A review by foggy_rosamund
Girl With Green Eyes by Edna O'Brien

5.0

Because of its depictions of pre-marital sex, as well as realistic portrayals of sexuality, this book was banned in Ireland following its publication in the 1960s. Written in O'Brien's distinctive voice, it continues from, but is not a direct sequel to, The Country Girls. Cait has lived in Dublin for two years, working in a grocer's shop, when she meets Eugene, an attractive older married man. The novel delves into the unequal relationship between Eugene and Cait, and in doing so captures the misogyny that young women face. It also depicts the violence and repression of Irish society at the time: because he does not approve of her relationship, Cait's father forces her to return to her home village with him, dragging her onto the train despite her protests. Cait desperately tries to leave this village, and discovers all her neighbours, the parish priest and the bishop, are complicit with her father. The sense of ownership and entitlement that the men in Cait's life was shocking to me, even though I'm aware of the patriarchal control the Catholic church had over women's lives in Ireland. I found this an excellent novel in every way: each character, even those with small parts, are well drawn, and O'Brien has an eye for capturing the small details that make up life. Cait's infatuation with Eugene, and his interest in her, are subtly and believably captured. The plot is gripping, and while the landscape of the novel is small, the emotional depth is enormous.