Book review: The Maker Of Swans by Paraic O’Donnell

The Maker of Swans is the intriguing tale of Mr. Crowe, his mute ward Clara, his authoritative adversaries and his ever-loyal servant, Eustace.

A delightful mix of paranormal and gothic, this novel is richly descriptive and the reader cannot help but try and cast the main characters in their mind, as the narrative is quite beautifully filmic.

The story opens at an eerie manor house and gunshots are heard all around. Eustace is tasked with clearing up the mess his mysterious master Mr. Crowe has left behind and we soon learn that the events of this night will have serious consequences for everyone on the estate.

Clara, Mr. Crowe’s young ward is rather otherworldly and we never learn why or how she came to be on the estate, but she is incredibly intangible and magical.

Despite the text being a little dense and confusing at times, this novel deserves to be given time to appreciate the poetry of Paraic O’Donnell’s language.

The Maker of Swans is captivating and an impressive debut novel.

Published in by Weidenfeld & Nicolson