Goodreads Ireland discussion

This is the discussion thread for Ireland by Frank Delaney. I hope you all thoroughly enjoy this book

Can't wait to start it Declan.

I love the sound of it. I voted for it, too. I'm picking up my copy tomorrow.

I am reading already. Its going to be good....

That's good to hear, Mae.

I read this book about 2 years ago and lo ed it. I love the tradition of the story teller and his writing is superb. I also liked "Tipperary" and "Shannon", two other Frank Delaney's books

I started this book today. My enthusiasm faltered slightly at the beginning. I found it smacked of "Oirishness." The kind of paddywackery that we're so found of packaging and sending overseas.

By the time I'd finished reading the Seanachaí's first story about Newgrange I was completely won over. It would have made a fine short story by itself.

I'm into the story of Ulster now, and I have high hopes.

I read the first part yesterday and was moved by the simplicity and beauty of Delaney's writing. I found his images to be simple, yet so poignant. After the first few pages I had already decided to recommend this book to a friend, although I have no idea where it is going. I can't wait to read more today.

I totally agree with you, Mo. I've all ready recommended this base purely on his writing style.

I look forward to find out more.

Declan wrote: "I started this book today. My enthusiasm faltered slightly at the beginning. I found it smacked of "Oirishness." The kind of paddywackery that we're so found of packaging and sending overseas.

By..."

Hmmm... I never got past the "oirish" veneer and slick prose. Even the seanachai concept seems dated, a vestige of the late 19th century: Yeats, Synge, Lady Gregory out chumming up the natives for stories. But enjoy it!

J.S. wrote: "Declan wrote: "I started this book today. My enthusiasm faltered slightly at the beginning. I found it smacked of "Oirishness." The kind of paddywackery that we're so found of packaging and sending..."

I know where you're coming from, JS, but I'm enjoying it all the same. One reason I might be cutting it some slack could simply be because I haven't seen the Seanachaí concept for a while. It doesn't seem so stale to me, now. When I was a kid it reappeared occasionally and it just seemed old-hat.

I finished it yesterday, and I really enjoyed it. I loved the pace of the novel and there was a familiarity to some of the characters that made me warm to them. There was a certain amount of inevitability as we reached the end, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment one bit. In fact it made me root Ronan to finish his journey.

In order to discuss this novel in greater depth, I have started a spoiler thread in the 'Ireland' Folder. I hope to see you all there.