A second life

by Dermot Bolger

Following a car crash, for several seconds, Dublin photographer Sean Blake is clinically dead. When he plummets back to life, it is into a world which, for him, has profoundly changed.

Genres: Irish Literature, Ireland, Book Club

312 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Dermot Bolger is an Irish novelist, playwright and poet born in Finglas, a suburb of Dublin.

His work is often concerned with the articulation of the experiences of working-class characters who, for various reasons, feel alienated from society. Bolger questions the relevance of traditional nationalist concepts of Irishness, arguing for a more plural and inclusive society.

In the late 1970s Bolger set up Raven Arts Press, which he ran until 1992 when he co-founded New Island Press.

Reviews

[Mary Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Second Life tells the story of a man who crashes his car and experiences a death like vision. His story then unfolds and he begins to reevaluate his life, his background and parents. Sad in parts it is a story that has been told many times in Ireland. Him finding himself is part of him finding a way to bind two aspects of his life. This is not a happy ever after tale but I found it riveting

[John Ollerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book, not unlike Solar Bones. Loved it. What an amazing find.

[Oakleigh Irish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though A Second Life was first published in 1993 and later revised in 2010 the story seems more poignant and relevant that ever in the wake of the Commission into Irish Mothers and Baby Homes, which handed down its findings as recently as 9 months ago. As an account of Mother & Baby Homes and the moral temperature of mid-20th century Irish society, A Second Life is a masterpiece. Beautifully written with control and style, empathy and intelligence.

[André · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review : De Ierse freelance persfotograaf Sean Blake krijgt net voor Kerstmis een ernstig auto-ongeluk. Hij is enkele tientallen seconden klinisch dood. Hij heeft die bijna dood-ervaring die velen vóór hem hadden: een witte tunnel en gezichten van dierbare overledenen. Er is één gezicht van een jongeman dat hem bekend voorkomt, maar waarvan hij niet weet hoe hij het kent en dat hem dwingt om terug te gaan naar waar hij vandaan komt.
Hij verweert zich, want hij voelt zich gekoesterd in rust en vrede. Maar de jongeman blijft onverbiddelijk, hij moet terug. Dan hoort hij een stem van een verpleger die zegt: 'Hij haalt het, zijn hart klopt weer'. Hij heeft het inderdaad gehaald, maar daar is hij helemaal niet blij mee. Zijn revalidatie verloopt vlekkeloos, maar zijn wil om te leven is verdwenen. Hij zou terug willen naar waar hij geweest is.

Het boek is in die zin interessant dat er heel wat actuele thema's in behandeld worden. De manier waarop is echter niet altijd even geloofwaardig. Het hele verhaal zit trouwens vol met gaten. Het zou aan de schrijver kunnen liggen, maar ook, en dat acht ik waarschijnlijker, aan de vertaling.
Toch bevat dit boek minstens twee belangrijke elementen om het te lezen, namelijk de ervaringen met een klinische dood en de speurtocht naar een biologische moeder.

[John Dawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like ‘The Valparaiso Voyage', A Second Life explores sins of the past, and their consequences, in this case the Magdalene Laundries system in Ireland. This story is told through the eyes of the adopted son, who reaches a crisis, of identity and becomes consumed with anger at the wrong done to his birth mother. A bleak tale but ultimately redemptive.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. I like that the author addresses the issue of single motherhood in Ireland in the 20th century from different perspectives. He gives the mother and child primacy but.weaves in the stories of other family members, the clergy and of societal views of the time.

[Frank Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://franklparker.com/2017/06/25/w...

[Tiia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Annalena Hobrack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zieht sich zwischendurch ganz schön, aber die Story an sich ist echt fesselnd.

[Bob Kavanagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliantly written book. It was a pleasure to read. The story concerns a man Sean Blake who is an adopted child who after a car crash during which he dies for a few minutes is obsessed with discovering his origins and begins to track down his birth mother. She is also obsessed with the thought that she will meet her first born son and the narrative tracks her constant forlorn search for him.
It deals with the very deep emotions experienced by both and the effect that the search has on their respective families. It is profound in the depth through which the author skilfully takes the reader through the methods employed by them to find each other.
I found the book touching and emotional and I was angry and sad during the reading, this to me is a sign of a great book and author I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read. I wont reveal the story as it's important to discover it for yourself

[Melodie1974 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Première partie plate à mort pour moi (un homme meurt cliniquement quelques secondes et revient à la vie avec des sensations bizarres, des gens qu'il a vus, etc. ; beaucoup de divagations et de racontage de souvenirs plates). Mais une deuxième partie qui se reprend, où on en apprend un peu sur la terrible situation des filles qui tombaient enceintes en Irlande dans les années 50 et qui étaient envoyées dans des couvents pour se cacher et accoucher avant de devoir donner leur bébé.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

bien qu'abordant de nombreux thèmes autour de l'abandon et de l'adoption en IRELANDE, ce livre nous offre un belle aventure. On peut cependant regretter que les personnages ne soient davantage travailler !

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant and powerful story.

[Augustin Erba · Rating 4 out of 5]

(The rewritten novel published in 2010). A well written, angry novel about some of the sins of the Catholic church in Ireland.

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent gripping read.

[Kim Cl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this was a lovely novel. I enjoyed reading it. You feel sympathy for the character in his search for his mother and the struggle he feels with it.