An exceptional anthology drawing from Irish myths and legends
This week there are two books that deal with overcoming adversity, an exceptional anthology drawing from Irish myths and legends, a novel about three disparate people united in the common cause of finding confidence, and a charming story centred on a precious, priceless violin.
Unspeakable, Drs Gwen Adshead and Eileen Horne, Faber, €24
Subtitled ‘Stories of Survival and Transformation After Trauma’, the opening line of the book is striking: ‘This is not a book about trauma.’ And in the times we live in, we could probably do without that. Instead, this is a collection of real case histories, with names and other facts changed, of people who have experienced horrendous traumas in their lifetimes and who have emerged, eventually, with hope and some level of happiness.
The authors do not believe that trauma, even extreme trauma, needs to define the rest of a victim’s life. Given the right set of tools and circumstances, they argue we can all heal. There’s a prisoner of war, a refugee, a hostage, a woman who can’t say her husband’s name, there’s any amount of suffering here but there are also solutions in each case.
And it’s argued that although language is powerful and can be destructive, silence can be the same. Written with the minimum of jargonistic psychobabble, and with great empathy, it’s a book essentially about the ability of the human spirit to triumph, even over extreme adversity.
Fear Less, Dr David Coleman, Gill, €18.99
Coleman is a well-known child psychology expert, frequently guesting on radio and TV programmes and an encouraging figure in the minefield of parenting. Here, he offers 10 steps for parents to make their anxious child less anxious.
A parent with an anxious child may, understandably, become anxious themselves, and nothing good ever came out of being paralysed with fear, so the reader is shown here how to handle their own anxieties, to serve as a role model for their anxious child. Life is full of bumps and lumps but not every drama needs to be a crisis. Some of his advice is common sense, but there are lots of tips too, tips that a stressed parent might not have thought of.
In his afterword, Coleman reminds us that we cannot be a perfect parent, but we can be ‘good enough’ and if we’re willing to walk with our kids through their problems with anxiety, we show them that negative feelings and fear can be acknowledged, talked about, dealt with, and overcome.
The Confidence Club, Áine Toner, Austin Macauley, €15.59
The story opens with a notice aimed at people lacking in self-confidence. ‘Join the Confidence Club. St Finnian’s Church Hall, Tuesdays at 7pm.’ Three Dubliners heed the call. There’s Emer, working round the clock as a PA for the boss from hell.
There’s Terry, who confesses he was never a sweaty man, not until he realised he has a Father of the Bride speech coming up very soon. Now he sweats buckets! And there’s Sarah with the Neanderthal husband who declared this club to be a waste of time, she’d be better off learning how to cook a decent dinner. All three show up, but the facilitator doesn’t.
And so these timorous, half-tortured and put-upon people with no confidence between them take matters into their own hands; they will run the group themselves and be its participants, the literal epitome of self-help. But there’s plenty to go wrong as they gradually bond and make their respective journeys.
Peppered with a substantial supporting cast and with plenty to say about the pitfalls of contemporary culture, this novel is bursting with heart, humour and humanity.
Banshee, Ed. Ailbhe Malone, John Murray, €22.99
It’s the sheer diversity of writers that contribute to this anthology of stories about Ireland’s ancient queens and goddesses that makes it so appealing. From famous commercial fiction writers to bestselling crime writers, to those who produce engrossing and beautiful literary fiction, and even a YA author, this is a delightful mashup of some of our best women writers, all pitching in their tuppence worth on mythical Irish heroines.
The inimitable Jess Kidd’s opening story, Boann, about the origin of the Boyne, will appeal to those who live in its valleys but there’s plenty more to delight and wonder at, with stories from the likes of Sheila O’Flanagan, Wendy Erskine, Anne Griffin, Megan Nolan, Jane Casey, Naoise Dolan and more. Characters like Etain, Diarmuid and Gráinne, Deirdre of the Sorrows, the Children of Lir, merrows and changelings and plenty more, are presented here to the educated 21st century reader with style and substance. It’s a very fine collection and one for the bedside table.
The Violin Maker’s Secret, Evie Woods, Harper Collins, €12.99
Baggage handler Devlin, working in Heathrow, finds an old violin in the lost and found and something tells him it’s special. He convinces his boss to sell it to him, without waiting the obligatory three months to see if it’s claimed. He gives it to his girlfriend as a present. Wrong move. Retired teacher Walter has lived alone all his life and is now on the brink of suicide.
He’s had enough solitude. Gabrielle, proprietor of a musical instrument shop and appraiser of antique violins, lives in the past and in the stellar musical career she should have had but didn’t. Turns out this priceless violin was stolen from Christie's just before it was due to be auctioned for millions. And the thieves are on its tail, meaning they’re also on the tail of these three lonely Londoners.
Woods’s knowledge and research is worn lightly here, the musical interest nestling comfortably between the folds of crime caper and uplit friendship fable, blending both genres with considerable skill. A heatwarmer, with a special appeal for music fans.
Footnotes
Almost every public space, the free ones and the ones you pay to enter, have events organised for the little people around the Easter holidays with plenty of bunnies, chicks, Easter egg hunts and more, so check the nearest ones to you on their website or Facebook page.
The public libraries are also doing their bit over the Easter break, so do check out your local library. Many of the smaller local branches are doing child-friendly things as well as the bigger county libraries.
Happy Easter.