O hEithir, Breandan

London. 1978. Routledge Kegan Paul. 1st Edition. Very Good in Slightly Worn Dustjacket. 0710000308. 148 pages. hardcover. Inscribed by the Author. keywords: Literature Ireland. FROM THE PUBLISHER - This translation of O hEithir's award-winning Irish novel, Lig Sinn i gCathu will introduce English readers to a writer who is currently being hailed as one of the most original talents to have appeared on the Irish literary scene for many years. The action of the novel takes place during the weekend of Easter 1949, when the Republic of Ireland was officially brought into being. The central character, Martin Melody, a university student, has his own personal problems: his father is dying, his state scholarship is being withheld because of non-attendance at lectures, his mother and his brother (a priest) are putting pressure on him to return to the family business and his girlfriend is pestering him because of his attitude to religion and the low company he keeps. Through Martin and his totally disreputable companion, Billy O'Grady, we get to know the political, social and religious life of the community. Politics and religion are inextricably mixed up but to most of the townspeople both are a charade. The hurling match for the Republican Cup never starts for an old feud has to be completed. The Bishop, to avoid taking sides in a political argument about the new Republic, preaches a sermon about emigration. The official ceremony turns into a farce and the newly-unveiled memorial is blown up by an IRA hard-liner who blows himself to pieces in the attempt. An old IRA friend of Martin's father turns up from America and gives Martin an opportunity of leaving Ireland, at least temporarily, but not before he has discovered the joy of physical love in the arms of a young and uninhibited barmaid. inventory #6066 ISBN: 0710000308.