Are You Somebody?: The Accidental Memoir of a Dublin Woman
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.55 (613 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 080508987X |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 240 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2017-03-26 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Are You Somebody (the title unaccountably lost a question mark somewhere between the Irish and American editions) offers a wrenching account of childhood and a highly provocative take on the sexual and professional situation of Irish women. They were hotly pursued, and half longed to yield, but they were not able to defend themselves against pregnancy, and they were destroyed if they got pregnant." For all her energy and ambition and good fortune (and she needed this trio to jump her family's "sinking ship" and avoid getting pregnant), O'Faolain fell for the cant that she must marry, have children, and serve. It was a world in which writing and drink mattered far more than wom
Though she ultimately became one of Ireland's best-known columnists, her professional success did little to ease her loneliness and longing for a deep connection to the world. Strikingly vivid and starkly emotional, Are You Somebody? is, like O'Faolain herself, a singular example of courage, honesty, and bold living.. "You don't want the book to end; it glows with compassion and you want more, more because you know this is a fine wine of a life, richer as it ages."Frank McCourt, author of Angela's AshesOne of nine children born into a penniless North Dublin family, Nuala O'Faolain was saved from a harrowing childhood by her love of books and reading. Are You Somebody? distills her experiences into a wisdom that can only come from an obstinate refusal to shrink from
Dolores J. Madlener said Searching for Truth. Nuala O'Faolain was complicated -- she tried to write this book to explain herself and/or life. She laid it out as she lived it -- fascinating and troubling. That she's at peace now is the consolation she deserved, and the goal she never found.. "joyless" according to Nancy. This was a slow read for me; I had to force myself to pick it up each night. I found the writing fragmented with references to many people (particularly writers) I had never heard of. The subtitle "An accidental memoir" is fitting becomes the book seems to be constructed of disjoint notes and memories (many involving drinking). A recurring theme is Faolain's disappointment with her parents' behavior (particularly her mother's alcoholism). I felt that Faolain was a bit self pitying (which she acknowledges in the book). It wasn't until th. We love things for different reasons Readergurl I'm as surprised at all the bad reviews, as some of you are surprised by the good ones. I would call this book one of the best i've ever read. I love books for different reasons the quality of writing, the "story" itself, the development of the story, and/or how the book itself makes me feel - ie. how much i'm moved or entertained by it. I sobbed thru about the last 60 pages of this one. This book made me wish i knew this woman. It's incredible to me - her life, her dreams, her intelligence, her inner beauty and turmoileverything about