Haven by Emma Donoghue

July 20, 2022

Haven by Emma Donoghue

After a prophetic dream where God tells him to found a new monastery in a remote location, a priest chooses two monks to accompany him.  His chosen spot is a small island (really, a large barren rock) inhabited only by waterfowl.  No fresh water, no vegetation, no trees, not even any soil for growing food.  The two monks (one elderly, one young) devote themselves to survival and making it work, figuring out ways to collect fresh water, compost soil, and find fuel.  They manage to "MacGyver" every challenge that they face, until they realize that the priest is most likely an insane egomaniac.

I really liked the two monks and about halfway through, I was hoping they would push the priest off the top of the rock into the sea.  Although the priest is supposed to be focused on God, he really is focused on glorifying himself and how future generations of monks will think he was such a fabulous guy.

Not the best of Donoghue's historical fiction.  I do like the cover.  If you want to try one of her historical novels, try Slammerkin instead.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC.