I reviewed the first part of this trilogy HERE, and the second part HERE, if you want to get up to speed with what I’ve thought about the series so far.
I finished the third part of this trilogy in the early hours. It really is one of those un-put-down-able novels where need to see how it all pans out for everyone. And when I say everyone, I mean everyone. Because this is a story crammed with characters, good, bad and those that tread that shadowy land between the two, and plots and sub-plots, and, of course, wonderful writing.
The story builds towards the night of the party at the FitzHenry mansion, and it is a party to end all parties. Six hundred invited, and uninvited, guests appear in this sumptuous feast of a finale as Barry skilfully switches points of view seamlessly to follow each tale through to its sometimes sad, sometimes sweet, or bittersweet, sometimes violent and sometimes meant-to-be ending.
I said in my review of the first in this trilogy (The Wedding) that I love big books where so much story can be told and characters can be put through the wringer and emerge forever changed, and I stand by that. Big books are a lovely indulgence for a reader, and I recommend this to all who long to spoil themselves. Go on, you know you want to.
And if you’re looking for a gorgeous paperback that contains the entire trilogy it looks like this:
