The Loney

The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

So much hype surrounds this book, the first novel by Andrew Michael Hurley. Waterstones wax lyrical about it; the Sunday Telegraph said: “Modern classics in this genre are rare and instant ones even rarer; The Loney, however, looks as though it may be both”. A rather effusive statement - gilding a lily that doesn’t cut it for me.

As for genre - where would you place it? Much of the story revolves around an Easter retreat of profound religious importance to those involved. A place known to the participants as The Loney, a strangely isolated area where neap tides can cut a person off in seconds. A hardened religious fervour exists amongst the participants. The narrator is one of two brothers. His sibling Andrew, known as Hanny, has never spoken. The family hope to bring about the miracle of speech for Hanny through prayers at a local shrine, but all does not go according to plan.

Religion is the fundamental core of the plot. There are tense, unsettling moments and unanswered questions. Most of the characters left me cold, particularly Mummer, the boys mother.

The Loney is well written - it’s just not my cup of tea.

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