{"product_id":"this-is-happiness","title":"This Is Happiness","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eShortlisted for Best Novel in the Irish Book Awards\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLonglisted for the 2020 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrom the acclaimed author of Man Booker-longlisted \u003ci\u003eHistory of the Rain\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e‘Lyrical, tender and sumptuously perceptive’ \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e‘A love letter to the sleepy, unhurried and delightfully odd Ireland that is all but gone’ \u003ci\u003eIrish Independent\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSet in the quaint village of Faha, County Clare, \u003ci\u003eThis Is Happiness\u003c\/i\u003e by Niall Williams is a heartwarming and nostalgic tale that captures the essence of Irish life in the 1950s. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of seventeen-year-old Noel Crowe, who, having just left the seminary, returns to his grandparents’ home in Faha, a place untouched by the modern world and perpetually drenched in rain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, change is afoot when the relentless rain mysteriously stops, marking the arrival of electricity to the area—a monumental event for this remote community. Simultaneously, the enigmatic Christy McMahon arrives to lodge with Noel's grandparents, bringing with him a sense of intrigue and a past shrouded in secrets. Christy's presence alters Noel's perspective, and an unexpected friendship blossoms between the two, transforming Noel's journey of self-discovery and his understanding of love, loss, and the passage of time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs they navigate the transformative period together, Christy unveils parts of his own illustrious past, imbuing life in Faha with a newfound vibrancy and sparking a profound connection with the world and its history. The relationship between Noel and Christy deepens, unveiling layers of emotion, wisdom, and storytelling that paint a vivid picture of a bygone era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThis Is Happiness\u003c\/i\u003e is not just a coming-of-age story but a sweeping, lyrical homage to Ireland's rural heritage. Niall Williams' prose is lush and poetic, tenderly depicting the slow, enchanting rhythm of life in Faha. The book celebrates the small joys and profound connections that define human existence, rendering every moment, every character, and every drop of rain rich with meaning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith its evocative narrative and vivid portrayal of community and transformation, \u003ci\u003eThis Is Happiness\u003c\/i\u003e is a deeply felt, masterfully crafted novel that invites readers to savour the timeless beauty of life's simplest, yet most profound moments. Niall Williams fashions a tale where the ordinary is rendered extraordinary, offering a serene yet profound exploration of happiness, memory, and change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45760062554348,"sku":"9781526609359","price":21.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781526609359_19e08190-23e5-4466-8dd9-245b262c366e.jpg?v=1732611646","url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/products\/this-is-happiness","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}