PositiveIrish Times (IRE)Makes for uneasy reading ... As the narrative plays out, it becomes clear that the climax the novel is chugging towards in fact came much earlier, and a distasteful but downplayed scene soon balloons into a traumatic event ... A distinct debut, unafraid to question the nature of desire, and van de Sandt’s portrayal of the unfolding of trauma is thoughtful, true to life and well woven into the novel’s structure.
PositiveThe Irish Times (IRE)The Pelican Child gives the impression of unevenness at times ... There is a connecting thread that pulls these tales together, though. Their collective world is one of diminishing returns ... A vast, ecologically motivated collection, Williams’s newest effort is far reaching, and while these stories are full of everyday happenings, The Pelican Child always keeps one eye on what the future has in store.
