Letters Home

by Fergal Keane, Tony Grant (Editor)

A follow-up to "Letters to Daniel", this collection of pieces is largely taken from Fergal Keane's broadcasts and columns from some of the most horrific warzones he has visited in 1999: Sierra Leone, Kosovo and Rwanda.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published November 25, 1999

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

.Picked this book up at a recent book sale and thought it would be a change from my reading material. I really enjoyed Fergul Keane's writing. Although some of the details of the troubles in Kosavo and Bosnia are horrific, they are never gratuitous. He tells his stories of these places with compassion and understanding. I did find the order and juxtaposition of the letters a bit disconcerting but I suppose that is the life of a reporter. The letter about Aung San Suu Kyi and the praise Fergul Keane has for her, was strange to read in light of her failure to condemn brutal military campaign against Rohingya people. The lettera are definitely 'of their time.'
Some of the most interesting letters for me were those that threw some light on the 'Irish Troubles', having grown up in the 1970's, when even in a school in Bolton, we were subject to bomb scares by the IRA which saw us evacuated to the playing field while the school was checked for explosives. An interesting read.

[Fionnuala · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s your girl, back to reading Fergal Keane. My usual problem, reading as much of his work as I do, is that while his writing remains fantastic, it often covers events and concepts that I’m intimately familiar with. Still a solid four-star, but obviously if you know the facts, you know the facts.

This collection was different – there was a lot there that I hadn’t read about before, and it was fresh and new and a real treat. There were also some hilarious stories in here that I’m always happy to see (I am a child who likes nothing better than reading people’s bathroom disaster war stories, and in this respect Mr Keane delivers) and overall there was nothing here that felt as though I’d read it before, even if some of the subjects or settings were the same. It was a really nice surprise and I had a great time. Definitely worth a read – entertaining and thoughtful and profoundly touching as always, with good poetry recs.

[Axel · Rating 3 out of 5]

my lack of historical knowledge concerning the events covered in this book prevented me from fully immersing myself with the stories, but regardless it was impactful and informative.

got this for Php 35.00 and that was money well spent

[Anton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant writer, liked the letters on Ireland and Rwanda in particular. Very humane and compassionate while retaining his humour and light heartedness, both of which must have been desperately needed.
Some stuff (eg Burma) does not hold up well though…

[Jocelyn E · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book - it made me look up and learn about lots of conflicts and issues that I previously didn't know about. He's a great writer. All the stories are short - easy to read. But disturbing and sad.

[Katrina Summers · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories from Rwanda are particularly well done. I didn't love (and disagree) with some of the content in the more op-ed style stories. But overall it was a good read.

[Jenny Downing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously well written, moving, informative, but not really my thing - too much war, aftermath of same and diahrroea.

[Mark O'leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving