Father's Music

by Dermot Bolger

This novel evokes the traditions and history of rural Ireland and the contrasting contemporary life in Dublin and London.

Genres: Fiction, Irish Literature, Thriller, Music

388 pages, Paperback

First published March 2, 1998

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

[Malvina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book referenced in 'McCarthy's Bar' by Pete McCarthy, who picked it up and read it as he toured Ireland. I decided to do the same thing, although it was towards the end of my trip when I started and finished after I got home. It begins as half-Irish Tracey, a seriously damaged and self-destructive 22 year old, begins what seems like an ill-advised affair with married Irishman Luke, now living in England. The unraveling story as she comes to terms with her family roots and gets sucked into Luke's murky underworld connections is hypnotic and utterly readable. Definitely a compelling ending.

[Chris Waterford · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first started this book, I thought I'd discovered a new writer---Always an exciting moment in a readers life. However the payoff for persevering with this novel was not there. The characters didn't seem to develop at all, the relationships were stuck on a merry-go-round that was going nowhere and it seemed the holy grail of the story would never be found.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this far more than Emily's Shoes, the only other novel of Bolger's I've read. There was more action and intrigue, and the complexity of the narrative had greater variety and nuance I thought. At its core this is a novel about families of origin and the pain they can inflict, the scars and malignancies that they can leave one with. The tortured, erotic, and doomed relationship between the gangster Luke Duggan and Tracey, his paramour, is the focal point of the novel. It is also a story about forgiveness and reconciliation, of tragedy and hope. Tracey's search for her enigmatic father, a legendary musician of the Donegal tradition, acts as a counterpoint to Luke's entanglement in his own criminal family's affairs. There's a lot of sex between the two of them, passionate, violent, and hopeless. The denouement is as beautiful as the climax is gory and dreadful, and in the end the beauty of music transcends the lure of violence, at least in this piece of literature, if not in life.

[Katarzyna Bartoszynska · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad book, but rather on the melodramatic side. The main character is awfully whiny. But just when you think you know where the story is going, there's a new twist, saving it from utter cliche. Still though, especially given how long it is, it's not _really_ worth the time.

[Patricia Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered Dermot Bolger some years ago. This was the first of his books I read, it had me hooked from the outset. I found it enthralling and the descriptive passages reached the heights of brilliance. I would thoroughly recommend.

[Kathie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disturbing. I kept hoping the main character would stop wandering aimlessly and take control of her life.

[Maryrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favourite dermot bolger

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plus a bit of a star. The cover advertises the book as 'A masterly psychological thriller' but that was a poor description. I've had it in my 'to read' pile for ages but only started it when I was off on holiday in a rush and had nothing else to take. Really it's a music homage to some fairly hardcore Irish musicians bolted on to a fairly unlikely plot (I hope) about Irish gangsters and woven into the story of an adolescent girl finally growing up a bit late in her twenties. And I really liked the combination of all the elements. However there was something about the writing that made me think of foreign novels very badly translated - it didn't flow and I was continually tempted to skip over the prose and just grab at the plot. And I'm not sure that the female viewpoint rang true to me, leaving it a bit creepy. Enjoyed it but won't be searching out any more of his books.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hated the first chapter, but it drew me in!

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

and enjoying it. You can tell he is also a poet as his words seem quite lyrical at times.

[Silvia Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes cruel sometimes gentle. I am impressed by Mr. Bolger's perception of how a female feels.

[Elaina Buchanan · Rating 3 out of 5]

three and a half really. Unusual book.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

FATHER´S CRAP save your money it is woeful