Guest Author - Siobhain M Cullen
When researching creative irish gifts of a literary nature, I firmly made up my mind not to reread John McGahern's 'Memoir' yet again! Instead I would just 'refresh my memory' so that I could refer to it in my article about his short stories collection'Getting Through' as I wanted to compare the two. But, no! as I opened the sepia photo decorated book-jacket, I sat down.
Within minutes I was away - reading it yet again! John McGahern's fluent conversational style engages his reader with his warmth and his gentle portraits of a secret undiscovered part of Ireland scattered with the jewels of glassy lakes, crystal streams, white blackthorn hedges peopled with buzzards, otters and tiny mice entice the reader into his childhood world.
The beauty of the emerald Leitrim lanes is shadowed then by the pathos of his memories of the loss of a sweet mother whose hand he held on the walk through the boreens to school. The lady who taught him the names of the meadowseet and bluebells on her way to work at the village school died a long and lingering death at home. John was left to his tyrannical father and unsympathetic step-mother.
Ireland, of course, has changed and Irish culture with it. For those who are interested in how the population has adapted to the new Ireland, both through the rise of its economy in the celtic tiger phase, and the aftermath of the 'boom and bust', will find the short stories of John McGahern interesting for they 'tell it like it is.' Literary works about 'the new Ireland' make good Irish gifts for those who left long ago and are wondering about the state of 'the old country.'
Readers who value truth, sharp observation (even when it's not pretty or cheerful) and honesty, will appreciate the gritty realism and unadorned depiction of the daily grind that is 'Irish culture' for many today. Lives of ordinary stamina fighting against all the odds and lives spent in insoluble dead ends are honestly set out. A challenged priest, a sweetheart and two old comrades try to steer their way towards the light - all concentating their minds and few resources on 'getting through' life in ireland rather than rejoicing in it.
In comparing the two Irish books, I find the pitiless realsim of the 'Getting Through' stories results from the absence of the hope that shone through Mcgahern's equally bleak situation in 'Memoir.' Neglect, cold-hearted treatment and domestic violence may have been present in John McGahern's childhood memoir but were somehow offered salvation by the warm aura of his mother's presence and the softly colorful natural lanscape with which he associated her. The early joy he was privilged to experience in his short but sweet time with her pervades this autobiographical work.
Perhaps the true depth of sadness is that her presence fades and vanishes in the short stories, leaving only an empty void of coldness in the collection 'Getting Through.' Maybe there is something in that old-time sentimental literary style of vintage Ireland after all.'Memoir' would be a truly creative Irish gift for those who remeber the nostalgia of 'the old days.'
Fans of John McGahern and of high-quality Irish culture drama will also love the movie 'Amongst Women.' Written originally by John McGahern, the bestselling DVD starring Tony Doyle from Ballykissangel is set in the countryside of 1950 vintage Ireland. A dad tries to keep his family together after the loss of a much-needed wife and mother. However, he goes about it in all the worst ways.
The controlling behaviour and dominating presence that was so useful to him as an ex-IRA man only succeeds in frightening his daughters away. His sons aren't hanging around to be treated like that either and all try in their own way to get away from their love-hate relationship with him. Broken-hearted, he realises at the end that he has learned his lesson too late - and that all want a life of their own - far away from him!
These are some of the best Irish books,and DVDs, I have ever experienced! I can see I will be doing some re-watching and re-reading while still on the hunt for truly original and creative Irish gifts!.
