Does being an artist make you inherently selfish?

That question was the first thought I had after reading Colm Tóibín’s first novel, The South. I was interested in this novel because most of it took place in Barcelona, Spain. I spent a week in Barcelona for my birthday in late August 2024 and fell in love with the city. Also, I spent a week in Madrid and got to see the contrast between Spain’s two largest cities. My conclusion is that I liked Madrid, but I loved Barcelona. I want to go back to visit Barcelona as soon as I can. Also, I’ve been wanting to read fiction about my crush as a city. I read Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s international bestseller, The Shadow of the Wind, during my trip last year, and I’ve been looking forward to reading another novel about my city crush.

However, The South is not really about the city of Barcelona. It is more about an Irish artist, Katherine Proctor, who has left her marriage and family behind in order to pursue her calling in the Catalonian city. She meets Miguel, an artist, with whom she falls in love, and tries to begin anew. Katherine’s past is reflected in Michael Graves, another Irish artist, who comes into the picture. His involvement generates a unique interaction that continues throughout the book.

Tóibín’s work illustrates how the past continues to haunt those seeking a new beginning, and the fallout can be severe. I will admit I did not like the protagonist and her choices throughout the story. But I found it to be a compelling story, and a particular part of the book took me by surprise. The South is a solid first novel from a highly acclaimed writer, and I want to read more of Tóibín’s work.