Snapshots of Irish Life
919625
Love this series.  Great writer and beautiful descriptive settings for his tales.
904377
Excellent snapshot of life in the fifties in idealized Ireland.  There are no comparisons for the perfect casting and storytelling!!!
557683
This is one of my favorite books in my good sized Celtic studies library. This is from inside the culture itself, it's people. It provides a wonderful glimpse into the world of "who are the Irish". I have others of Kevin's books, his facts are solid, he writes in an engaging manner, and includes many wonderful bits for a well rounded picture.
I'm defintely too, supportive of a book written about a people, *by* one of those people.
I have an Irish friend who observes many of the customs written of in this book (as do his family, and myself as well) which further lends credence to it's authenticity.
4496637
Although this is a very quick and easy read and maybe the plot is a little simplistic, it has beautifully well described characters. You discover how life has formed the different people. It does give a snapshot view of Irish life at a certain time and examines one of our scandals and how it affected one persons life.
243950
If you love Ireland, you will thoroughly enjoy this book.  I do and did.
1995898
This book contains pictures, dates, names and history of an important area of Dublin. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Irish history and have family from the Emerald Isle.
1653273
The scholar Keven Kearns has produced a wonderful history of Dublin slums by recording the words of the residents in their own words. It compares to the stories from the Dingle Peninsula, not a slum but a simple community with the sea for a neighbor. Nothing beats hearing the stories and revelations of native people.
2265328
This diverse collection of stories brings together a myriad of characters, ideas, and issues, which in essence bring alive contemporary Ireland despite wide spread stereotypes of this beautiful culture.  The stories  that stand out include: "Mothers are All the Same,"  a tale of a  travellers uncertain future; "Volunteers," looks at the troubles  through the eyes of a romantic relationship between a Brtitish soldier and  an IRA volunteer, and finally "True Believers," a story that  presents striking metaphors concerning Ireland's relationship with the  Roman Catholic church.  As an American living in Ireland at the time I read  this book, "True Believers" was a part of my cultural education.  O'Connor is an international and universal voice!
4538835
Bought it last week during a trip to Ireland in Cahersiveen, Kerry and I think it is quite funny and I am enjoying it. As an American, a few of the references to things that only an Irish person living there would know went over my head, but it is still a funny, ribald, satirical view of Irish woman, society and other stuff that I haven't gotten to yet.
293671
I was surprised! Some books about the Irish turn to silly syrup, other are full of gloom and poverty war and death. This book is a wonderful read. A well written life story filled with the trials and joys of this family unusual though it is. It's descriptions are vivid, lifelike.  Greta at first thought to be the victim becomes a force and her husband finds his sense of place in his family. Well worth the look into where they came from and how they survived.
2790517
One of my favourites of all time! Captures a great time in Irish history, just love it
3425904
I really enjoyed this book. I also had been in Ireland in the 70s and again recently so I related to the changes in the country that the author described so well. Good insight into the Irish culture and outlook. A fun read.
1707956
This is a delightful book.  The photos are a collection of slice of life moments in the lives of real people, unselfconsciously being themselves.  I am intrigued by the people and relationships captured in the photographs which, besides being a joy to view.  could inspire the imagination of a writer looking for a story to tell.
2776307
Good read of life in Ireland. I know the author from a genealogy web site and found his book to be very well written and accurate of the times!
373933
Excellent personal insights into a difficult and dark period in Irish History.
2094457
Charming and interesting book.  Really captures the Irish character.  The author has a great ability to flesh out a character
with appropriate actions.  I recommend this book
3491297
If you like to explore the way your Irish ancestors might have lived in the old country, this book is for you.  An enjoyable read which led me to look for other books that the author wrote.