The Old Days Gone By
Tags
Summary
Editor's review
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Adult readers who enjoy literary fiction and are willing to read character interiors slowly
- Readers interested in contemporary Irish literature and social issues
- Readers drawn to themes of old age, memory, and redemption
- Readers who want to feel human complexity and everyday tension in fiction
Not a good fit for
- Readers expecting fast-paced suspense or strong plot reversals
- Readers who prefer light, healing reads and avoid heavy social issues
- Younger teenagers with little patience for complex character relationships
Reading tips
- First trace Tom's retired daily life and memory fragments along the timeline, then revisit how the old case threads through them.
- When reading the Tomelty and McNulty episodes, notice how the author uses small matters to reflect social issues.
- Don't rush to judge the characters as good or bad; after finishing, revisit Tom's choice and inner struggle when facing danger.
- If Irish background is unfamiliar, learn some basic social context first; the text will read more smoothly.
About the publisher
Zhejiang Literature and Art Publishing House is a Chinese publisher specializing in literary publishing. Judging from the 808 titles in the database, its publishing areas cover world classics, foreign literature, social novels, folk literature and classic works, as well as modern and contemporary literature and prose. Representative titles include foreign literary translations such as Anna Karenina, The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, In Praise of Shadows and The Complete Tragedies and Comedies of Shakespeare, alongside classic works by Lao She and Lu Xun such as Camel Xiangzi, Teahouse and Wandering. Its authors and translators include Leo Tolstoy, Cao Ying, Lao She, Yukio Mishima, Jun'ichirō Tanizaki and Zhu Shenghao. The press emphasizes the translation and introduction of classic texts and the compilation of native literary works, giving equal weight to Chinese and foreign literature. Owing to limited public information, its specific series and editorial policies are not elaborated here.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 第一章
- 第二章
- 第三章
- 第四章
- 第五章
- 第六章
- 第七章
- 第八章
- 第九章
- 第十章
- 第十一章
- 第十二章
- 第十三章
- 第十四章
- 第十五章
- 第十六章
- 第十七章
FAQ
Is this book a suspense novel?
I haven't read other works by Sebastian Barry. Can I read this one directly?
The book involves clerical abuse. Will it feel very oppressive?
Is it suitable for a book club discussion?
Comments
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About the author
Sebastian Barry is a foreign-literature author with seven works in our catalog. Public information about him is limited, and his nationality, dates of birth and death, and English name are currently unknown. Judging from works such as The Secret Scripture, On Canaan's Side, Days Without End, The Temporary Gentleman, and the five-volume Irish Destiny series, his writing often focuses on individuals caught between history and reality. His subjects fall under social fiction and foreign literature, and his narratives tend to portray fate, memory, and human vulnerability under the pressure of the times with delicate strokes. His works combine storytelling with literary quality and have attracted some attention among Chinese readers.
Huang Jianshu is an author about whom little public information is available; existing sources do not yet confirm his nationality, dates of birth and death, or personal history. Judging from the five works held in the collection, his writing spans foreign literature and social culture. Representative titles include Four-Sided Wind, Bygone Days, How Not to Be Submerged by a Glass of Water, Becoming a Mother: A Confession of an Intellectual Woman, and Bear. These titles suggest a sustained attention to everyday experience, the passage of time, women's circumstances, and family relationships. His subjects often begin with concrete life situations and are handled with close observation and restrained emotion. Becoming a Mother, in particular, explores the tension between childbirth and selfhood for an intellectual woman, showing the author's sensitivity to gender issues and individual choice. Overall, Huang Jianshu's writing tends toward introspection and realism, revealing psychological depth in ordinary circumstances; though his output is small, it shows a willingness to explore across subjects and merits readers' attention.
