The Story of Lucy Gault

This is a lovely book, quiet in the same way as Chatwin's novel "On the Black Hill". Lucy Gault is 8 years old in 1921. A violent incident at the Gault family estate leads her parents to the difficult decision to leave Ireland. Lucy overhears her parents discussion and can't bear the thought of leaving her idyllic existence; she runs away in a misguided attempt to convince her parents to remain at Lahardane. Her action shapes the novel and the lives of all the characters in it. Everything that happens from then on is a consequence of Lucy's childish impulse. Chance plays a major role. Her parents find an article of her clothing abandoned on the shore and believe that she has drowned. Devastated beyond bearing, they leave Ireland and all reminders of it behind. If only Lucy's parents had remained a few more days in Ireland or had searched the woods they would have found her and avoided a lifetime of guilt and recrimination. It's so terribly sad but it is beautifully written and, I think, William Trevor's best novel.