Irish Emigrant Book Review, No. 28 (Nov 1997)

Clem Cairns
Tom Doorley
Eugenie Houston
Mary Pat Kelly
Mary McCarthy
Tom McCaughren
Ed Miliano
Sandy O’Byrne
Diarmaid O Muirithe
Kevin Sheedy

Special Intentions by Mary Pat Kelly
In her introduction to “Special Intentions”, author Mary Pat Kelly acknowledges that her book is a work of fiction, but it is so obviously based on her own experiences that it reads far more as a diary of 1960s America and throws a very interesting light on the social unrest of that period. Ms Kelly was one of a number of students at her convent school in Chicago who decided to join the nuns, at a time when the whole concept of the religious life was about to change. The social and political upheaval of the time is seen through the eyes of Sister Maura, whose reaction to the deaths of John and Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King was heightened by her having had some degree of personal involvement in the campaigns of each one. The book is filled with diverse characters lovingly drawn, and some such as Sister Wilfreda, who threw a coffee urn at Sister Maura, not so lovingly. We are told in the introduction that the author spent just six years in the order, and the event which prompts her final decision is her posting to one of the order’s more exclusive schools when what she really wants is to stay in Chicago’s Westside. She explains why this was the trigger in the feeling that, “they didn’t really need me. Anybody would do - Anybody”.

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A Word in Your Ear by Diarmaid O Muirithe
If you have ever pondered the derivation of many of the peculiarly Irish words we use, then “A Word in Your Ear” might just provide the answer. Sloother, thole, cowl and binting, libe, gowlogue, slocken and merdle are just some of the unusual words included in this collection from “The Words We Use” column in the Irish Times, and to each is given a meaning and an explanation as to root. This is no dry academic handbook, however, for author Diarmaid O Muirithe wraps each word in an interesting story, giving examples of its use, all possible interpretations and naming the areas of the country in which it is found. For example, “Gowlogue” was sent in by a women in Kilkenny whose father had used it to mean a big drink of whiskey, but it is also the farmers’ word for a forked stick or prop. Nor does he confine himself to words of Irish origin - “binting” was used by a veteran of the Great War in a question to his son, “I see you’re all dressed up. Binting again?” The word comes from the Arabic for girl and came into usage, as did so many unusual words, through military travel. The book includes an index if the reader wishes to look up specific words, but really it’s much more fun just to dip into it and marvel at the diversity of language.

And No Bird Sang by Mary McCarthy
Dublin-based author Mary McCarthy’s second novel, is set in a confined area between Dun Laoghaire and Wicklow but the time scale covers a wider field, moving easily between the present day and events of five, ten and twenty years earlier. After a fatal accident frees Eleanor Ross from a joyless marriage, she escapes to find peace in rural Wicklow and inadvertently walks into a situation full of unresolved tension and an unsolved crime. Becoming involved with the Laffan family who run the guesthouse to which she has fled, Eleanor’s life is further complicated by the discovery that one member of the family is an old friend, and the renewal of their relationship and Aidan’s eventual betrayal forms a major theme of the story. Eleanor’s role as a psychotherapist leads her to be the confidante of all the cast of this particular tragedy, whose dark secrets are gradually revealed, and allows the author to concentrate on the reactions of her characters to events rather than the events themselves. Ms McCarthy resists the temptation to present us with the expected happy ending and in doing so has added considerably to the credibility of her story.

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Matching Food and Wine by Sandy O’Byrne
This book packed with information, giving detailed descriptions of many wines with separate sections devoted to each type. A point made early on is that “food and wine can be compatible in different ways......there is always more than one wine to suit any dish” and the author goes on to provide 70 recipes which offer the most suitable combination of food and wine. “Matching Food and Wine” is a book to be dipped into, preferably accompanied by a glass of wine.

Best of Wine in Ireland 1998 by Tom Doorley
With a foreword by T. P. Whelehan, this book goes into great detail and is intended as a comprehensive reference book which rates the different wines according to recommendations from an independent panel of experts. However the book is far from being a totally serious dissertation intended for wine buffs, and the author manages to include some very interesting asides. For example, in referring to a Rhone wine by the name of Cornas, he pronounces it as having “a tannic Syrah character and an ability to turn your teeth black when it’s young”. His translation of the bottle shape known as “Bocksbeutel” I’ll leave you to discover for yourselves. The volume comes complete with a notebook which you can take shopping with you, having marked the wines you would like to try.

The Tellicherry Five by Kevin Sheedy
Kevin Sheedy tells the story of the transportation of Michael Dwyer and four other rebels from Wicklow, after they had spent some time in prison in Kilmainham. The early years of settlers, both prisoners and free, in New South Wales makes for interesting reading, though the narrative was spoiled somewhat by careless proofing. Indeed the first page contains the lines, speaking of Dwyer and his associates, “They were born into the final quarter of the nineteenth century...”. However the author does give a true picture of the rebels and includes Dwyer’s apparent alcoholism as a defining part of his life in Australia. There are a number of interesting illustrations though a contemporary map of the new settlements would have been a help in understanding the various journeys undertaken.

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Dog Days and Other Stories edited by Clem Cairns
The 14 short stories in “Dog Days and Other Stories”, edited by Clem Cairns, represent the winner and runners-up in the 1996/97 Fish Short Story Prize, an annual event which last year was judged by Joseph O’Connor, Jennifer Johnston and Emma Donoghue. “Dog Days”, the eventual winner, is the work of Karl Iagnemma, an American studying at MIT in Boston. The author deals with the dilemma of a father-to-be who has to make a decision to dispose of his Labrador, since his wife insists that dogs and small babies don’t mix. Still almost a child himself at 19, Cooper moves between his role as a responsible and supportive father - helping Christina at her ante-natal classes, making a beautiful crib for their unborn child - and being led by the “guys” from work who urge him to stand up for his rights. The final realisation for Cooper is that parenthood has led them to bicker, not about their own rights and wishes, but about what is best for their son. Of the other stories in the book I particularly enjoyed Anne O’Carroll’s “Flame”, dealing with a child’s reaction to the death of a much-loved uncle, and the futuristic “Compound Interest” by Tim Booth. (Fish Publishing, ISBN 0-9523522, pp164, IR6.50) - Aislinn O’Loughlin’s fairy tales retold are a delight for almost any age, though very young readers would hardly appreciate the various layers of humour. “Shak and the Beanstalk” and “The Emperor’s Birthday Suit” both feature two delinquent youngsters, Jack Locks and his sister Goldie. In the latter, Craig Fox and Jack Locks team up as tailors and are persuaded to make the Emperor a new outfit. Having done so, (or not done so), they decided to “get the heck outa the empire before someone noticed the Emperor was practically naked!”.

Run Wild 1998 by Tom McCaughren
Tom McCaughren’s wildlife series is complemented by a wildlife diary, “Run Wild 1998”, which is packed with stories, fascinating facts and puzzles, and each month has a designated bird and flower. Unusually for a diary, it begins on December 19 rather than January 1, which means that the lucky child who finds it in his or her Christmas stocking can begin writing in it straight away.

It’s a Jungle Out There by Ed Miliano
For very young children, “It’s a Jungle Out There” is a beautifully produced book inspired by the author’s own garden in Dublin and his white cat. The simple script is in verse form and children can enjoy finding all the different creatures in the striking illustrations.

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Working and Living in Ireland by Eugenie Houston
Eugenie Houston has a long involvement in Human Resources Management and spent some time living in different parts of Europe. She has now compiled a guide for those thinking of returning to Ireland which covers everything from finding a job or setting up in business to the details of housing, education and Irish culture. In fact the chapter on applying for third level could be usefully read by many people who have never lived abroad. “Working and Living in Ireland” is a comprehensive and useful resource for anyone thinking of coming to Ireland to live.

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