Nora Webster
Nora Webster
Book Brief
400
Novel • Fiction
Wexford, Ireland • 1960s
2014
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Nora Webster by Colm Tóibín follows a young widow in 1960s rural Ireland, Nora Webster, who grapples with the challenges of raising her four children and financial hardship following her husband's death, navigating her profound grief while trying to provide stability and emotional support to her family. Topics include death and grief.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Emotional
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
28,928 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Nora Webster by Colm Tóibín is widely praised for its introspective portrayal of a widow's journey through loss in 1960s Ireland. Critics commend Tóibín's evocative prose and deep character exploration, making Nora's emotional struggles relatable. However, some feel the narrative pace is slow and may lack action. Overall, it's a poignant, character-driven novel.
Who Should Read Nora Webster?
Readers who enjoy character-driven narratives with deep emotional and psychological insight will appreciate Nora Webster by Colm Tóibín. Fans of Brooklyn by the same author or The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry will find this exploration of a woman’s personal journey through grief and self-discovery compelling.
28,928 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Nora Webster is set in the same small town of Enniscorthy, Ireland, which is featured in several of Colm Tóibín's other works, such as Brooklyn.
Colm Tóibín drew upon his own experiences of growing up in a widowed family for the creation of the character Nora Webster.
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Tóibín's novel explores themes of resilience and personal transformation, which are recurrent in his literary works.
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400
Novel • Fiction
Wexford, Ireland • 1960s
2014
Adult
18+ years
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