This Is Happiness - Book Review

This Is Happiness - by Niall Williams

Published in 2019 by Bloomsbury Publishing.

The book is set in a small village, Faha, in the west of Ireland.

It is set in the 1950s, when electricity is being rolled out across Ireland.

The story focuses on a young man, Noel Crowe, who is 17 years old has returned to live with his grandparents after leaving the seminary.

Nothing much has changed in Faha for as long as anyone can remember so getting electricity is a big deal.

The other main character is a man called Christy McMahon who arrives unannounced to work on the electricity poles, and moves in with Noel and the grandparents. Christy jilted a woman at the altar 50 years previously and he has come to ask forgiveness and make amends.

The whole tone of the book and the characters is quiet and gentle. The author has great sympathy and fondness for these people who live simply and faithfully. The characters are familiar to anyone who has lived in a small town - kind neighbours, judgemental neighbours, young people flaunting ‘the rules’, authority figures wanting to maintain their control, outsiders regarded with suspicion etc.

I very much liked this book for its characters and for the way in which the author is very forgiving of human frailty. It explores love and loyalty, tradition and new ways, faith and family, with an endearing touch of humour.

I would highly recommend it for readers who enjoy ‘quiet’ and meaningful books, especially about Irish Catholics.

Beth Gibson May 2025