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