Donal Ryan (2022) The Queen of Dirt Island

Write what you know and a story within a story about a writer that doesn’t yet know she’s a writer and all that stuff nobody ever listens to because it’s all bollocks. I’ve an Irish writing friend Turlough who’s back in the auld country. He might even be following his ancient ancestor’s teapot trail from County to County and be near Tipperary (https://www.abctales.com/story/turlough/concept-rain-jaunty-angle).

Turlough’s blog, is 100 words a day. Not more and not less. Not a lot to write or read. But over a month it’s tasty as freshly made soda bread.

Why is he telling me this shite? You might be asking.

Well, Donal Ryan does much the same thing. 500 words a chapter. Three generations of the most grand and beautiful woman in a mosaic. 121 chapters.

Saoirse Aylward is a school girl and the central character in a lovingly spun web of greed and need.

Eileen Aylward, Saoirse’s feisty mother. Her daughters been called a bastard and she’s been called worse. But she’s not for taking it lying down. Let them tell her to her face. Titular head of ‘Dirt Island’.

Nana Aylward, Eileen’s mother-in-law. Fiercely protective, which comes from love and understanding. Eileen, Saorise and baby Pearl are her joy. Much as her three sons. Her craick  with Eileen is reported all across town, even in the chapel, as they roar at each other and call each other all sorts. You don’t need to speak of love.

Honey and Josh become entangled in the web. Honey is honey-coloured and a creative like Josh, a budding author. They act as a catalyst, bringing change and disruption to the Aylward entangled world.

I’m making it sound flat but really it’s circular. This is the first, but not the last of Ryan’s books I’ll be picking up. Read on.  

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CVBVVGD6