This Is Happiness

The theme of storytelling plays a prominent role, helping to navigate the past and the present, fact and fiction, pain and healing. The novel positions storytelling as not merely a means of conveying information but a deeply human endeavor that shapes our experiences and provides shelter from suffering. As Noe himself states, “Story was the stuff of life, and to realise you were inside one allowed you to sometimes surrender to the plot, to bear a little easier the griefs and sufferings and to enjoy more fully the twists that came along the way” (49). Traditionally speaking, Ireland has a rich history as a country fueled by an oral storytelling culture, and Williams’s portrayal of Faha remains true to this ideal. As Noe puts it, “Story was a kind of human binding. I can’t explain it any better than that. There was telling everywhere” (4). This quote speaks to the power of stories as a vital thread in the fabric of human connection. Thus, the inhabitants of Faha are not merely consumers of each other’s stories but are also active participants in the creation and propagation of iconic tales. These narratives serve as the lifeblood of the local community, encapsulating and influencing the villagers’ understanding of the world and their place within it.