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bgg616's review
5.0
This novel written by the late Seamus Deane, poet and literary critic, is very autobiographical. It is set in the Northern Irish city of Derry/Londonderry and begins in 1945 and continues through 1974. As the protagonist is Catholic, it is called Derry. This is the story of a family with members in Derry, as well as on the other side of the border in Donegal, and a secret at the heart of this extended family. It is a secret that festers for years, and although some family members know some of the secret, the whole story is known by very few.
The prose in the beginning chapters of the book that progress through the boy's childhood is gorgeous, and very poetic. As the boy loses his childhood innocence, the story becomes more focused on the family's poverty and the IRA campaign along the border with Donegal. The story moves into the era of the Civil Rights Movement in Northern Ireland, the arrival of British troops, and the Troubles. It is a classic of Northern Irish writing.
The prose in the beginning chapters of the book that progress through the boy's childhood is gorgeous, and very poetic. As the boy loses his childhood innocence, the story becomes more focused on the family's poverty and the IRA campaign along the border with Donegal. The story moves into the era of the Civil Rights Movement in Northern Ireland, the arrival of British troops, and the Troubles. It is a classic of Northern Irish writing.
hannah_m_g's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kellser's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
michaelsreading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
annie_peterson's review against another edition
2.5
Had to read this for an Irish history class. It’s well written but the structure made the story so disjointed, I just could not get into it.
rnicaogain's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
laurakandro's review against another edition
3.0
Fairly enjoyable, not very memorable. A look at a period of northern Irish history seldom discussed. Like others said, read more like a memoir than anything with a series of vignettes from a childhood and a touch of adulthood. It’s a character study more than anything with so many throw-away characters it can be difficult to keep track.
I wouldn’t NOT recommend. But just like the secret the narrator wants everyone to slowly forget, I’ll forget this book in a couple of years myself.
I wouldn’t NOT recommend. But just like the secret the narrator wants everyone to slowly forget, I’ll forget this book in a couple of years myself.
eveblunden's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0