MARCH 2023. IRISH WRITERS. ARDAL O’HANLON. FINTAN O’TOOLE. CLAIRE KEEGAN.

FEBRUARY 2023 

Ardal O’Hanlon wrote  BROUHAHA which I figure means something about nothing - lot of fuss etc. 

O’Hanlon is known for his comic talents, Brother Ted and Death in Paradise. As is often the case,  many comedians write well whilst being hailed for acting the fool.  This well known actor gives us a local crime story. Local Cops investigate the long time mystery of the disappearance of a young woman.  Who knows what! Who will say anything. Someone must know what happened, so we have a modest adventure of sorts as we track down the baddies 

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FINTAN O’TOOLE relates the ongoing history which is the mystery of Brexit. 

THREE YEARS IN HELL are less enjoyable. Speak up.  Tells us what will happen.   What is the future of The island of Ireland. Briefly United.  The Problem of the Irish is actually the Problem of the English.  Hard Brexit borders.  

O’Toole is a skilled observer of Irish/British (should we say English) politics.  Leaders too silly for words or just inept.  He finds the words to describe them, 

The identity of a country is under serious and sharp inspection with this experienced and clever writer. Leaders have to lead, hopefully with intelligence and thoughtfulness.  

Brexit.  A can of worms.  A pie full of porkies.  Take me to your leader. 

HEROIC FAILURE. Whilst on the Brexit subject I booked another Fintan O’Toole from Libby.

 I had discovered the author is now in Adelaide for the writers week during our fringe festival. 

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CLAIRE KEEGAN wrote a very small but highly praised book SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE.

This is just family life, getting on with life. Small things matter and Father has a significant moment, one of compassion which results in him inviting a young woman to dine with them.  She was lost and he found her, a young woman in trouble and the convent background story is one that today we are sadly familiar with.  She just comes to tea.  Generosity is enough.

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FEBRUARY 2023. ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

 ERICH MARIA REMARQUE.  AUTHOR.

FIRST PUBLISHED AS A NOVEL IN 1929.

I borrowed a BBC radio version online through Libby.  There were several versions available of this surprisingly small novel.  I likened the audiobook to a radio play with listening time 1 hour 49 minutes.  English actors didn’t disguise their local dialects, and I adjusted to the background noise which was the clutter of camplife and explosions of war.

This heartbreaking re-enactment of young lads sent to the front in one of the bloodiest wars in recent history is something of a diary written by one young soldier.  He records his companions and includes good food, home leave, and final silence.  This book was banned by several European countries for some time.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

In 2023 a German film production was one of ten nominees competing for a best Film Oscar which encouraged me to get the book and read it straight through.  I am glad I did read it and not live through the reality.