Read Ireland Book Reviews
Issue 459
26/27 September 2009
Laments by Jan Kochanowski translated by Seamus Heaney and Stanislaw Baranczak
Paperback; 11.50 Euro / 16 USD / 9 UK; 80 pages
REVISED EDITION, WITH A NEW PREFACE BY SEAMUS HEANEY A heartbreaking and measured report of grief following the death of Ursula, the two-and-a-half-year-old daughter of Jan Kochanowski (1530-1584), meticulously and marvellously translated by Seamus Heaney and Stanislaw Baranczak, former colleagues at Harvard University.
'a sequence of poems which occupy as cherished and foundational a place in Polish literature as Shakespeare's sonnets in English . . . the matter of the work is weighted with pain but the mode of expression is utterly buoyant.' — Seamus Heaney
'Jan Kochanowski, a great Polish Renaissance poet, was a contemporary of the French poet Ronsard and a little older than Edmund Spenser and Sir Philip Sidney in England. His presence belies foggy notions common in the West about a barbaric Eastern Europe. And yet the Renaissance literature of Poland is virtually unknown in the West because of the lack of translations. The Laments of Kochanowski should be ranked with the world classics.
There were some attempts to translate Laments into English in the past, but now something has happened which allows the English-speaking reader to have nearly direct access to this work: namely, the cooperation of two excellent poets, Professor Stanislaw Baranczak of Harvard and Seamus Heaney. That team translated Laments, preserving its metres and rhymes. It is a rare accomplishment, which brings joy to me as an inheritor of Kochanowski's language and of the Renaissance tradition.'— Czeslaw Milosz
(Also available in Hardback, priced at 18.50 Euro)
On the Night Watch by Ciaran Carson
Paperback; 14 Euro / 18 USD / 11 UK; 144 pages [Add To Basket]
Few books of poems in our time have been as well received as Ciaran Carson's For All We Know, its haunting power acknowledged by a host of welcoming readers and judges. Now, just one year on (and following the publication also of Collected Poems), this ever protean writer weaves a slower, subtler spell with a profusion of spare, sinuous, riddling shards of memory and insight.
In three interlinked movements On the Night Watch fathoms the depths of a well and a mine to discover what can and cannot be said. Exploring the very grammar of English, it remains alert to all that stays unspoken. Exposed to the anxieties of circumstance - a 'siege of sickness' - the poems trace the storms and calms of waiting, not knowing, from fear to the reprieve from fears, and find in the small hours the chink of birdsong and chinks of light.
As 'the falling leaves / fall on / the fallen leaves / / the rain beats / on the rain' these poems accumulate in a work of characteristically brave adventure.
(Also available in Hardback, price at 20 Euro)
Reservoir Voices by Brendan Kennelly
Large Format Paperback; 11 Euro / 15 USD / 8 UK; 94 pages
Much of Brendan Kennelly's poetry gives voice to others and otherness. Whether through masks or personae, dramatic monologues or riddles, his poems inhabit other lives, other beings and other ways of being in the world. The riddling poems of "Reservoir Voices" add a further dimension to these explorations, inspired by an autumn sojourn in America where he would sit by the edge of a reservoir, trying to cope with loneliness by contemplating black swans, blue waves, seagulls, trees and rocks: 'It was in that state of fascinated dislocation, of almost mesmerized emptiness, that the voices came with suggestions, images, memories, delights, horrors, rhythms, insights and calm, irrefutable insistence that it was they who were speaking, not me. To surrender to loneliness is to admit new presences, new voices into that abject emptiness. So I wrote down what I heard the voices say and, at moments, sing.'
Na Lucha ag Rince by Mícheál Ó Ruairc
Paperback; 8 Euro / 12 USD / 6 UK [Add To Basket]
New book for teenagers in Irish. After winning the lotto, Tomás Ó Sé finds himself living life amongst the rich and famous and quickly forgets his old friends. Now as the money runs out, does he have anyone left to turn to? Or what about Pádraigín? With the mounting pressure of the Leaving Cert., without any space or time to herself and all the housework to do, it’s no wonder she struggles. Will she get fair play or will things get even worse? And then there’s the young boy who excitedly awaits his presents every Christmas only, this year, to uncover not a present but a truth – a cold, horrible truth that means Christmas will never be the same again …
Heartbreak, loneliness, hope, forgiveness, revenge, happiness and more … As well as twenty-four interesting and enjoyable stories, this book gives useful tips and guidelines on planning and writing stories.
Leabhar nua do Dhéagóirí. Na Lucha ag Rince atá ar leabhar nua gearrscéalta do mhic léinn Ardteiste le Mícheál Ó Ruairc, foilsithe ag Cló Iar-Chonnachta.
An Crannchur Náisiúnta buaite ag Tomás Ó Sé, cúl tugtha aige dá sheansaol agus é i measc na mbodach mór. Ach nuair atá a shaibhreas caite aige, an mbeidh sé fágtha ar an trá fholamh? Nó céard faoi Phádraigín? Brú na hArdteiste, gan spás aici di féin agus obair an tí go léir á déanamh aici. Ní iontas ar bith di bheith in ísle brí. An bhfaighidh sí cothrom na féinne nó an rachaidh rudaí chun olcais? Agus an buachaill óg … ag súil le bronntanas iontach lá Nollag ach, i mbliana, ní bronntanas a fhaigheann sé ach fírinne – fírinne ghruama, fhuar a mhúchann spiorad draíochtúil na Nollag …
Briseadh croí, uaigneas, dóchas, maithiúnas, díoltas, sonas agus tuilleadh … Chomh maith le ceithre scéal is fiche atá suimiúil agus taitneamhach iontu féin, tá treoracha úsáideacha sa leabhar seo don mhac léinn maidir le scríobh agus pleanáil scéalta.
Taibhsí an Locha Antain Mac Lochlainn
Paperback; 7 Euro / 10 USD / 6 UK [Add To Basket]
New book for adult learners of Irish. After barely surving an horrific car accident, millionaire business John Grayling decides to take things easy and retire to his recently acquired country house. However, he soon begins to hear strange noises and to see stranger things, at night and during the day. Who is the mysterious “Grey Lady” in the portrait on the stairs? And who is the “White Monk”? And what are they trying to tell him? With the help of his sister Jackie and her archaeologist friend Brenda, they reveal the secrets of Teach an Locha and lay its ghosts to rest.
Part detective story, part ghost story this tale simply told will fire the imagination and perhaps cause a shiver or two to run up the spine. Aimed at adult learners teenage readers will also like this book. Written in a clear, simple style it also features a glossary at the back of the book.
Leabhar nua d’fhoghlaimeoirí. Taibhsí an Locha is teideal do leabhar nua d’fhoghlaimeoirí fásta ó Chló Iar-Chonnachta. Is é Antain Mac Lochlainn a scríobh.
Tar éis don mhilliúnaí agus an fear gnó John Grayling teacht slán (ar éigean) as drochthimpiste, éiríonn sé as a chuid oibre agus filleann ar a sheanteach mór faoin tuath. Ach ní fada go gcloiseann sé fuaimeanna aisteacha agus radharcanna níos aistí fós, i lár na hoíche agus i lár an lae. Cé hí “An Bhean Ghlas” sa phortráid úd ar an mballa? Agus cé hé “An Bráthair Bán”? Agus cén teachtaireacht atá acu dó. Le cabhair óna dheirfíur, Jackie, agus a cara siúd, Brenda, scoláirí beirt, nochtann siad rún scanrúil Theach an Locha.
Sceál bleachtaireachta agus scéal taibhsí, tá sé scríofa i stíl bhreá shoiléir shimplí agus tá foclóir ag cúl an leabhair. Leabhar é seo atá dírithe ar fhoghlaimeoirí fásta go príomha ach a mbainfidh déagóirí lántaitneamh as chomh maith.
Ó Chósta go Cósta by Frank Reidy
Paperback: 15 Euro; 158 page [Add To Basket]
A rare look at what’s ‘right’ with Africa, published by Cló Iar Chonnachta, Indreabhán, Connemara (091 593307/www.cic.ie).
Join the author as he sails around the Kenyan coast in a traditional dhow, visits Barack Obama’s grandmother (who asks him if he thinks her grandson will win the election), and learns about the country’s tragic and complicated history. This is a travel book, but it’s not just that. It’s also a history book, a memoir and a political glossary. Interspersed with full-colour photographs and original illustrations, this is a story that is full of humanity and of life as it is lived by the people of Africa.
Ó Chósta go Cósta le Frank Reidy (Clúdach bog: 15 Euro; 158 lth) Afraic na feile is na flaithiúlachta, foilsithe ag Cló Iar Chonnachta, Indreabhán, Conamara (091 593307/www.cic.ie).
Leabhar taistil, leabhar staire, leabhar eolais, leabhar polaitíochta – leabhar nach mór do dhuine ar bith a bhfuil spéis aige san Afraic sa lá atá inniu ann é a bheith ina sheilbh. Sa mbliain 1994 cuireadh an t-údar, iar-cheannfort airm Frank Reidy go dtí oirthear na hAfraice mar chuid de mhór-iarracht idirnáisiúnta a cuireadh le chéile faoi scáth na Náisiúin Aontaithe chun deileáil leis na fadhbanna i ndiaidh chinedhíothaithe I Ruanda. Sa leabhar seo tugann an t-údar cuair an athuair ar an gceantar ag súil go bhfeicfidh sé taobh eile den Afraic, agus éiríonn leis.
The Wee Book of Irish Wit and Malarkey by Sean McCann
Small Hardback; 10 Euro / 14 USD / 8 UK; 304 pages [Add To Basket]
The Irish mix wit and wisdom the way they do whiskey and water, and to the same intoxicating effect. Irish wit is an art form that can be sage, silly, insulting, or profound, but it's always entertaining. "The Wee Book of Irish Wit & Mularkey" is a pint-sized draft of potent mirth and malarkey from Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, Brendan Behan, and many other wags, including 'yer man' - your everyday son of the sod - on everything from love and marriage to death and dying and everything in between.
May You Live in Interesting Times by Conor O’Cleary
Paperback; 13 Euro / 18 USD / 10 UK; 375 pages
Large Format Paperback with 8 page full colour photo insert; 12 Euro / 16 USD / 10 UK; 300 pages [Add To Basket]
As a pioneering foreign correspondent, Conor O'Clery has been witness to some of the major world events of the past thirty years, including the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, the Iran Iraq war, the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Clinton years in the White House, the opening up of China, the fall of Indonesia's Suharto, and the liberation of East Timor and global warming in the Arctic. He was named journalist of the year for his reporting of the end of the Cold War, and journalist and reporter of the year for his vivid eyewitness accounts of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. In his career with The Irish Times he opened the newspaper's first Moscow bureau, and went on to establish and run staff offices in Washington, Beijing and New York before returning to live in Dublin. In May You Live in Interesting Times, O'Clery looks back at events then and now in the overseas countries where he worked, and reveals some of the exciting, dangerous and humorous aspects of life as a journalist on the cutting edge of history. This updated edition features a new chapter on the challenges facing President Barack Obama in what are increasingly interesting times.
Mad Dog by Johnny Adair
Paperback; 9 Euro / 14 USD / 7 UK; 288 pages [Add To Basket]
Johnny Adair placed himself at the heart of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. To some he was a criminal and a terrorist. To others he was an integral part of Belfast's bloody history and in it he reveals its roots in his own uncompromising and compelling style. Such a struggle should never have to happen, but to understand why it did, you have to read Johnny's account of what it was to be a part of it. Johnny's story goes all the way from the heart of the fighting to his new life in England and Scotland, where he has lived since 2003 after splitting from the UDA. Dedicated to achieving lasting peace, Adair is a figure who was for years central to the events in Northern Ireland and whose life on the edge makes for a gripping real-life adventure.
Aftermath: The Omagh Bombing and the Families’ Pursuit of Justice by Ruth Dudley Edwards
Large Format Paperback; 14 Euro / 20 USD / 10 UK; 384 pages [Add To Basket]
The Omagh bomb was the worst massacre in Northern Ireland's modern history - yet from it came a most extraordinary tale of human resilience, as families of murdered people channelled their grief into action. As the bombers congratulated themselves on escaping justice, the families determined on a civil case against them and their organisation. No one had ever done this before. It was a very domestic atrocity. In Omagh, on Saturday, 15 August, 1998, a massive bomb placed by the so-called Real IRA murdered unborn twins, five men, fourteen women and nine children, of whom two were Spanish and one English: the dead included Protestants, Catholics and a Mormon. Although the police believed they knew the identities of the killers, there was insufficient evidence to bring charges. Taking as their motto 'For evil to triumph, all that is necessary is for good men to do nothing', families of ten of the dead decided to pursue these men through the civil courts, where the burden of proof is lower. This is the remarkable account of how these families - who had no knowledge of the law and no money, and included a cleaner, a mechanic and a bookie - became internationallyrecognised, formidable campaigners and surmounted countless daunting obstacles to win a famous victory. How these mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers turned themselves into the scourge of the Real IRA is not just an astonishing story in itself. It is also a universal story of David challenging Goliath, as well as an inspiration to ordinary people anywhere devastated by terrorism.
Nicotine Cat and Other People by Augustus Young
Large Format Paperback; 15 Euro / 20 USD / 11 UK; [Add To Basket]
'Memories aren't true. But you can be true to them.' "The Nicotine Cat and Other People" is a scrupulously truthful and wildly imaginative memoir by one of Ireland's most singular poets and comic writers. Augustus Young darts through memories of his childhood in Cork, his working life in London and the life he now leads in a curious town on the French-Spanish border. His subjects include Father Dinneen's wonderful Irish Dictionary, the philosophers Kierkegaard and David Hume, a Scottish artist called Welsh, Joab Comfort, who knows everything, and Alban Perfide, a surely imaginary novelist living out his own fiction. "The Nicotine Cat and Other People" is a wise book with a low centre of levity. 'Young's unwillingness to curry favour, which makes him an outsider in the literary world, adds spice to a wryly clever and sometimes touchingly sweet book. There's honey in the wasp' - Brian Lynch.
Irish Lake Marvels: Mysteries, Legends and Lore by John Dunne
Large Format Paperback; 12 Euro / 18 USD / 9 UK; [Add To Basket]
Ireland is blessed with beautiful freshwater lakes, and while we might not have a superstar like Nessie swimming in its waters, we do have some pretty fearful creatures of our own. This book dives into various lakes, examining the creatures, myths and lore that exist therein. From the savage dobharchú (an otter-like monster) to evil witches; deformed kings to man-eating serpents; monster-battling saints to deadly magical wells, Irish Lake Marvels is the first book to deal with the fascinating legends, folktales and supernatural beings of Ireland s lakes. Going county-by-county in detailing these numerous stories, John Dunne demonstrates how anyone living in or visiting Ireland is more than likely familiar with any number of the lakes contained in the book - though probably not aware of the incredible tales associated with them. Ireland's history, folklore and legends have been widely documented and commented upon, but the large and fascinating amount of folklore and mysteries on Ireland's lakes has not been compiled. In Irish Lake Marvels, John Dunne gathers these folkloric gems - and even monster-sightings - into one volume. Fun and informal in tone and with brilliant illustrations throughout, Irish Lake Marvels guides us through an Ireland as full of creatures, mysteries and sensational stories as it is full of water. The author includes the many points of interest, the origins of some of the more unusual place-names and the legends of lake monsters and the fighting men and saints who often fought them.
Please note: Prices were correct at time of original posting but are subject to subsequent change without notice.
Gregory Carr, Independent Bookseller
Read Ireland
392 Clontarf Road
Dublin 3
Ireland
Tel + Fax: +353-1-853-2063
Customer Services Comments, Criticism and Questions
Subscribe to Read Ireland Book News - Our Free Weekly Email Newsletter