The Slowworm’s Song
The Slowworm’s Song by Andrew Miller, published by Europa Editions in 2022, is a poignant narrative that explores themes of guilt, trust, and a father’s desire for redemption. The story centers on Stephen Rose, an ex-soldier living in Somerset, who receives a letter summoning him to testify about a traumatic event from the Troubles in Belfast. As he grapples with his past, Stephen seeks to rebuild a relationship with his estranged daughter, Maggie, through a heartfelt account of his life that serves as both an explanation and a love letter.
Readers will find a deeply introspective tale that delves into the complexities of familial bonds and the weight of history. The narrative unfolds as Stephen confronts the repercussions of his past actions while striving to connect with Maggie, who knows little of his struggles. This edition, comprising 320 pages, presents a literary exploration of the Irish Troubles, offering insights into the human experience during a tumultuous period. Through its epistolary format, The Slowworm’s Song gives voice to those often overlooked in discussions of war and conflict, making it a significant addition to contemporary literature.
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A Best Book Of 2022 (New Yorker)
A Best Book Of Fall 2022 (Wall Street Journal)
From Costa Award-winning and Booker Prize-shortlisted author Andrew Miller comes a tender tale of guilt, trust, and a father’s yearning to atone.
A harmless-looking letter drops onto the doormat in Stephen Rose’s Somerset home like an unexploded bomb. It is a summons to an inquiry in Belfast, asking him to give testimony about his participation in a disastrous event during the Troubles-one he has long worked to forget.
An ailing ex-soldier and recovering alcoholic, Stephen has just begun to build a fragile bond with Maggie, the adult daughter he barely knows. For two years, he has worked hard to earn her trust, but the tragedy of what occurred back in the summer of 1982 has the power to destroy their new relationship. To buy time, he decides to write her an account of his life. Part explanation, part confession, it is also a love letter to Maggie.
When the moment comes that he must face what happened in Belfast that summer, the consequences are devastating–but ultimately liberating. Giving voice to those little heard in the literature of the Irish Troubles, The Slowworm’s Song is an unforgettable story about a man who learns that the only way back from the underworld is up.
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