Set in the early decades of the 20th century, this stunning historical saga follows the lives and loves of one extraordinary family, beginning with the Goold Verschoyle children in 1915. Though there is a war going on in the world outside, they seem hardly touched by it—midnight swims, flower fairies, and regatta parties form the backdrop to their enchanted childhood. But as they grow older, changes within Ireland and the wider world encroach upon the family's private paradise. Based upon the lives of a real Anglo-Irish family, this novel superbly recreates a family in flux—driven by idealism, wracked by argument, and united by love and the vivid memories of childhood. At the height of his powers as a master storyteller, the author has created a spellbinding and magnificent achievement.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
'Dermot Bolger's vision is ragingly incandescent. He has been described as Dublin's Pasolini, and truly his work exerts a cinematic grip. Bolger is to contemporary Dublin what Dickens was to Victorian London: archivist, reporter, sometimes infuriated lover. Certainly, no understanding of Ireland's capital at the close of the 20th-century is complete without an acquaintance with his magnificent writing.' Joseph O'Connor 'Joyce, O'Flaherty, Brian Moore, a fistful of O'Briens, this is a succulent Who's Who of Irish writing, and Dermot Bolger is of the same ilk. An exceptional literary gift.' Independent 'Bolger's writing is so strong, so exact, so much the right colour for each moment. Bare and passionate.' Financial Times 'A strong contender for the crown of Ireland's finest novelist.' Daily Mail 'Bolger is a lively writer. He is a bold storyteller and this bold endeavour, while flawed, is certainly never boring.' Lucy Atkins, Sunday Times 'Bolger has never written better. His has never been an imagination that works well in a vacuum, but the richness of Sheila Fitzgerald's experience and the obvious warmth that developed between them adds a special dimension to this remarkable book.'Scottish Sunday Herald
About the Author
Dermot Bolger was born in Dublin in 1959. His novels and plays have won many awards, in Ireland and internationally. He has also published several volumes of poetry. Bolger has been a notable and energetic champion of new Irish writers in his capacity as founder-publisher of Raven Arts Press, which he ran until 1992, whereafter he went on to start New Island Books. He is also the editor of the Picador Book of Contemporary Irish Writing, and editor of Finbar's Hotel and Ladies' Night at Finbar's Hotel.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating, engrossing,
This review is from: The Family on Paradise Pier (P.S.) (Paperback)
Fascinating fictional account of the life and times of the Anglo-Protestant Goold Verschoyle family, whose idyllic life in Donegal becomes shattered by World War I, the Irish revolution and Civil War, as well as long-simmering sibling rivalry and family guilt about its relative wealth amidst poverty. Two of the three brothers turn to Communism while their sister -- the sheltered, romantic Eva -- learns to accommodate the realities and compromises of life without surrendering herself to them. Events take the family from rural Ireland to Dublin to London to the Spanish Civil War to Moscow and to Stalin's Gulags. Compulsively readable -- I devoured most of it in one sitting -- it's one of the most insightful novels about class and the personal relationship to it that I've read. Includes cameo appearances by Brendan Behan and James Gralton, among others.
And, it's based on the on an actual family named Goold Verschoyle. Bolger met the character based on Eva over 30 years ago, taped many of their conversations, and waited for them to ferment into a novel. Highly recommended. More on the Verschoyles here: http://www.verschoyle.org.uk/
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