 |
| Timeless old books (Wiki Commons) |
Remember when there was no Barnes & Noble as we know it, complete with coffee shop? Or Booksamillion, or the late, lamented Borders? Back then, in Ireland, Eason's sold something people picking up a book to read on a bench on St. Stephen's Green might easily like to have. An essential, in fact, for enjoying books to the full: A snack. Chocolate bars and other things that go down well with a good read were on offer close to the tills. Eason's also sold writing tablets, pens and pencils as well, in case a reader had some musings he or she wanted to save while reading.
The Irish were way ahead of America in that. But books--and the entire culture of literature--has always been important to the Irish. Here then, the odd book you may want to read for fun, enlightenment or...well, because it's a book, and, better, it has something to do with Ireland.
Walter Macken
Top of mind at the moment is the first Irish-oriented book I ever read, Seek The Fair Land by Walter Macken. I was 14, so it was a while back and I recalls little of it, except the scene in front of the fireplace my father thought I was too young to read. In any case, a precis of that book from TourismIreland.com:
Des KennyThe first book in Macken’s famous Historical Trilogy, this book tells the story of Dominick MacMahon whose wife has been slain by Cromwell’s troops in the bloody massacre at Drogheda and who flees with his son and daughter accompanied by a wounded priest Father Sebastian. As the English soldiers continue to rampage, murder and pillage, they and a few other brave men set out to seek a “fair land” over the hill. As they journey westwards, they are relentlessly pursued by Coote the Cromwellian Rules of Connaught. A gripping story, beautifully narrated it is impossible to put this book down.
A couple of years ago, I read Kenny’s Choice 101 Irish Books you Must Read, by Des Kenny. I loved that, too, and dismiss the critics who thought it was incomplete as it left out anything by James Joyce. But Joyce is more famous as an icon, among many, than as a writer. His prose is difficult, and not for everyone. Kenny’s choices have broad appeal, and you could do worse than to thumb through his wonderful book and see how many you’ve already read, and how many more you’d like to.
From TourismIreland.com, re 101, etc.:
Des Kenny's book store is on the Tuam Road, outside Galway. Well worth a visit, I'd say.If you can't get there, order a copy through the Kenny's ad on this site.A celebration of Kenny’s Irish Book Club and a tribute to his parents, Des and Maureen Kenny as well as to authors, publishers, booksellers and booklovers everywhere, Des Kenny introduces the reader to a panorama of 101 books of Irish interest which represent all aspects of Irish culture. As well as some current titles, the collection includes books that haven’t been read for at least a generation as well as books that never got the attention they deserved. All books were chosen not only because of their intrinsic merit but also because they represent an important aspect of Irish life and society."
Nicky McBride (indeed, the pen name of one of Keltopia's founders) has penned a wild ride through the oddities of learning to drive in the UK. Traipsing back and forth between East Anglia and Brooklyn, all sorts of mildly evil characters rev up the story of how a gormless ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) solves an international murder in his own backyard. Read an interview with the author here. Or buy the Kindle version via the ad on this page. Paper version out soon. HINT: The Kindle version is less expensive, and you don't need a Kindle to read it. Click here for a free download to use on your home computer and read Kindle books.
