The Mission House

Publisher:  Granta Books

Date of Publication:  2020

Format: Hardback purchased for me as a present and came as part of a book subscription

Star Rating:  4/5 I liked a lot and would recommend.

About book: Fleeing his demons and the dark undercurrents of life in Britain, Hilary Byrd takes refuge in a south Indian mission house next door to the presbytery where the Padre and his adoptive daughter, Priscilla, live. As Hilary's friendship with Priscilla grows, so too do the religious and nationalist tensions around them, and the mission house may not be the safe haven it seems. Meticulously crafted and tenderly subversive, The Mission House is a deeply human story of the wonders and terrors of connection in a modern world.

My thoughts: Davies' writing is stunning and evocative, bringing the characters and setting to life in vivid detail. The book is full of complex, multi-dimensional characters who are all searching for something, and the way their stories intersect is both surprising and satisfying. What I particularly appreciated about "Mission House" is the way it explores the challenges of finding one's place in the world, especially as we age and our priorities shift. The novel doesn't offer easy answers, but instead provides a nuanced and thoughtful exploration of these issues that will resonate with many readers. Overall, "Mission House" is a beautifully crafted novel that will appeal to anyone who appreciates excellent writing, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes. Highly recommended.