The Blue Hen

by Des Dillon

Book by Dillon, Des

54 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2004

About the author

Des Dillon was born and brought up in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, and studied English at Strathclyde University. A former teacher, he is now a poet, short story writer, novelist and dramatist writing for radio, stage, television and film. He has taught Creative Writing at the Arvon Foundation and was Writer in Residence at Castlemilk, Glasgow, between 1998 and 2000. Des now lives in Galloway with his wife and two dogs, one of whom really did walk on the ceiling during an epileptic fit.

Reviews

[Susan Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Des Dillon captures the hopelessness and despair of the long term unemployed in his short book, The Blue Hen. The book portrays the effects of continuing unemployment in a small village near Glasgow and the resulting downward spiral into drug abuse, alcoholism and depression.

The story focuses on two men, John and his friend who is not named. The story is told from the point of view of the unnamed friend. John and his friend were employed at a local factory which produced steel tubes for gas pipes. They spent months expecting the factory to close yet when it does they, and their work mates, are unprepared for the ongoing ramifications. Many are left unemployed with few prospects for obtaining regular work again. Too many idle people cause numerous social problems. John and his friend attempt several schemes to earn money but all are thwarted by lack of knowledge, lack of skill or by being sabotaged by former work mates.

Des Dillon does an excellent job in capturing the frustration and dejection of the perpetual jobless.

This book is part of the Quick Reads series and is an insightful read.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

The closing down of a steelworks starts a spiral down for the town and people that live there.

This book takes a very bleak look at the effects of unemployment / lack of hope on the lives of two men.