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fonril's review
2.0
This is a book which is a collection of 32 essays and stories by writers of the Irish working class - it felt like something I'd relate to much more than I did.
There were definitely a few highlights, The Night Of The Wake by Michael Nolan, Geepads by June Caldwell and Are Ye Going Out Tonight? by Clare Allan to name a few. I was definitely more impressed by the humorous, observation of normal daily life type stories and less with the more serious social or politically themed contributions. Some of them just didn't strike a chord with me or were more essay than story and essays are just not my thing.
Overall, I'd say I enjoyed a good half of the book and it's certainly a good way to get a glimpse at some writers I was unaware of.
There were definitely a few highlights, The Night Of The Wake by Michael Nolan, Geepads by June Caldwell and Are Ye Going Out Tonight? by Clare Allan to name a few. I was definitely more impressed by the humorous, observation of normal daily life type stories and less with the more serious social or politically themed contributions. Some of them just didn't strike a chord with me or were more essay than story and essays are just not my thing.
Overall, I'd say I enjoyed a good half of the book and it's certainly a good way to get a glimpse at some writers I was unaware of.
bgg616's review
5.0
The title 32 reflects the number of counties in Ireland, north and south. These are essays from writers from working class backgrounds including people who grew up in rural areas. I must admit I always have associated being working class with urban areas. Perhaps this is a reflection of the lack of a consistent definition for the phrase. There is exploration of what it means to be working class across the collection. Above all, it struck me, that the contributors were, above all, people who have not enjoyed privilege. The privilege of attending schools that brought them connections and access to the best futures. The privilege of never having to wonder how they will pay for the necessities of life - food, shelter, clothing. The privilege of speaking the right language, and the status dialect. The privilege of knowing the right people who will give you a hand up, often at every step.
These essays are varied, and were never boring. They are about becoming writers even though most people in their environments including families, teachers, and society, didn't see that as viable. Often the writers described "passing" - they learned how to change to way they dressed, and the way they talked. In this collection, my favorite essay was by Rosaleen Mc Donagh. McDonagh was born into a large Traveler family with cerebral palsy. Travelers are a highly marginalized ethnic minority in Irish culture. They commonly live in caravans on sites on public land. There is a high rates of illiteracy as many children leave the education system in their early adolescence. Up to 50% are unemployed, and the health of the community is significantly poorer than the general population. Mc Donagh represents the intersection of class, disability, and ethnicity. Her short essay was, for me, the most powerful in the collection.
Highly recommended.
These essays are varied, and were never boring. They are about becoming writers even though most people in their environments including families, teachers, and society, didn't see that as viable. Often the writers described "passing" - they learned how to change to way they dressed, and the way they talked. In this collection, my favorite essay was by Rosaleen Mc Donagh. McDonagh was born into a large Traveler family with cerebral palsy. Travelers are a highly marginalized ethnic minority in Irish culture. They commonly live in caravans on sites on public land. There is a high rates of illiteracy as many children leave the education system in their early adolescence. Up to 50% are unemployed, and the health of the community is significantly poorer than the general population. Mc Donagh represents the intersection of class, disability, and ethnicity. Her short essay was, for me, the most powerful in the collection.
Highly recommended.
laurahastoomanywips's review
5.0
An eclectic mix of writing by Irish working class voices, some you might recognise, such as Roddy Doyle, others not so much, but hopefully you will in the future. A mix of memoir pieces and essays on life as a member of the working class in Ireland (North and South).
Very thought provoking and also a trip down memory lane for me (Northern Irish, working class but from a Protestant background).
Have bought Lyra McKee's full book (Lost, found remembered) as a result of reading the extract included here, looking forward to reading it.
Thanks to Pigeonhole and the authors for the opportunity to read this.
Very thought provoking and also a trip down memory lane for me (Northern Irish, working class but from a Protestant background).
Have bought Lyra McKee's full book (Lost, found remembered) as a result of reading the extract included here, looking forward to reading it.
Thanks to Pigeonhole and the authors for the opportunity to read this.
karlamcclatchey's review
5.0
This anthology comes from the realisation that there are more hurdles on the road to publication for working class writers than for those from more affluent backgrounds and that often these working class voices are lost. The compllilation comprises essays and memoirs from 16 writers who have delved into the written word, all with a similar desire for their voice and experience the voice of the Irish working class to be alive, heard and shared. They come from all over the island of Ireland and share a plethora of experiences of being working class. There is a mix of already famous names like Roddy Doyle, emerging voices like Lisa McInerney and shining stars like Lyra McKee, who was taken from us much too soon, but whose words live on to shape us. Their voices are raw, real, poignant and reflect the richness of working class life. As a Northern Irish, working class woman, I saw my own experiences dance across the pages, my own life mapped between the words - that desire to escape, but never quite fitting in to any class bracket, the reality and recollections of an early life during The Troubles in a Protestant community, but not quite accepted in either due to my father's job, realising that acceptance of these experiences is key, that the harsh realities shaped me/ us and how richer we are to see these experiences in print so they are remembered and not lost. These stories must be told and shared as vital reflections of real lives and role models. Powerful reading. Thank you Pigeonhole and Paul McVeigh.