Genre
novel, fiction
Setting and Context
Dublin, end of 20th century
Narrator and Point of View
Narrator: the main character Veronica
Point of View: first person
Tone and Mood
Tone: depressed
Mood: depressed, nightmarish
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist: Veronica; Antagonist: Lamb Nugent
Major Conflict
Following the death by suicide of her beloved brother Liam, Veronica has to cope with preparing his funeral but also with guilt for keeping a secret from their childhood that she believes shaped Liam's path.
Climax
After Liam's wake, Veronica escapes her family and finds herself on an airport, where she finally decides to tell her siblings what happened with Liam and Nugent.
Foreshadowing
"The seeds of my brother's death were sown many years ago." - Chapter 3
Understatement
"And I had to be polite to him, and apologise a little that my brother had died all over his Thursday afternoon." Chapter 4
Allusions
"I must ask his name again. (Azrael)" - Chapter 12
The name of the undertaker that will take care of Liam's body. The name is ironic in itself, but to Veronica the person as well looks like someone you see after you've seen the worst thing.
Imagery
Imagery of houses as reflections of life lived, comfort and secrets hidden is present through the novel.
Paradox
"There is nothing as tentative as an old woman's touch; as loving or as horrible." - Chapter 3
Parallelism
"Goodbye Vee
Goodbye
Goodbye" - Chapter 4
Veronica seeing and talking to the ghost presence of her dead brother.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Twelve futures - referring to twelve children Veronica's mother gave birth to.
Personification
"Or I feel his absence laughing at me." - Chapter 4
