Book review - Unforgiveable by Barbara McKeon

Literature Reviews Thu, Jul 07, 2022

A young woman falls for a married man, and as their relationship slides towards its inevitable collapse, she is drawn into a chain of events that will have devastating consequences for her and everyone around her.

This is the premise of Unforgiveable, a new novel by journalist, author, and Galway Advertiser proofreader Barbara McKeon. In it, she takes us on a journey of disfunction, remorse and, ultimately, redemption. And it is quite the ride.

Jack Taylor’s theatre of the absurd

Literature Reviews Thu, May 27, 2021

IN THE final novel in his Jack Taylor series, Ken Bruen’s most famous creation meets his end on Wolfe Tone Bridge after coming into sudden contact with the wrong end of a decidedly unfriendly blade.

The Word Ark: a voyage worth taking

Literature Reviews Thu, Aug 06, 2020

On a bright Good Friday morning when Good Friday was Good Friday I was sitting behind the counter of the bookshop, then in High Street. Suddenly, the front door windows blacked out, the door opened and one of the biggest men I have ever seen walked in, followed by a much older man, obviously a relation. They greeted me in Irish and then passed through to the Gallery.

The Little Book of Galway; a perfect little guide to the county

Literature Reviews Thu, Jun 11, 2020

As someone who is absolutely fascinated by the subject of history, it is rather inexplicable that in my five and half years of living in Galway that the only real historical fact I knew about the county was Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen hanged his own son Walter for murder and thus came the term lynching. So when the opportunity to read The Little Book of Galway presented itself, I finally had a chance to bring my Galway history knowledge up to scratch and it did not disappoint.

As You Were – as you will be

Literature Reviews Thu, Mar 19, 2020

ANY CLAIM, like that on the back cover of the proof copy of As You Were, Elaine Feeney’s debut novel, to be published on April 16 by Harvill Secker, that this is “The Irish fiction debut of 2020” needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.

Anthology challenges Irish poetry’s official version of itself

Literature Reviews Thu, Feb 13, 2020

THERE HAS been much tweeting lately about inclusivity in Irish poetry publishing and reviewing, particularly in relation to women poets. I’m all in favour of giving platforms to poets who are not white heterosexual males.

Alan McMonagle’s walk of fame

Literature Reviews Thu, Jan 30, 2020

ONE OF the great joys of book selling is to watch the progress of a promising local writer from debut appearance in print – generally in a local journal – to first book, again by a local publisher, before making it onto the national and international stage.

Stories about French people with peculiar hairdos

Literature Reviews Thu, Jan 09, 2020

THE IRISH writer Mary Byrne has gained her many accolades for her writing, including a Hennessy Award and inclusion in widely read anthologies such as the Faber Book of Best New Irish Short Stories.

Ó Cadhain’s last, existential, word

Literature Reviews Thu, Dec 19, 2019

A RARE Christmas gem has just been offered to those who are fans of Máirtín Ó Cadhain’s work, but who have great difficulty in reading him in the vernacular.

Lusting after the tastes and aromas of Istanbul

Literature Reviews Thu, Dec 19, 2019

AUSTRALIAN-BORN poet Robyn Rowland has been a significant figure on the Irish poetry scene since she first came here in 1983, and it is more than a bit ridiculous her poetry is not more celebrated than it is.

Geraldine Mills' poetic trek into her family history

Literature Reviews Thu, Nov 14, 2019

THE OPENING verse of Geraldine Mills' new poetry collection, The Bone Road, reads: “They’re glad to see the back/of all the wind-crippled whins,/turn their heads from/the rain over Achill Island,/smoor the final fire.”

Danielle Holian’s brutal truth telling

Literature Reviews Thu, Nov 07, 2019

DANIELLE HOLIAN'S debut poetry collection, Beautifully Chaotic, is part of a boom in the popularity of poetry among young people – particularly young women – over the past few years.

An aerial view of Galway in the 1600s

Literature Reviews Thu, Oct 24, 2019

THE FIRST paragraph of this fascinating book reads: “Galway is unique among Irish cities in possessing a map that not just provides a bird’s-eye view of the urban landscape at a critical juncture in its history, but also offers insights into cultural, socio-political, and religious outlooks of the town’s ruling elite at this time. The printed map is a glorification of Galway, a celebration of its importance, wealth and power in the years immediately preceding its surrender to parliamentary forces in 1652. That it was made to impress is evinced not only in the visual impact of the heraldic embellishments and decorative artistry employed but also in the wealth of detail recorded, much of which might otherwise remain unknown."

New poetry collection from Mary O'Malley is worth rejoicing over

Literature Reviews Thu, Oct 10, 2019

THE POET Dave Lordan has argued that, in an age when poetry is more effectively transmitted over the internet, rather than through traditional book sales, the poetry collection belongs more to the heritage end of the poetry business.

Patricia Forde and the power of words

Literature Reviews Thu, Sep 19, 2019

IT IS most unusual that the sequel to a wonderful book is anywhere near as good as the first one. In 2015 Patricia Forde’s The Wordsmith was published to great acclaim, winning several awards, and introducing readers to Letta the Wordsmith, whose job it is to hand out words to people who need them.

From Millar to Mars to Susan

Literature Reviews Thu, Aug 29, 2019

IN HER new collection Naked - New & Selected Poems, Galway writer Susan Millar DuMars presents a poetic landscape as cosmic as it is intimately personal, satiric, and fascinating.

Katherine Noone's nostalgia with a sting

Literature Reviews Thu, Aug 15, 2019

KATHERINE NOONE came late to poetry. Born near Gort, she spent decades working as a nurse in New York before retiring to Galway where, as people do, she began writing poetry.

The adventures of Jack and Adam

Literature Reviews Thu, Jun 20, 2019

Three years ago a new children’s book, Wanted - The Adventures of Jack & Adam, was published. This was followed in 2017 by second and third instalments of the series, The Widow and The Blaze, in 2018 by The Old Town, and more recently with Mischa’s Secret.

Power-point dad, mum in a blue wig

Literature Reviews Thu, Jun 13, 2019

ALVY CARRAGHER is a compelling performer of her poetry; a writer who manages to combine sometimes emotionally explosive material with an almost whimsical light touch which draws the listener in.

Sex, death and Swiftian satire

Literature Reviews Thu, May 30, 2019

Sex and Death at Merlin Park Hospital is the arresting title of Kevin Higgins’ new collection of poetry, which is published by Salmon and will be launched on Saturday, June 14, at the House Hotel.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.