THE FACE OF TIME by James T. Farrell is the fifth (and concluding) volume in the "Danny O'Neill" series of 5 volumes, following A WORLD I NEVER MADE; NO STAR IS LOST; FATHER AND SON; and MY DAYS OF ANGER.  Most critics have suggested that the author had intended the O'Neill series to balance out Farrell's better-known STUDS LONIGAN trilogy, in which Danny O'Neill is a minor character.  While STUDS LONIGAN also portrays the struggles of the working class American-Irish families in Chicago in the early 1900s, and the constant attraction of criminal activities to which Studs Lonigan is regularly drawn, the "Danny O'Neill" series was intended to provide a contrast against the hopelessness into which Studs had fallen -- that Danny O'Neill could utilize his intellect to fight against the poverty which surrounded him, and rise above his surroundings to escape the "world I never made."  This fifth volume actually reverts back to young Danny O'Neill's childhood, in 1909 & 1910, and precedes A WORLD I NEVER MADE by one year; and, although it could be read out of order from the previous 4 books, it actually provides a context and sympathy for Danny's family, which is gained by reading it as the concluding book in the series, rather than the first.  Young Danny, at 5 years old, is beginning to comprehend the world he never made, and the complications of being a child of poverty, surrounded by other poor families.  And Danny as well is beginning to be judgmental regarding the individual members of the extended family with which he lives, and the conflicts to which he is an innocent witness, as well as the secret desires and wishes of childhood.  Additionally, the reader is finally introduced to key family members to whom we had previously only known by their absence -- and their inclusion in this final volume rounds out the deep love and turmoil that has enveloped each of the 4 volumes in the Danny O'Neill series that has preceded this final book.  I highly recommend all 5 books. 

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