Here's Me Here: Further Reflections of a Lapsed Protestant

by Glenn Patterson

Here’s Me Here: Further Reflections of a Lapsed Protestant features a wide and thought-provoking selection of Glenn Patterson's writings. With his trademark wit and intelligence, Patterson offers his wry take on life on this planet - from Northern Ireland to Berlin, from Warsaw to Dublin and back again to Belfast.
Boldly written with fresh perspectives, Here’s Me Here is packed with charm and honesty, humour and cutting insight.

Genres: Nonfiction, Essays

204 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 2015

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glenn Patterson writes with great passion about his native city, Belfast, and Northern Ireland and their histories. He grew up in working class East Belfast, where his father worked in the now defunct Harland and Wolff shipyards.

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Born in the 1960’s, his early years were soon overshadowed by “The Troubles”. He is rarely glum. Rather he writes tongue-in-cheek pieces about many of the people and events of this place that he refuses to take too seriously. He is capable, however, of great gravity. The Northern Irish “Peace Process” was over 13 years old when he wrote in the piece “ Peace Processions” (November, 2011) that the term “had to go” and “the Process is part of what ails us.”
My favorite piece was “Quietly” about the play by Owen McCafferty that was performed at Belfast’s Lyric Theater in April, 2014.
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This brilliant play by Belfast playwright Owen McCafferty is about reconciliation, and questions about what can be forgiven. I saw the play at the Lyric a few nights after Patterson did, and it was without a doubt the most powerful theater experience of my life. After the performance, the playwright and three actors conversed with the audience. Among those attending that night were many who had experienced the violence of the Troubles first hand, and one women who has a family member killed in an incident almost identical to the story in the play. Patterson had been asked to participate in a similar post-performance discussion. The night he was there one of the actor’s observed that there is a moment in the play when “the truth is superseded by honesty”. This more than anything demonstrates the power of this story. Patterson’s article which appeared in The London Review of Books includes a closing statement about denials from a certain Sinn Fein politician that affirmed my own view of that man, and for me, was the perfect closure.
Patterson is best read by readers who know something about Belfast and Northern Ireland and the history. He has a non-linear mind, which is part of his brilliance. It can also be frustrating when he goes off in one direction and then ends up in a completely different place. He makes up for that in part in this volume as references made in one essay or article, can show up in another. I’d love to get a peek into his mind.
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[Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given that Glenn Patterson is my favourite novelist, and that his outlook on many issues in Northern Ireland mirrors my own, this, the second collection of essays / articles / lectures that he has published through New Island, was always going to be a book that I enjoyed, and indeed it was one that I more or less devoured in a day.


Consisting of 39 pieces written in the period 2007-2014, the articles are about many varying topics, including issues around identity, immigration, politics of every persuasion, football, his own work and , and even the filming of a Bollywood movie in the Cathedral Quarter.


While I didn't love every single piece in the collection, I was frequently impressed by Patterson's insightful commentary on many issues, while there are many funny moments throughout. His love for Belfast is evident throughout, and I learned a number of things about the city that I wasn't previously aware of while reading.


This book will mainly be of interest to those with connections to or interest in Northern Ireland; indeed for those looking for a viewpoint alternative to the narrative frequently espoused by politicians from both sides of the divide, this is definitely the book to read.


Highly recommended.

[Montse Terés · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting collection of articles on different subjects, but most of them connected in one way or another with Northern Ireland. Easy to read, with touches of humour and comments on both local and more general issues.

[Shane Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are too many great and quotable passages in this that hit home about the place that we call home. A lovely read and beautiful writing.

[T H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent boook. Some of the pieces were uneven but the book was stimulating