The Talking Tree by Sean O'Faolain

by Seán O'Faoláin

A rainbow-like collection of eleven new stories by one of the all-time masters, certainly Ireland's greatest living narrative writer. He is as quintessentially Irish as Frank O'Connor or Sean O'Casey, but his literary forebears are Continental. Stendahl's sophistication, Turgenev's grace, Chekhov's mystery have been variously invoked by O'Faolain's admirers. It is certain that his stories are among the enduring treasures of twentieth-century literature.As always, O'Faolain's concern is with the center of experience, with what is eternal and love, shame, devotion, pride; the fugue of childhood, the longings of adolescence, the secret abysses of marriage, the tenacity of old age. One story is set in Boston, one on an Italian lake, the others in Ireland. (from front flap)

Genres: Short Stories

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Connie G · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Talking Trees and Other Stories" is one of the later collections of stories from the Irish author Sean O'Faolain. Some of his earlier work was more political since he was involved with the Republicans during the Irish Civil War. This collection centers on Irish people and how the past haunts them. Childhood memories might determine what kind of people they are in the present. Some stories are about people trying to make sense of their marriages. As in much Irish literature, experiences involving the Church and religious schools are very important. This enjoyable collection of eleven stories has characters as diverse as young children to the elderly.

"The Planets of the Years"--An elderly Irish woman treasures her memories, but things are not the same when she goes back to visit.

"A Dead Cert"--Visiting with an old admirer, a woman wonders what it would be like if her husband was dead for a week.

"Hymeneal"--A story of the marriages of two sisters. An older man in retirement finally realizes how rigid and unbending he has been in his marriage and his work.

"The Talking Trees"--Four adolescent boys learning about one of life's greatest mysteries--girls--in this atmospheric story.

"The Time of Their Lives"--A middle-aged Irish woman meets an Italian Count who shows her the sights on a whirlwind vacation. Each is acting a role in their week away from reality.

"Feed My Lambs"--A young woman and a young priest have an emotional connection.

"Our Youthful Innocence"--A man is trying to make sense of the actions of his neighbor's wife, and of life in general.

"Brainsy"--A man's childhood friend is now a monk. He's constantly getting into trouble with his superior because he asks so many questions about philosophy and the world.

"Thieves"--Two young girls make a plan for Easter morning that goes all wrong.

"Of Sanctity and Whiskey"--An alcoholic portrait artist has a commission to paint the portrait of a man he despises. Brother Harty was the headmaster of a school the artist attended as a youth.

"The Kitchen"--A mother refuses to give up her old kitchen, the heart of family life, when her landlord wants to rearrange the apartment building. She also remembers her peasant ancestors being forced off their land.

[Mike Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of short stories by a very accomplished author, the scale of which I didn't realise until googling his name after purchasing the book in a second hand shop. Sean's turn of phrase and his character development within only a handful of pages is spellbeinding. The stories generally range across flawed characters who try to meet certain challenges, many of which a particualr character will fail at. This can range from out and out liars, people too smart themselves, people attmpeting to control alcohol addictions or people being disconnected from the motherland (Ireland ofc). Some of the stories are better than others, but that's the nature of a collection of short stories. A really fascinating read from an extraordinary mind and I can't wait to read more of his stories in the future.