Dear Bookclub,
Deeply planted as a copse of wizened trees around a Bushfire Kitchen table, we eagerly lunched and admired Maggie O'Farrell's "Land". The challenges of the land, like the challenges of the read, are jollily discussed by O'Farrell with Celeste Ng in this uncommon author interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyaiaO0UaV0
O'Farrell's craft of historic storytelling through her gorgeous language brought to light cartography and the valuations made under British rule, the Great Hunger and the devastation left behind, spunky surviving feminists, spiritualism, mysticism, and not to be forgotten, the Irish Wolfhound. I really wanted to be in the presence of the dogs as described in "Land". The hard truth is that these gentle giants are not so easy: the lifespan, short; the sheer size, demands. Be amazed at this smattering of internet imagery:
And if dreaming about the someday... (not you TF)... please check out the puppies:
https://www.westoverwolfhounds.com/our-hounds
While dreaming, how about a bookclub trip to visit the Holy Wells of Ireland? O'Farrell's well, integral to her novel, sparked imagination of the mysterious inclusion.. unanswered folklore? fantasy? mysticism? Please learn more about the wells in this "An Chomhairle Oidhreachta The Heritage Council" pdf:
Also, from the top picture: https://www.irishpost.com/history/the-ancient-pre-christian-holy-wells-of-ireland-233551
Terry's suggestions for an upcoming read:
"What We Can Know" Ian McEwan
"Departures" Julian Barnes *chosen
"Project Maven" Katerina Manson
Up next:
LK
