Book Flight: Irish Troubles

a trio of books

Do you ever find yourself reading along an unintentional theme? Or want to read intentionally on a theme? I’m usually in the first camp. Last summer I accidentally read multiple books where the mom died. While that was not intentional, I do like the idea of creating a book flight of books that go well together and that you can read somewhat back to back. I also struggle with the idea of the long wrap-up book posts.

What is a book flight?

A book flight is a selection of books that go well together and share a common thread. They can be a combination of fiction and non-fiction. I heard about this on the What Should I Read Next? Podcast.

My book flight

The Troubles in Ireland have become a topic that I am very interested in. I don’t know if it is because I have had a fascination with Ireland and British colonialism or because I am Irish (my great-grandparents immigrated to the US in the early/mid 1900’s). Either way, I have found myself picking up and seeking out books that mention the Troubles.

Therefore, I present to you a trio of books that I feel pair very well together but do not feel like you are reading the same book over and over again. I have read two of these on audio but I heard that the one I read physically is also great on audio.

1. Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe

   1. This is a non-fiction historical book that centers the story/mystery around the 1972 abduction and murder of Jean McConville as a way to expand and discuss the history of the Troubles. It uses interviews and documents that have previously not been available to create the narrative of this time in history in Northern Ireland. There was so much I did not know and understand how this truly is in recent memory.

   2. Start here because it gives a very comprehensive overview of what the landscape is and what is going on.

2. Trespasses by Louise Kennedy

   1. This fiction novel follows the story of a Catholic woman named Cushla who falls in love with a married Protestant man in Northern Ireland in a town outside Belfast. The story shows a more granular view of everyday people who are stuck between these larger violent forces during the Troubles and the consequences of certain actions (or perceived actions).

   2. I like this one second because it adds the fictional narrative element to a historical period. It brings up the loss of the Irish language, the tension between the two groups, and what people could lose in an instant.

      1. note: if you read this as a physical book there are no quotations.

3. Thin Places by Kerri ní Dochartaigh

   1. A memoir of a woman from Derry, a border town and tinder box of tension, who was born at the height of the Troubles in the 1980’s. She weaves together her story of growing up experiencing great violence and terror with the importance of the natural world’s healing properties. She reflects on how the landscape and nature of Ireland were vital for her recovery process. She invites the reader to consider what it means for borders once again to become hard and for fear to return. Again you will see the discussion of the loss of Irish as a language.

   2. I may feel this is the best place to end because I have just described the order I read them in. But I feel this is a great endpoint because it brings us back to the reality of the people who lived through and experienced the Troubles. The deeply personal appreciation of the natural world. Have you ever wanted to cry about a moth? You will now.

potentially obvious warning but these books are heavy. Thin Places being the heaviest of the trio since it is so deeply personal.

Additionally

You could also watch (if you haven’t already) Derry Girls on Netflix. It is hilarious and human.

Conclusion

Lately, I find myself thinking about how much horror and terror lives in the world and we often wish to see it as a “long ago” concept. It is impossible to know the full history of all things and to take in the scope of that much pain. But I think there may be ways to learn without feeling weighed down with stones.

And in a book world that still feels like it is overrun with WW2 historical fiction, I want to dive into the pieces of history that are a bit less uncovered.

till next week!