Time of the Child by Niall Williams

WINNER OF THE KERRY GROUP IRISH NOVEL OF THE YEAR AWARD
THE INSTANT IRISH TIMES TOP 5 BESTSELLER
By the author of Four Letters of Love, the international bestseller now a major film starring Helena Bonham Carter and Pierce Brosnan

‘I am utterly obsessed with Niall Williams’ Ann Patchett
‘A rich and gorgeous book‘ The Times, The 10 best historical fiction books of 2024
‘Deeply compassionate‘ Guardian
‘Slow, rich, immaculate … One of the most affecting books I’ve ever read‘ The Times
‘Line by line, it may be the most beautifully written novel I’ve read this year‘ Washington Post

Doctor Jack Troy was born and raised in the little town of Faha, but his responsibilities for the sick and his care for the dying mean he has always been set apart from his community. A visit from the doctor is always a sign of bad things to come.

His youngest daughter, Ronnie, has grown up in her father’s shadow, and remains there, having missed her chance at real love – and passed up an offer of marriage from an unsuitable man.

But in the advent season of 1962, as the town readies itself for Christmas, Ronnie and Doctor Troy’s lives are turned upside down when a baby is left in their care. As the winter passes, father and daughter’s lives, the understanding of their family, and their role in their community are changed forever.

‘Irresistible … A powerful pleasure’ Karen Joy Fowler
‘A story brimming with kindness and courage’ Mail on Sunday
‘A beautifully written novel about second chances and familial love’ Observer
‘A warm and life-affirming story about ordinary people going to extraordinary lengths’ Irish Times
‘My own life feels richer having read it’ Mary Beth Keane

By the author of Four Letters of Love, the international bestseller now a major film starring Helena Bonham Carter and Pierce Brosnan. The third novel in Niall Williams’ beloved Faha series – winner of the Kerry Group Novel of the Year Award

About the Author:

Niall Williams was born in Dublin in 1958. His critically acclaimed and bestselling fiction has been shortlisted for the Irish Times Literature Prize and longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and the IMPAC Award. Williams’ debut novel Four Letters of Love, an international bestseller, has been adapted by the author for screen and will star Helena Bonham-Carter, Pierce Brosnan and Gabriel Byrne. His most recent novel Time of the Child was an instant Irish Times bestseller and was awarded the Kerry Group Novel of the Year Award. He lives in Kiltumper in County Clare, with his wife, Christine.
niallwilliams.com

25 Sep 2025

Time of the Child: By the author of Four Letters of Love, now a major film starring Helena Bonham Carter and Pierce Brosnan by Niall Williams ISBN 9781526675156