If We Could Turn Back Time Summary, Characters and Themes
If We Could Turn Back Time by Siân O’Gorman is a heartwarming and deeply reflective story that explores the themes of family, belonging, and self-discovery. The novel follows Alice Murphy, a woman who, after a decade of living in Australia, returns to her hometown in Ireland to reconnect with her family and roots.
As Alice struggles with a sense of uncertainty about her future, she confronts the emotional weight of her past and the complexities of her relationships with her family. Through her journey, Alice learns valuable lessons about love, loss, and the importance of finding one’s place in the world.
Summary
Alice Murphy, a 30-year-old woman, has been living in Australia for the past decade. Initially, she went there for a work visa and to enjoy the freedom and adventure that came with a new life.
However, on the flight back to her hometown of Sandycove in Ireland, she starts to feel a deep sense of homesickness and introspection. The reality of her life in Australia no longer seems as fulfilling, and turning 30 has made her question whether it’s time for a change.
She begins to wonder if she is ready to commit to a more permanent life in Ireland.
Alice’s journey back to Sandycove is both emotional and bittersweet. When she arrives in her village, she is greeted by her mother, Ciara, and her grandmother, Eva, both of whom she has missed dearly.
Her family runs a local grocery store, Murphy’s, and their home is a comforting haven for Alice. Despite the beauty and relaxation she enjoyed in Australia, she has always felt a deep connection to her family and roots in Ireland.
However, as she returns, she feels the weight of the years spent away and the changes that have occurred in her absence.
Ciara has been running the store since her mother, Eva, retired. Eva, though older, is still an active member of the community, swimming in the sea and baking soda bread.
As Alice settles back into life in Sandycove, she notices the subtle changes in her family’s life. Ciara, while still working hard to keep the business going, seems increasingly weary of the daily routine.
Despite the success of the store, she is uncertain about how much longer she can continue with the same monotonous life. Eva, on the other hand, is full of stories and nostalgia, sharing tales of the family’s history, including the time they had a cow named Blaithín.
The sense of community that Alice once yearned for while living in Australia begins to feel more familiar. She spends time with her grandmother, catching up on family stories, and starts to see how deeply connected she is to the village and its history.
Alice’s bond with her mother and grandmother grows stronger as they share memories and time together.
Meanwhile, the dynamics of the village continue to evolve. Alice catches up with her best friend, Becca, who has a new boyfriend, Conal, and she is introduced to Max, the young man who recently took over the local bookshop.
Max and Alice strike up a connection, and as they talk, Alice finds herself questioning her own life choices and whether she is ready to make a more permanent commitment to Sandycove. The town is still the same, yet everything feels a little different as Alice grapples with the uncertainty of her future.
Ciara, too, is feeling the weight of her years. She confides in her friend Mary-Marg about her longing for excitement and change, much like Alice.
They begin to organize a local disco event for the middle-aged residents of Sandycove, a nostalgic throwback to their youth. This small event serves as a sign that both Alice and her mother are craving something new, something beyond their usual routines.
As Alice continues to help her mother in the shop and settle into the rhythms of Sandycove, she begins to see the life she left behind with fresh eyes. However, there remains a sense of uncertainty as she knows her stay in Ireland is temporary.
She must soon decide whether to return to Australia or embrace the life waiting for her in Sandycove.
Alice’s time in Sandycove takes another turn when she attends a birthday party for Conal, where she meets his grandmother, Dol Blake. Dol’s presence unnerves Alice, and she is left feeling uncomfortable by the strange interaction.
As the days pass, Alice is left wondering about Dol’s connection to her family and the unsettling history that seems to be intertwined with their lives.
As Alice works alongside her mother in the shop and helps plan events like the wine-tasting evening, she realizes that her connection to Sandycove runs deeper than she thought. The more time she spends in the village, the more she begins to feel at home again, despite her inner conflicts about her future.
However, there are still mysteries to be uncovered, particularly concerning the Blake family.
One day, Alice learns a shocking truth: Conal is actually her half-brother, the result of an affair between her mother, Ciara, and Dol Blake’s husband, Lorcan. This revelation rocks Alice to her core, and she is left grappling with the complexity of her family’s past.
As she confronts this new reality, she begins to forge a relationship with Conal, who has always been distant due to the complicated history between their families.
The story takes on a deeper emotional weight as Alice comes to terms with her family’s hidden past. Eva and Ciara reflect on their shared history with Dol and Lorcan, and the painful memories resurface.
Despite the hurt and betrayal, Alice begins to find peace with her family’s past and present. She sees her place in the family and understands the importance of staying connected to those she loves.
In the final stages of the story, Alice makes the decision to stay in Ireland permanently. She embraces the idea of running the shop with her mother and grandmother, continuing the family legacy in Sandycove.
This decision marks the beginning of a new chapter for Alice, as she reconciles with her past, embraces her roots, and starts to build a future with the people who matter most.
The novel culminates in a joyful Christmas celebration, where Alice accepts Max’s proposal, and the family comes together to celebrate love, connection, and the strength of family bonds. Through Alice’s journey, If We Could Turn Back Time highlights the importance of understanding where you come from and finding your place in the world.
It is a story about healing, growth, and the deep ties that hold us to the people and places we love.
Characters
Alice Murphy
Alice Murphy, the protagonist of If We Could Turn Back Time, is a 30-year-old woman who has spent the past decade in Australia, living a carefree and transient life. Her return to her home village in Sandycove, Ireland, sparks a deep sense of introspection and a growing uncertainty about her future.
As Alice reflects on her life, she begins to question her previous choices, particularly her decision to live in Australia, and wonders if she’s ready to put down roots in her hometown. Throughout her time in Sandycove, she reconnects with her family and the village, feeling a pull toward her past but also yearning for something more.
Her evolving relationship with her mother, Ciara, and grandmother, Eva, showcases her struggle between embracing her roots and seeking a different path. Her interactions with old friends like Becca, Conal, and Max help her navigate her changing feelings, and ultimately, Alice’s journey is one of self-discovery.
She comes to realize that her past experiences abroad have shaped her, and that it is time to embrace a future that feels more grounded and fulfilling. Alice’s decision to stay in Sandycove, working alongside her mother in the family shop, signifies her readiness to commit to a life rooted in love, family, and community.
Ciara Murphy
Ciara, Alice’s mother, is a central figure in the story, representing both the comforts and constraints of life in Sandycove. Having run the local grocery store since her own mother, Eva, retired, Ciara is deeply entrenched in the rhythms of small-town life.
However, as the story unfolds, Ciara’s sense of stagnation becomes apparent. She is weary of the monotony of her routine, and although the shop is thriving, she begins to question whether this is all there is to life.
Ciara’s longing for change and excitement mirrors Alice’s own feelings of uncertainty. Despite this, she is also deeply committed to her family and the village, and her bond with Alice remains strong, even as they both struggle with the idea of what their futures should look like.
Throughout the narrative, Ciara’s reflections on her past, including her painful experiences with love and betrayal, reveal her complex emotional landscape. Her relationship with Alice evolves, as she becomes more open about her past and her desires for the future, while also encouraging Alice to find her own path.
In the end, Ciara’s journey is one of reconciliation—with herself, her past, and the idea of embracing change.
Eva Murphy
Eva, Alice’s grandmother, is a figure of wisdom, tradition, and continuity in If We Could Turn Back Time. She is the matriarch of the Murphy family, maintaining a strong presence in both Alice’s life and the community of Sandycove.
Eva’s character is defined by her connection to the past, and she is the one who shares stories about their ancestors and the family’s history. Her stories serve as a reminder of the deep roots that Alice has in Sandycove, even as Alice struggles with the pull of her life abroad.
Eva’s physical vitality, such as her morning swims and her love for making soda bread, contrasts with the emotional weight she carries from her own complicated relationships, particularly with Dol Blake. Though Eva is often a source of comfort and nostalgia for Alice, she also harbors a deep-seated pain from past betrayals and lost friendships, particularly her fractured relationship with Dol.
Eva’s wisdom and presence provide grounding for Alice and her mother, and her quiet strength offers a sense of stability as the family grapples with the challenges of the present and past.
Becca
Becca, Alice’s best friend, is a supportive and caring presence throughout If We Could Turn Back Time. While she is primarily concerned with her own relationship with Conal, Becca is also a pillar of emotional support for Alice, offering advice and companionship as Alice navigates her return to Sandycove.
Becca’s relationship with Conal is still in its early stages, and her insecurity about his feelings for her adds a layer of complexity to her character. Becca’s openness about her insecurities and her self-esteem issues highlight her vulnerability, but she is also resilient, continuously working through her fears and doubts.
She values her friendships deeply, and her bond with Alice is central to her emotional life. Becca’s moments of reflection, particularly when she contemplates her own desires and self-worth, show her growth as a character, particularly as she begins to better understand her relationship with Conal and her own emotional needs.
Conal
Conal is a key figure in If We Could Turn Back Time, representing the tension between family loyalty and personal identity. He is introduced as Becca’s new boyfriend, but his character becomes more significant as Alice learns about his connection to her family.
Conal’s backstory is complex, with his relationship to Dol Blake, his biological mother, and his experiences growing up in the shadow of family secrets contributing to his internal struggles. His relationship with Alice evolves as they discover their shared family history, revealing him to be a deeply conflicted character.
Despite his outwardly confident demeanor, Conal is grappling with issues of abandonment, loyalty, and the need for acceptance. His relationship with Alice offers him a sense of grounding and connection, particularly as they bond over their newfound sibling relationship.
Conal’s journey is one of self-discovery, as he learns to reconcile the pain of his past with the possibility of forming new, healthier relationships with the people around him.
Max
Max, a more minor but significant character, is a young man who runs the local bookstore in Sandycove. He is intelligent, kind, and passionate about books, which makes him an intriguing presence in the village.
Max’s role in the story is particularly important to Alice, as their interactions reflect her own inner conflict about where she belongs. Max provides Alice with a different perspective on life in Sandycove, as he is content with his work and his place in the community.
His interactions with Alice are marked by a light, friendly chemistry that hints at the potential for a deeper connection. Max’s involvement in the group of friends and his participation in activities like the pub quiz help to bring Alice back into the social fold of Sandycove.
Though his role in the plot is subtle, Max’s presence represents the possibility of new beginnings and the importance of finding joy in the smaller, quieter aspects of life.
Dol Blake
Dol Blake is a complex and intriguing character, whose past and presence cast a long shadow over the Murphy family. Initially, Dol is introduced as Conal’s grandmother, but her true significance is revealed later in the story when Alice uncovers the truth about Dol’s tumultuous history with her mother, Ciara, and her grandmother, Eva.
Dol’s character is defined by her sharp, domineering personality, which leaves a lasting impression on those she encounters. Despite her coldness and sometimes abrasive demeanor, Dol’s actions are shaped by her own pain and past betrayals.
Her relationship with Lorcan, Alice’s father, and her role in Conal’s life, both as his biological mother and as a manipulative figure, reveal the emotional complexity at the heart of the family drama. Dol’s role in the story highlights themes of secrecy, betrayal, and the impact of unresolved conflicts, and her presence challenges the characters to confront painful truths about their own families and histories.
Themes
Identity and Self-Discovery
The theme of identity and self-discovery is central to If We Could Turn Back Time. Alice’s journey is marked by her quest to understand who she truly is and where she belongs.
After spending a decade in Australia, she is compelled to revisit her roots and reflect on her choices, especially as she turns 30. This period of introspection forces her to confront her feelings of homesickness, uncertainty, and the tension between the life she has built abroad and the one waiting for her back home in Sandycove.
Throughout the novel, Alice struggles to reconcile her adventurous, free-spirited nature with the sense of belonging and stability she finds in her family and her childhood home. This internal conflict plays out against the backdrop of her relationships with her mother, grandmother, and best friend.
Each of these characters represents different aspects of identity and personal growth, prompting Alice to consider the possibility of committing to her roots and exploring the depth of her familial ties. By the end of the story, Alice’s realization that she has changed over the years is pivotal.
She sees that her return to Ireland isn’t merely a physical one but a return to a version of herself that had been lost or overlooked during her years in Australia. Her decision to stay in Sandycove permanently symbolizes the acceptance of her evolving identity, not as an expatriate, but as someone who can embrace both the familiar and the new as she builds her life in her ancestral home.
Family and Generational Bonds
The complexities of family dynamics and generational bonds play a crucial role in shaping Alice’s emotional landscape. The novel explores how the relationships between mothers, daughters, and grandmothers serve as both a source of strength and a reminder of past struggles.
Alice’s interactions with her mother, Ciara, and her grandmother, Eva, reflect the passage of time and the ways in which family members influence one another’s lives. Alice’s bond with her mother is initially marked by distance and a longing for connection, especially as Ciara appears weary from the demands of running the family business.
Alice is drawn back to her roots, and as she reconnects with her family, she sees not only the warmth of their shared history but also the undercurrents of unresolved tension and unspoken truths. The relationship between Ciara and Eva, while rooted in love and affection, also reveals the generational challenges of motherhood, aging, and coping with personal loss.
The revealing moments about the past, such as the affair between Ciara’s partner, Lorcan, and Dol Blake, expose the darker, more complicated aspects of family history, adding layers of complexity to their relationships. The novel underscores that family, while providing emotional support, is also fraught with secrets and unresolved pain.
Despite this, the characters’ ability to heal and find comfort in one another reaffirms the power of family bonds, showing that even through the pain, the connections remain strong and deeply rooted.
Change and Personal Growth
Change is another prominent theme in If We Could Turn Back Time, as Alice is confronted with the inevitability of both external and internal shifts. Her return to Ireland marks a critical point in her life, where she must decide whether to embrace a life of stability or continue seeking the freedom she has enjoyed in Australia.
The novel highlights the tension between comfort and the desire for something more, especially as Alice notices the changes in the people around her, including her mother’s longing for a change and her grandmother’s reflection on their shared past. These realizations prompt Alice to reassess her own goals and desires.
Personal growth is depicted not as a linear process but as a series of decisions that require confronting uncomfortable truths, such as the complicated history between her mother and her ex-partner or the revelation about Conal’s true parentage. Throughout the novel, characters experience personal growth as they come to terms with their past mistakes, regrets, and dreams for the future.
For Alice, this process of self-discovery and emotional growth culminates in her decision to settle in Sandycove, embracing her roots and redefining her sense of self in the context of her family. The theme of change underscores the novel’s message that transformation is often painful but ultimately necessary for personal fulfillment and happiness.
Home and Belonging
The theme of home and belonging runs through the entire narrative, particularly in Alice’s journey from Australia back to Sandycove. Initially, her life in Australia seemed like the ultimate escape—a place of freedom and adventure that allowed her to live without the constraints of her past.
However, as the years pass, Alice’s sense of fulfillment diminishes, and she begins to realize that something is missing. Her return to Sandycove forces her to confront the idea of home—not just as a physical place but as a source of emotional and cultural connection.
Alice’s homecoming represents more than just a visit to her family; it is a confrontation with the place where she grew up, the memories that shaped her, and the people who have always been part of her story. As she spends more time with her mother, grandmother, and friends, Alice realizes that she belongs not just to the place but to a long-standing narrative of community and family.
The novel explores the idea that home is not always where we expect it to be; it is a place where we feel rooted and where we can find peace, even amid the uncertainties of life. By the end of the novel, Alice’s decision to stay in Sandycove reflects her realization that true belonging comes not from running away or seeking something new, but from acknowledging and embracing the places, people, and relationships that form the foundation of who we are.
Love and Relationships
Love and relationships are examined from various angles in If We Could Turn Back Time, particularly in Alice’s evolving connections with the people around her. The novel takes a nuanced approach to romantic relationships, friendships, and familial love, illustrating how love can be both a source of joy and a source of conflict.
Alice’s romantic past, particularly her relationship with her ex, Sebastian, serves as a backdrop to her search for personal fulfillment and self-awareness. Throughout the story, she navigates her feelings for Max, a man she grows closer to during her time in Sandycove, and her evolving dynamic with Conal, whom she later learns is her half-brother.
The theme of love is further explored through the relationship between Ciara and her ex, Lorcan, and the complex ties between Ciara, Eva, and Dol. These relationships highlight the intricacies of emotional connection—how love can be entwined with betrayal, loss, and forgiveness.
In the end, Alice’s relationships with the people she cares about evolve as she learns to confront her own feelings of insecurity and fear of vulnerability. Her decision to accept Max’s proposal is not just a romantic gesture; it symbolizes her readiness to fully embrace love and commitment, not only to another person but also to her own life and the choices she makes moving forward.