Shooters, all

New books cover the reading spectrum
By Martin Russell
Irish American Post Book Editor

Fifteen Irish writers outta go to jail and not pass go. Each contributor to Yeats Is Dead (Alfred A. Knopf, 2001, $23) rammed enough convoluted chuckles and devious criminal twists and turns to make any mystery fan almost die laughing.

Edited by Joseph O'Connor, the chapters romp through contemporary Dublin, leading the reader down a primrose path of mayhem, murder and double-crossing for double-your-pleasure. The story line focuses on the quest for what is believed to be an manuscript written by the legendary James Joyce. The paperwork is stolen, tossed into the trash, rescued, stolen again and you'll have to read what happens next.  All the while, the bodies are piling up.

In 1997, O'Connor was approached by John Sutton, agent for noted author Roddy Doyle, to put together an assemblage of modern writers to raise funds for the Irish section of Amnesty International. Sutton had worked with Sean Love of the organization in staging a successful televised comedy show as a money-raiser. Subsequently, it was thought that a serial novel might also work, feeling that it was appropriate that Irish writers could make a stand for journalists who are often the first victims of oppression around the world.
The first to agree to join the project was Doyle himself, who was given the honor of kicking off with the first chapter. The book next went to playwright Conor McPherson (author of The Weir) and on to the rest in succession. The mix of contributors  included a screenwriter, poet, investigative journalist, a stand-up comedian and sportswriter,a among other wordsmithy types for an interesting potpourri of styles.

"Getting 15 writers to agree to anything at all is pretty much close to impossible," editor O'Connor laughed. But the job was finally accomplished with plenty of aspirin over a four-year period.

Characters and situations from one writer's chapter pop up in another, some more successfully. But in general, the book holds together admirably, even with all the takes on the situation. It might take a bit of a reread to remember who's been doing what to whom, especially since some of the investigators turn out to be the bad guys -- but I don't want to spoil the suspense. You won't be going wrong with this lively read.

On the more serious side, Dennis Lehane's novel Mystic River   (William Morrow, 2001, $25) deals with three boyhood pals whose friendship ends shortly after one of the kids is abducted and abused. Twenty-five years later, one of former friends (Sean Devine) has become a homicide detective, another is an ex-convict (Jimmy Marcus) and the third's life is unraveling as he recalls what happened to him as a youngster (Dave Boyle).

Lehane, a Boston-based writer, draws on his knowledge of the tightly-knit Irish-American community in his hometown to weave a  troubling spiderweb tale of denial. Although richly written, the storyline is bumpy with several troubling inconsistencies that a real detective should have pounced on immediately.

A men's reading group in Milwaukee had chosen this book for its regular get-together and pointed out questions that the author skirted or glossed over, such as why weren't witnesses questioned after suspects led a soon-to-be killed victim from a bar. There were a few more questions that lay like flat beer on the story. Yet Lehane can't be faulted for his narrative style. He paints a vibrant picture of a Boston backwater neighborhood where Irishness is the stuff of life...and often of death.

Other books:
The Scattering  (A&A Farmar, 2001, $39.95) is neither a murder mystery nor cops 'n robbers tale, although it involves a lot of "shooting," photographically speaking.  the 256-page volume follows six photographers around the world as they track emigrants from Co. Clare in their new lives. For some, the new world is wonderfully enriching. For others, the renewed lives are not so good and they yearn to return home to more familiar grounds. Yet throughout each person's tale, as told in words and photos, the resilience of human -- and the Irish -- spirit shines through as bright as a rainbow over Clare.

The emigrés have become policemen, laborers, contractors, social workers, athletes, factory workers, journalists, prospectors, nuns, soldiers and business leaders. The photographs are evocative imaging, the best that the documentary style can offer. The award-winning Irish "shooters" included John Kelly, Patrick McHugh, Christy McNamara, Mike Mulcaire, Veronica Nicholson and Eamon Ward.

"This book isn't just about the Clare emigrants featured in its pages," said editor Anne Jones. "It is about the shared experiences of emigrants everywhere, at all times and of all ages." She is correct in adding that "if we take a closer look, we see ourselves." Admirable job, gang.

Proceeds from the sale of The Scattering  are earmarked for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Clare, through the donor-supported Shoot the Scattering Trust. For more information on the project, check the group's website at www.thescattering.com.
 
 

Recommended page turners Policing, mysteries on the reading docket Just about everything you wanted to know about Irish cops and robbers can be found in a number of new books on the shelves.   Irish Books and Media (800-229-3505 or www.irishbook.com) suggests the following for any inquisitive reader seeking the latest on the thin blue line.   Policing Northern Ireland: Proposals for a New Start By John McGarry and Brendan O'Leary Police reform is one of the most hotly debated issues in Northern Ireland. This timely and refreshingly dispassionate book puts forward reasoned proposals to help create demilitarized, impartial policing services — proposals which respect the identities of unionists, nationalists and others.    Clear-headed and incisive, the book is essential reading for anyone interested in the policing of a historically divided territory and the full, fair implementation of the Good Friday Peace Agreement.  Paper, 146 pages (1999)  $19.95.  (0-85640-648-1) Police Casualties in Ireland: 1919-1922 By Richard Abbott The year 1919 saw the beginning of a serious challenge to the Royal Irish Constabulary, a police force whose members had peaceably served the community for many years.  Within the space of three years policing had changed out of all recognition throughout Ireland. This comprehensive account tells the story of these turbulent years and charts the history of the RIC until the eventual disbanding of the force in 1922.  It also documents every policeman killed during the War of Independence.  Paper, 340 pages (June, 2000) $24.95.  (1-85635-314-1) Guardians of the Peace By Conor Brady A political history of the Garda Siochana  (Irish Civic Guard or police force), from its foundation through the Irish Civil War, the Blueshirts (fascists) of the 1930s, the threat of the IRA, De Valera's entry into the Dail in 1932 -- and the creation, effectively, of his own police force -- through World War II. This history provides a foundation for a complete understanding of the current policing situation in Ireland.  It is a chronicle of the idealism and imperfections of ordinary men, who were presented by history with the discharging of a rather extraordinary task. The research for the book was completed in the early 1970s, and a significant introduction by the author describes the many ways in which the functions of the Garda  have changed since that time.  A bibliography of up-to-date resources is also included.  Paper, b/w photos, 248 page (October, 2000) $14.95.  (0-9535697-1-3) Memoirs of a Garda Superintendent By Tim Leahy This autobiography begins with the author's early days on a farm in a townloand outside of Listowel, Co. Kerry,  representing a social history of a time long past. The second part of the book provides a fascinating insider's view of a profession all too hidden from the public gaze.  The reader is brought into the Garda  station to witness conditions, frustrations, joys, hopes and ambitions of a young garda.  Paper, 182 pages (1998) $15.95.  (0-952830-0-1) "a sincere and moving recall from a sensitive and splendid man.  It is a superb read."  — from John B. Keane's forward to the book. The following are Irish mysteries featuring Garda  Inspector Peter McGarr, by Bartholomew Gill The Death of an Irish Sinner: A Peter McGarr Mystery 0-380-97798-2,  cloth (June, 2001) $24 The Death of an Irish Lover: A Peter McGarr Mystery 0-380-97797-4 clothbound,  $23; 0-380-80863-3, paperback (May, 2001) $6.50 The Death of an Irish Politician  0-380-73273-4, paper (February, 2000) $5.99 The Death of an Irish Tinker: A Peter McGarr Mystery 0-380-72579-7 paperback (September, 1998) $5.99; 0-688-14184-6, clothbound, $23 Death of Irish Sea Wolf  0-380-72578-9, paper (October, 1997) $5.99 Other The Third Policeman 1-56478-214-X  By Flann O'Brien,  paperback, $12.95