irishfiction

pick

A deceptively sophisticated book about unrequited love, self-sacrifice, and the seemingly impossible task of trying to be true to oneself while doing right by others and becoming part of a community. The protagonist is a smut writer dealing with the impending death of a beloved aunt on the one hand and birth of an unwanted child on the other. Full of fantastic dialogue and insightful observations that feel wholly organic, never forced or tacked-on

30 likes2 stack adds

Amor4Libros

Soldier Sailor | Claire Kilroy

bailed

I can see the value in this book, but at 25% I was still not connecting and decided to give up.

dabbe #allhailthebail #betterbooksahead 🙌 2w

39 likes1 comment

Gleefulreader

Ordinary Human Failings | MEGAN. NOLAN

pick

The last update on recently finished books. I read this on a combination of audio and kindle. An Irish family in London faces the possibility that their 11 year old daughter/granddaughter/niece has been accused of murdering a young girl in their housing estate. The death of the young child is just the route that it takes to examining unwed parenthood in Ireland in the 1980s, alcoholism, generational trauma and unintended consequences. Con‘t >

Gleefulreader It also looks at the nature of poverty and dead ends versus the dreams people have for their lives, particularly during the late 70s and early 80s in Ireland and Britain, and the viscious and predatory nature of the tabloid press. A brilliant book without easy answers. 3w

BarbaraBB Great review. Brilliant book indeed 3w

8 likes2 comments

Anna40

The Midnight Choir | Gene Kerrigan

so-so

I loved the first 100 pages&then it was too much.A drug addicted mom fails at mugging tourists,a jewelry heist,the murder of a family,an attempted suicide-the guy has blood all over him but doesn‘t talk-,back flashes to many other cases already solved.It all comes somehow together at the end but Kerrigan lost me along the way. I didn‘t care about the characters or the detectives… just too much going on for a crime novel.

20 likes

GerardtheBookworm

Pornographer | John McGahern

pick

The New York Review of Books usually hits it out of the park with their reprints and this novel by late author John McGahern is no exception. Set in Ireland during the 70's, a struggling writer publishes erotica to make ends meet while caring for his ailing aunt. Enter a one sided affair with an older woman and our protagonist drowns himself in drink as he reflects on his life in this literary book of love, loss, and longing.

8 likes

RobES

Travelling in a Strange Land | David Park

pick

This is very much in the same vein as Harold Fry ... A physical, mental and emotional journey that reveals heartbreak and ultimately hope. It is short but intimate, with a stream of consciousness type of narrative. Definitely recommend this one ❣️

36 likes