BLACK BABY

by Clare Boylan

When Alice was twelve the nuns had approached her about buying a black baby as a way of giving money to the missions. More than fifty years later, Alice has a visit from a strange black woman who offers friendship - but as a costly exchange for Alice's cherished preconceptions and old values.

Genres: Novels, Irish Literature

Paperback

First published October 23, 1989

Reviews

[Ivana Books Are Magic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not having heard of this author before, I can't say I had specific expectations when I picked up this book. It turned out for the better, because there is nothing quite like falling in love with a new author, is there? The joy of discovering a touching story! Feeling shaken up, feeling the need to rethink everything....feeling that all we say might not be enough- isn't this why we bother to read in the first place? Isn't it what makes reading all those average (or even bad) books worth while? Because once in a while, we stumble against that special book. I must say this novel was a pleasant surprise. Sometimes it is so refreshing to dive into a novel blissfully unaware of where the novelist will take us or what his/her style might be like. Not being familiar with the outline of the story, made the reading even more interesting with me. I will have to be extra careful to avoid spoilers in this book, so that you can enjoy it in the same way.


The novel opens with a lonely woman. She, a virgin spinster, lives a secluded life. Despite not being very old (only in her sixties), she is starting to lose it. Seeing ghosts of her deceased parents must not be a good sign, right? Already she is growing senile, probably because of the fact that after her parents death, she hadn't had much human interaction (she only receives visits from her nephews once a year). One night, a black woman knocks on her door. Who she might be? Should she take her in? Is offering her a place to stay a christian thing to do? More importantly, isn't it a chance to connect with another human being? The loneliness is a very important theme in this novel. Our human need for contact, for love, for consolation- it is portrayed as something natural and delicate. At the same time, our human pride seems just as justified at times. Not settling for less, not accepting any relationship in which we're not respected as equal, no matter who the person offering it might be- a lover or a family member.

The novel is surprisingly profound. Both the observation and the portrayal of characters are exceptionally well done. Now that I think of it- Claire Boylan reminds me of Irish Murdoch in this sense. There is a lot of attention given to the (mainly psychological) characterization of characters. The narrative flows effortlessly. The first few pages were a bit confusing, I had to reread them but there is where all uncertainty ended. I read it in one go. Throughout the novel I had a feeling that I not only can understand the characters, but that I can feel for them/with them. There is something very universal about this novel, despite it being places in Dublin of modern times. There are two main protagonist in this novel, two woman and their relationship as well as their own family stories. We have a case of unreliable protagonist here- possibly in both cases- but I think it only adds to the depth of the novel.

There was some very interesting talk about faith in this novel. The talk between Cora (I'm using her real name here because it seems appropriate) and the catholic priest was absolutely fascinating. It was a confession, but more than that, it was an honest dialogue between two human beings being honest with one another. Cora promises to give her details of her 'sinful' experiences to the priest, but only if he shares his mystical spiritual experiences. The priest honestly admits that he has no such experiences, that the closest he got to them is a feeling of happiness he felt at certainty of God's existence. The priests admits that he too has his crisis of faith. Not having much people interested in confession, the priest is actually happy to have Cora to ask him questions. It just seemed like such a candid moment- and there were many such moments in this book.

There is a very interesting plot twist at the every end and I absolutely loved it. I didn't see it coming and I do tend to see things coming. It made all the story even more interesting and realistic to me. I did like the ending as well. I think it conveyed a feeling of hope. After all, what is real? Ghosts? Fantasies? Phantoms? Memories? Sometimes they all blend or/and get mixed up one with another in this life- and (for who can say for sure?) perhaps in after life as well.

[Frances · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the writing is excellent, the subject is not PC! I read this book when it first came out and I realised both I and Ireland have adjusted their attitudes to many aspects of it! A wonderful improvement in the country - particularly in relation to the use of electric fires for heating....

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Irish Times summarize this book well

'Splendidly original and richly comic.... the writing is a joy'

[Rachel Rice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, I have a few thoughts about this book, let's start with the positives... there were many endearing moments in this book that I really enjoyed and the characterization of each person was executed well. Was it a dream or were each of the main protagonists real but hadn't actually in real life come in contact with each other... so many questions! The negative for me was the language used to describe people of colour or other races which made me feel uncomfortable but this book was written in the 80's so would not maybe have been as much of an issue with readers or writers of that time, despite the fact I was born the tail end of the 70's I still would not have felt comfortable and in fact was uncomfortable hearing any kind of racial or bigoted slurs even as a child! The writing itself was beautiful and honestly aside from the aforementioned problematic language would have earned this book five stars from me.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favourite quotes:
'I have always believed that those who are indifferent to sex are poorly endowed with spirit' - p.122

"I have a theory," she confided to Figgis. "The people of this country are fill of kindness, but always to strangers. When a relationship is required - landlady, mother, husband, wife, complications and hostilities arise. They do not have the facility for intimacy". p. 153

'It is an offence to catch the eye of others when you are lonely. People smile too kindly and it causes tears which in turn promote discomfort and embarassment'. - p. 183

[Molly Ferguson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can see why this is an important book that gets brought up a lot in Irish Studies, but I had a hard time connecting with either Dinah or Alice and I had to push myself to finish it. I liked certain scenes and moments of wit, but the novel as a whole didn't work for me.

[Norah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dipped into, and to given to someone from Africa

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky book… liked but would not appeal to many people… unusual