My earliest Irish encounter was “An Irish Airman Forsees His Death” by W B Yeats, and the swashbuckling adventure Moby Dick by Herman Melville. Ever since I have held a rosy view of Ireland. Then the 80s brought to light the Irish independence struggle. My viewpoint changed a little. My next interaction of Ireland was through my friend David Airey. I had a viewpoint shift. But through the works of Roddy Doyle, I have had a whole new understanding of Ireland, and its emerging culture.
In the book, The Deportees and Other Stories, Doyle leads us through a journey of stories laced with ‘Spuds’, reactions to ‘Riverdance’ and ‘Danny Boy’ and are interspersed with flavors of modern day Ireland. In his collection of short stories, Doyle has caught the little nuances that transports the reader to everyday Ireland. The thing that strikes us the most is that the characters in the story could be anywhere. The very sense of familiarity helps the reader identify with the characters in each story. The topic of of racial bigotry, has been handled in a sensitive, quirky humorous fashion, and displays superbly, Doyles sensitivity and understanding of human nature.
Without acting as a spoiler alert, some excerpts:
Guess who is coming for dinner:
It had been a week of politeness, smiles and heavy silences. He could hear cutlery on the plates for the first time in years. He tortured himself for things to say, nice things that would prove he wasn’t a bigot.The Deportees
He typed one handed into his laptop. ‘Brothers and Sisters, Welcome to Ireland. Do you want the Celtic Tiger to dance to your music? If yes, the World’s Hardest-working Band is looking for you. Contact J. Rabbitte at 089-22524242 or rabbittej@banjo.ie. White Irish need not apply.’
Altogether a must read book!
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David, the nice thing about short stories is that you can read it in sections, and guilt free. Tis ne’er too late my laddie y’know?
Having not read any Doyle, I’m not to be considered a true Irish man. The shame.