By Tom Deignan In late October, media outlets around the world reported that Pope Francis had expressed support for civil unions, “a significant break from his predecessors that staked out new ground for the church in its recognition of gay people,” as the New York Times put it. It was the latest historic moment for a pope who has excited reformers within the church, … [Read more...] about Timothy Egan: A Modern Day Pilgrim
Book
What Are You Like? Writer Mary Beth Keane
On swanky hotels, Gráinne O’Malley’s tailor-made pirate outfits, and her own unusual hidden talent. ℘℘℘ Mary Beth Keane’s novel, Ask Again, Yes, is a lyrical, moving tale spanning 40 years about family, love, alcoholism and mental illness. Told with tenderness and empathy for the human condition, it is juxtaposed with just the right amount of humor to carry the story along. … [Read more...] about What Are You Like? Writer Mary Beth Keane
Review of Books
Recently-published books of Irish and Irish American interest. ℘℘℘ FICTION Normal People By: Sally Rooney There is something quietly knowing in the title of Sally Rooney’s second novel. Perhaps the reader is lulled into a false sense of security by the reassurance that these are characters just like us. And for the most part, they are. But anyone who read her first book – … [Read more...] about Review of Books
Mother, Life, Landscape, and the Connection
In February of this year, globally-renowned Irish author Edna O'Brien was named as the winner of the PEN/Nabokov award for achievement in international literature. Today, on International Women's Day, we celebrate this seminally feminist voice in modern Irish culture, and look back on Patricia Harty's 2007 interview with O'Brien, where they talked writing, family, and … [Read more...] about Mother, Life, Landscape, and the Connection
Report From Ground Zero
An excerpt from Dennis Smith's latest book. ℘℘℘ In the chief's van, Chief Pfeifer hears the Manhattan dispatcher announce that a plane has gone into tower 1 of the World Trade Center. The chief reaches for the telephone. "Battalion 1 to Manhattan." "Okay," the dispatcher answers. It is John Lightsey who is working the microphone this shift. "We have another report of a … [Read more...] about Report From Ground Zero