History of the Rain Audiobook By Niall Williams cover art

History of the Rain

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History of the Rain

By: Niall Williams
Narrated by: Jennifer McGrath
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We are our stories. We tell them to stay alive or keep alive those who only live now in the telling. In Faha, County Clare, everyone is a long story....

Bedbound in her attic room beneath the falling rain, Plain Ruth Swain is in search of her father. To find him Ruthie must first trace the jutting jaw lines, narrow faces, and gleamy skin of the Swains from the restless Reverend Swain, her great-grandfather, to her father, Virgil - via pole-vaulting, leaping salmon, poetry and the 3,958 books piled high beneath the two skylights in her room.

©2014 Niall Williams (P)2014 W F Howes Ltd Genre Fiction Literary Fiction

Critic reviews

"Extremely moving, poignantly capturing Ruth's doomed childhood relationship with her twin brother. By the final chapter I was weeping." ( Sunday Times)
"A rambling, soft-hearted Irish family saga stuffed with eccentricity, literature, anecdotes, mythology, humour and heartbreak." ( Kirkus)
Beautiful Writing • Lyrical Storytelling • Excellent Narration • Philosophical Elements • Lovely Voice • Calm Tone
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This book is absolutely unsentimental but still moving and beautiful. The Irish rural characteristics both tragic and comic are given great treatment and yet it has a modern feel because it is set after the economic boom and bust that happened in Ireland. I highly recommend it

Lyrical wonderful book

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As with all of Niall's books, paying attention is a must. Not the book for picking up and putting down over and over during vacation. It's like an American beer, it's best when chugged. This one stands out for me because it takes a subject that most folks have difficulty with - dying or having those we love die - and gives it an entirely and for me, different perspective. It's Grand tbh. The fact that Niall has been able to invent FaHa, Ireland and then pull so many great novels from this quaint, little tight knit, obscure, eclectic and eccentric parish/village/town is nothing short of extraordinary. As stated above, make sure you can stay the curse before you dive into this one (unlike say, 'Time of the Child', where you could pick up where you left off and feel fulfilled) and I promise you it's well worth it. Maybe it's my age, but I'm leaning towards not melancholy novels lately and it's very satisfying, just like this book.

The narrator, as Ruth in this novel, is mesmerizing. Outstanding.

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Beautiful, lyrical, hauntingly sad, but also hopeful. I loved this book, all i want a book to be.

Brilliantly written, in all ways

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I disliked the mention of the numerous books in father’s library but they do play an integral part of the story. Very good but I liked his other books better.

Great writing

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the history of rain is another Exquisite Story by Niall Williams. I've now listened to this is happiness, the time of the child, for love letters. one of my favorite authors who blends incredible storytelling with spirituality and mysticism in my humble opinion. this is a fantastic book, the narration was okay. I highly recommend the same author's book titled this is happiness! also.

Amazing Writing!!!

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The poetry of the prose. I love Niall Williams’ words. He makes each seem inevitable.

A beautiful book.

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What did you love best about History of the Rain?

It is rare to find writing that is at once resonant with meaning while remaining most accessible. This lyrical novel is very specific in time and place yet it graciously and often humorously passes many gifts on to the listener. However sympathetic or not one is to questions of origin, religion, even education..without excessive didacticism, the author offers us wisdom. All you really need is a deep love of books.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ruth and Mary are an extraordinary partnership. In the face of what can only be described as " a difficult life," the two women find ways to excel. The men who surround them are a challenge added to their circumstances.

Which character – as performed by Jennifer McGrath – was your favorite?

It is Ruth's voice we hear narrating and although there are many mispronunciations it feels forgiveable because the earnest tone appears to be a reflection of the character herself.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Many reviewers have remarked on the last chapter already. My choice moments are many: Mary trying to catch Virgil's eye at their first encounter, Ruth's bullies venting their lack of understanding of her at school, a scene where fire engulfs a room, attempting to dissuade a cow from drowning herself....it is very hard to choose from many, many moments that capture your imagination and feelings.

Any additional comments?


The extended metaphors of endless rain and a fast flowing river have been used very often by the authors and poets that are quoted in this novel but the writer manages to create a beautiful new, original version in a very human history meandering through time.

Soul scarifyingly beautiful

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This is a book that I will listen to again- so so much to take in about human nature, loss, pain, struggles of the mind, self worth, resilience, love. Such a beautiful and thought-provoking story. I loved how the author painted a picture of this family’s world in Ireland so clearly I really could see and feel it and the people in it. It’s a long story, but one that left me wanting it to continue. I highly recommend this book.

A beautiful story

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Exceptional narration. I could be happy listening to her read a phone book. Surprisingly captivating tale — so much happened while so little happened…

Slow start, but then I became mesmerized

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I much preferred This is Happiness which has a far better narrator and as well as a more interesting story.

in places the language was beautiful, but overall the story was too haphazard, too affected by efforts to be literary, and in many areas it was just over written. It really could have benefitted from a good editor.

i wanted to love this as much as I do This is Happiness, but it's just not as well crafted.

Just Okay

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