Reviews

Lies by Doireann Ní Ghríofa

caitlancole's review against another edition

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inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

crowmaticism's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad

5.0

A phenomenal poetry book - I don't think there was a single poem that didn't touch my heart in some way. 

_human's review against another edition

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fast-paced

5.0

Some beautiful poems

isthar23's review against another edition

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emotional slow-paced

4.0

Poemas llenos de verdad, a pesar del título del libro. También una forma de conocer un idioma tan diferente como el gaélico, a través de la traducción al inglés de la propia escritora.

Es un inglés accesible para poder leer los poemas sin demasiada dificultad. No son complicados, van directos al tema: amor, desamor, crecimiento, soledad...

laurenmckane's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

bartvanovermeire's review against another edition

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5.0

The most beautiful book I only understood half of. I think this is my favorite of her three poetry collections (the three I could read 😉). Effortless and enchanting, the poems switch from dishwashers to Vasco da Gama to tattoos to Newton's first law to tinfoil to Санкт-Петербург. Quotidian and worldly at the same time, it's magical. 

Ar mo chroíse, is tusa an chréacht a d'fhill.

bgg616's review against another edition

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5.0

Ní Ghríofa, born in Galway, and raised in County Clare, is currently being touted for [b:A Ghost In The Throat|51498568|A Ghost In The Throat|Doireann Ní Ghríofa|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1591993457l/51498568._SY75_.jpg|76159117]. This 2018 volume is her first that is bilingual Irish/English. It has been translated by the poet. Translation, particularly the question of translating poetry, is a debated topic. My knowledge of Irish is limited, despite four years of study. It is a difficult language. But my bit of Irish, and my training as a linguist make it possible to appreciate Ní Ghríofa's translation approach. At times, the English version is shorter. Verses may be longer in one language or the other, depending on the poem.

Many of Ní Ghríofa's poems describe the quotidian. She writes poems about tin foil, a dishwasher, and potatoes. Yet, there is beneath the surface, much more. A poem about tin foil appears to be a lyrical description of foil being released from its box, to expand into nature, flowing like a waterfall, then back to its box. This poem description can be read as the containment of human emotion, freed, and then brought under control again. The poems express deep themes of loss. The poet suffered the loss of a child, and is mother to four living children.

I encourage readers to pick up this collection. Don't ignore the Irish version of the poems at the risk of missing some of the delights of her work.

an_cailin_corcaioch's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

4.0

leabhar_love's review

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emotional reflective slow-paced

4.0

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