The Broken Harp: Identity and Language in Modern Ireland

by Tomas Mac Siomoin

Biologist by training, journalist and author by vocation, Tomás Mac Síomóin takes a provocative look at 21st century Irish society with "The Broken Harp". Using the insights of modern biology, social psychology,sociolinguistics and historical analysis he explains contemporary Irishness in terms that are both original and compelling.

Genres: Ireland, Nonfiction, Politics, Irish Literature, History

228 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 2014

Reviews

[Differengenera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fantastic and truly mind-expanding book. Firstly because it seems to me to be one of the definitive works on the relationship between imperialism and culture (and specifically language loss), secondly because it delivers significantly more insight per page than many other works written within the rubric of post-colonial studies and thirdly, because of Mac Síomóin's willingness to work outside of the customary dense sentences leaden with theoretical reference. They come in here of course; the works of Fanon, Marx, Ngugi wa Thiong'o are constitutive of the argument and world-view, but never in a way that allows them to undermine Mac Síomóin's sense of moral indignation or the necessities of the polemic.

[Francis Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and would consider it fairly essential reading for any Irish people interested in understanding what it is we are all carrying subconsciously due to our troubled colonial past. The author knows his stuff no doubt. But I only gave it 4 stars as the writing style and choice of language don't make it easy to read.

I feel that the topics treated in this book must become discussed at large within Irish society before any serious talk of reunification. There's a lot of healing to be done, and it all begins by understanding our shared traumatic past.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking