Customer Reviews

The News from Ireland and Other Stories

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This is the second time that I have read the work of Mr. William Trevor. In this collection of twelve short stories, "The News From Ireland", the Author once again demonstrates his skill with the short story format. The volume contains stories that have commonality, however they do not need to be read as a collection, they all can stand-alone.

The stories in this collection are nearly uniform in their bleak outlook on life. Many of the stories are dark, and others bear results that while lacking any physical violence are as destructive to those they target as any physically blow. One of he best is entitled, "Her Mother's Daughter". This is a story that is simultaneously about misplaced loyalty at the expense of desperate need that is very close at hand. The final action that takes place is as cruel an action in any of the stories although it can be argued it was the result of conditioning and not malice. As with the first collection I read the fragility of many relationships, and the ignorance that prevents the forming of contact until a destructive event takes place, is once again explored. The great difference this time is that there is virtually none of the redemptive aspects that were present in the first book. It is not a collection of tales that portrays the best in people, and it reads as oppressively as the storylines require.

"The News From Ireland" that titles the book is as strong as any of the tales, and divides its format between a diary and narrative. This is a wonderful set of stories that are all complete and self-contained, however when read together the Author's message is not so much repeated as it is reinforced as they are read. Marvelous writing, highly recommended.