Suffers, Miracles, and Extravagant Love
Title : Four Letters of Love
Author : Niall Williams
Edition : 1998 (Second Edition)
Place : London
Publisher : PICADOR
ISBN :
0-330-35269
Pages : 342
Four Letters of Love written by
Irish author Nial Williams is a magnificent novel about love, live, and destiny. It is a must read novel for everyone who
likes slice of life stories that is full of impressively beautiful romance and
bittersweet of love. It is written in a unique parallel way of stories from
chapter to chapter. The 342 pages bring us the unforgettable journey of
tragedies and miracle of life that makes us
wonders how can love be this extravaging.
Basically,
four letters of love told us about two separated human being who lived in
different side of the country met in unexpected way. Nicholas Coughlan who
lived in Dublin discovered his feelings of love towards Isabel Gore who lived
far away in west coast of Ireland. The feelings weren’t found until he had been
through some tragic occasion that agonize his family. Nicholas and Isabelle’s
life were apart and they were totally stranger. Their destiny was united by the
painting of Nicholas’s father. It happened when Nicholas endeavored to found
his Father’s remains painting which was being a present for the winner of
poetry competition won by Isabelle’s father.
The main
characters of this novel are Nicholas Coughlan and Isabelle gore. They were the
center of the storyline. Nicholas was told as an innocent boy who couldn’t hate
his father in spite of his disappointment.by the time he grew up, he gradually
understood the reasons behind his father action. He loved his father so much
and finally adored him for his decision. Otherwise, Isabelle was a brave girl
who had enough nerve to pursue what she wanted and took any risks. In this
case, she pursued her love for Peader O’Luing and insisted to marry him even
though she had a little doubt about it. She also loved Sean so much, and looked
after him very well.
My favorite
character is Nicholas Coughlan. He was such a sweet boy who really loved his
father. Even though he hated every time his father went away to paint, His
awaits for him were never came to the end.
Once, he followed his father to Clare, the sea. He walked with him
restlessly and sang of Latin song of him. He always tried his best for his
father. That part was one of the best part of him and this story.
I tend not
to say that the worst part of this novel is related with Nicholas. It was not
his fault to like, to fall in love with Isabelle, but it was wrong to establish
a relationship with someone who was married. He shouldn’t let the feeling
flourishing between him and Isabelle. His imaginations of her were too wild and
the action of sending love letters was unforgivable. Fortunately, Isabelle’s
mother, Margaret Gore interfered on their relationship. She burned the letters
before it was sent to Isabelle.
“Whenever my
father stopped for me to catch up and come alongside him was a moment of such
satisfaction and happiness, a swelling instant of love and pride that I had
come with him, that he had let me, that I had seen the other side of him …”
(page 137) that was the best expression that inner Nicholas ever said. A little
action that is full of meaning. We can infer that his father was truly for him,
and he never had a high expectation from his father, he simply wanted his
father stay by his side. He also learned the other side of his father and loves
his father for what he is.
This
masterpiece should be on top of your reading list. I recommend this novel for
everyone who wants to experience the journey of suffers miracles, and
extravagant love.
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