Title: beheading the virgin mary, and other stories
Description: Enter Liam O'Donnell. In stories both humorous and harrowing, Donal McLaughlin
often focuses on this boy from the north of Ireland, living in Scotland. The
zigzag structure of the book means every second story returns to Liam as he
navigates growing up, away from his home town and wider family. A unique
take on Ireland and Scotland, the Troubles, and religion is the result. In “big
trouble,” the O'Donnell “weans” stage a memorable cross between an Orange
walk and a civil rights march. Bloody Sunday is later experienced as a series of
phone calls. Punctuating the Liam stories are other haunting tales from
McLaughlin's universe. With his keen ear and remarkable compassion, McLaughlin—
also an acclaimed translator—is one of the brightest lights of European
fiction.
Subjects: Social life and customs, Fiction, Fiction, short stories (single author), Scotland, fiction