSaintNobody in exchange for an honest review.

A well written quirky story which started slowly and then took turns that I did not anticipate, coming together neatly in the end.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

What a lovely book. I live in the area where the story is set, so it spoke to me before I read it. A book of two very definite halves, two stories that blend seamlessly. Lives that are lived, not really paying attention to details of fellow travellers or places. Stories invented to keep reality at bay, if the day to day is dry and boring. Hopes for recognition .....not necessarily for actions but for just being yourself. Coincidences happen all the time but if they add up to some, then they must be of purpose. And the very best of all is that if you believe something, and can make others believe it too, it really can come true.

A beautifully written slow burner that was well worth the read. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an arc of The Well of Saint Nobody.

An enjoyable tale that’s full to the brim with Irish folksy charm and more than a hint of myth (or is that blarney?) It’s refreshingly unconventional compared to much of the standard trope these days and I enjoyed its contemporary, cultural, and linguistic allusions. This was also the first novel I have read since the pandemic to have referenced face masks.

It did take a little while to get going and might have benefitted from being more clipped, less loquacious. That said, a pleasant weekend read.

My thanks as ever to Head of Zeus and NetGalley for granting this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m always a little wary of books that seem to include an element of magical realism but in this case I was pleasantly surprised – although others may be disappointed – that it features relatively little in the story, or none at all depending on how you feel about the seemingly healing powers of the moss that grows on the walls of the ancient well. For me, it was much more a story about relationships although, later in the book, it briefly takes a more dramatic turn.

There’s a strong theme of storytelling in the book. For example, Tara’s recounting of the legend of the well takes on a life of its own as people become enthralled by the story and invest in its seemingly preternatural powers. Tara herself is, in a way, yearning for discovery of her own story, hoping to provoke a memory that, for a long time, seems unlikely to happen. Storytelling often involves invention and that too features in the book. If this is all sounding rather cryptic then that’s because I don’t want to give too much away.

The Well of Saint Nobody is a gentle, touching story about healing: physical, mental and emotional. Whether there’s magic involved I leave up to you to decide.

A story that seems a fairy tale, full of myths and dreams. A couple of well plotted and interesting characters, a tightly knitted plot.
I liked this story and liked the storytelling.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine