Caroline Walsh

A fine collection of short stories from 2003 by Irish writers. These are skillfully written and edited stories that address changes in the world – not only Ireland. And they’re given enough space to develop – there’s no micro-fiction here.

Some address economic changes and the Celtic Tiger days when Ireland was flush and traditionally rural places grew and became destinations for the newly affluent: “the cars have made the streets narrow like a fat man’s arteries and it’s gotten so that some of us feel like strangers here.”

“Barber-Surgeons” echoes some of William Trevor’s stories, with the understated meaningful interactions that make up the tragedy of living. In “These Important Messages” a priest struggles with his vocation, which is placed in opposition to the grasping, sexual secular world he attempts to join for a short time. Claire Keegan’s “Night of the Quicken Trees” is the alluring story of a strong, bereft woman who moves to the harsh coast of Ireland.… (mais)

Forty brief prayers, illustrated in watercolor pencil, beautifully done. Some of the prayers are well known, others are obscure. There are some from the Bible, 23rd Psalm, The Lord's Prayer, Charles Wesley, St. Patrick, Reinhold Neibuhr, as well as those less familiar, such as Ogden Nash's Now another day is breaking... and a prayer from China, "We are going home to many who cannot read. So, Lord, make us to be Bibles so that those who cannot read the Bible can read it in us. " A very pleasant small book.… (mais)