Category: Books
Off the Shelf: A Thread of Violence
Mark O’Connell’s book, “A Thread of Violence,” takes a riveting departure from typical Irish literature, focusing on Malcolm Macarthur’s notorious crimes in 1982. Born into privilege, Macarthur’s descent into heinous acts, including the brutal murders of Bridie Dargan and Donal Dunne, captivates readers. O’Connell’s gripping narrative, intertwined with historical context, provides a unique perspective on this crime noir.
Off the Shelf: The Paper Man
“The Paper Man” by Billie O’Callaghan is a powerful and emotionally charged novel that unfolds a love story set against the backdrop of pivotal world events. The book takes readers on a journey through 1980s Cork, Ireland, where protagonist Jack Shive discovers a cache of love letters, revealing a hidden past of a long-dead Austrian immigrant. This story of identity, love, and mystery spans two time frames and two countries, leaving a lasting impact on multiple generations.
Off the Shelf: The Lock-Up
By Terry Kenneally By John Banville Hanover Square Press ISBN-13:978-1-44963-4 2023 315 pp. Review by Terrence Kenneally Quirke, the only name he ever goes by, is the brooding pathologist central […]
Out of the Mailbag, Comes Songs & Stories: Six Decades On, Derek Warfield Continues to Entertain Audiences and Commemorate Irish Patriotism
By John O’Brien, Jr@Jobjr Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones Set to Perform at Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival and Milwaukee Irish Fest Derek Warfield has spent more than sixty […]
Out of the Mailbag, Comes Songs & Stories: High Kings Release New Album
By John O’Brien, Jr@Jobjr The High Kings, Finbarr Clancy (Tipperary), Darren Holden (Kilkenny), Paul O’ Brien (Laois) and Brian Dunphy (Dublin) known collectively as Ireland’s most successful modern-era folk act, are […]
Out of the Mailbag Comes Songs & Stories: Language and Belfast Elephants
By John O’Brien, Jr.@Jobjr The Elephant of BelfastBy S. Kirk WalshCounterpoint Press ISBN: 978-1-64009-511-3. 320 Pages This national bestseller has such an unusual storyline, I just had to get it. […]
Off the Shelf: The Queen of Dirt Island
By Donal RyanViking Publisher ISBN 9780593652930 2023 244 pp. Review by Terrence J. Kenneally One of this columns favorite Irish novelists’ latest book is full of heart and spark, but […]
On This Day in Irish History: Old God’s Time
By Sebastian BarryFaber & Faber Ltd. ISBN 978-0-571-33278-6 2023 261 pp Review by Terrence Kenneally Old God’s Time is the sixth work of fiction this column has reviewed of Barry’s […]
Off the Shelf: My Father’s House
Off the Shelf: My Father’s HouseBy Joseph O’Connor, Europa Editions, ISBN-978-1-60945-835-5Review by Terry Kenneally From the acclaimed, best-selling author of Star of the Sea and winner of the 2021 Irish […]
Off the Shelf: We Don’t Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland
Off the Shelf: We Don’t Know Ourselves a Personal History of Modern IrelandBy Fintan O’Toole Livewright Publishing ISBN 978-1-63149-653-0 2021 616 pp. Review by Terrence J. Kenneally O’Toole, who has […]