It is 1865 in Ireland, soon after The Great Hunger. Tomas is a cartographer working for the British. Life is harsh for Tomas, his wife and their four children. They all face individual crises which slowly unfolds. Land is a saga about Ireland, family and strife.

Maggie O”Farrell’s most recent novel is not an easy read. Throughout, Land jumps around in time and from one character to another. Also, there is little happiness in Land. Tomas and his family find life consists of one obstacle after another.Because O’Farrell is such a gifted writer, the reader struggles along with the characters. Is Land worth reading despite it’s difficulties? For me it definitely was.