The Dazzling Truth: A Novel by Helen Cullen

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Poised to celebrate Christmas Eve on a beautifully scenic island off the coast of Ireland, the Moone family’s holiday is instead marred by tragedy. So begins Helen Cullen’s stirring family saga, THE DAZZLING TRUTH. Maeve and Murtagh Moone’s love story began in 1978, at Trinity College. As an aspiring actress and potter respectively, the two creative spirits were drawn to each other in an intense and lasting way, able to withstand almost anything, even Maeve’s bouts of crippling depression and anxiety. For a short time, anyway.

Marriage and children are the next chapters in the Moone family story, but Maeve struggles to reconcile her old life with that of the wife and mother she is supposed to be. Until one heartbreaking Christmas Eve in 2005 changes everything. Now each member of the Moone family must learn to confront the past on their own, until one dazzling truth brings them back together towards a future that none of them could have predicted. Except perhaps Maeve herself.

my thoughts:

Wow. What a story. I am smitten. I just LOVED Helen Cullen's novel, The Dazzling Truth, to bits. It was superb.

Maeve and Murtagh have four kids. They live on an isolated island just off the Irish coast. They are the embodiment of simple living.  And, they are also a family with problems just like anyone else.  The couple met at Trinity College and have been together ever since. Decades pass by and a tragedy strikes. Now the family must find a way to deal with it and confront the past and face their futures. Its a heartbreaking, fascinating, and gripping story. I fell in deep with this book. It was just sooo good. Reading about Maeve and her depression was emotional and a bit haunting. I found myself lingering over pages and thinking about Maeve's description of her 'Old Crow' - definitely tugged at my heart.

Cullen has written a terrific story about mental illness that is raw, personal, and authentic. There are moments of lightness in the story, which brings some balance to it. The characters are unforgettable and the story itself is unputdownable. This is one book that you won't want to miss.

I would happily recommend The Dazzling Truth to fans of Cullen's work and anyone looking for their next great read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!