The Ninth Hour by Alice McDermott

The Ninth Hour by Alice McDermott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Ninth Hour, the title of Alice McDermott's novel, refers to 3:00 PM. During biblical times 6:00 AM was considered the beginning of the day, therefore 3:00 PM was nine hours into the day. This is the time when Jesus died as stated in Matthew 27. In the novel it is a time of prayer for the nuns and a time of indiscretion for one of the main characters. The depth behind the choice of this title is a good example of McDermott's careful writing style. This is what I like the most about her books, her attention to detail.

The novel is a portrait of Irish Catholic immigrant lives during the early twentieth century, especially the lives of the nuns. In this case, the order of nuns we see (The Little Nursing Sisters of the Sick Poor) are running a home for people in need, as well as going into other homes to care for the sick. The picture we get of these nuns shows both their heroic nature and their human flaws. They lead lives filled with changing diapers, replacing wound dressings, and dealing with depressed people who have been cheated by life. I can't say it is a pleasant read, but it is an excellent chance to get into the hearts and minds of people worth remembering.

Here is a quote that captures the feel of this well written novel:

“Sister St. Saviour did, of course. But the woman, childless, stubborn, coming to the close of her life, had a mad heart. Mad for mercy, perhaps, mad for her own authority in all things—a trait Annie had come to love and admire—but mad nonetheless. Riding home from the cemetery, Sister St. Saviour had said, “It would be a different Church if I were running it.”

Steve Lindahl author of Motherless Soul, White Horse Regressions, Hopatcong Vision Quest, and Under a Warped Cross.





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