Ветер сулит бурю

by Walter Macken, Уолтер Мэккин

«Ветер сулит бурю» — самое известное произведение Уолтера Мэккина, знаменитого ирландского автора, классика европейской и мировой литературы, роман, отмеченный тремя крупными литературными премиями.

Это удивительно трогательная и глубокая история о вечных ценностях. Несмотря на то что в книге нет философских или богословских рассуждений и назиданий, она буквально пропитана смыслами, тонкими отсылками и аллюзиями, которые подарят литературным гурманам настоящее интеллектуальное удовольствие, много пищи для размышлений.

Genres: Fiction, Ireland, Irish Literature, Classics, Coming Of Age, Historical Fiction

440 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

Walter Macken was an Irish writer of short stories, novels and plays.

Originally an actor, principally with the Tadhbhearc in Galway, and The Abbey Theatre, he played lead roles on Broadway in MJ Molloy's The King of Friday’s Men and his own play Home is the Hero. He also acted in films, notably in Brendan Behan’s The Quare Fellow. With the success of his third book, Rain on the Wind, he devoted his time to writing. His plays include Mungo’s Mansion (1946) and Home is the Hero (1952).

His novels include I Am Alone (1949); Rain on the Wind (1950); The Bogman (1952); and the historical trilogy Seek the Fair Land (1959), The Silent People (1962) and The Scorching Wind (1964). His short stories were collected in The Green Hills (1956), God Made Sunday (1962) and The Coll Doll and other Stories (1962).

He also published a number of books for children, including Island of the Great Yellow Ox (1966); and Flight of the Doves (1968), which was adapted for the cinema.

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started this book a month or two back...slowly making my way through a few chapters I put it down in favor of some more attention grabbing stuff. However, I just finished this book tonight closed it and stared at the book in my hands thinking I wished I could carry it around with me like a dear friend. There are books that move you and books that move into you. Walter Macken has absolutely done it again. I read The Bogman and was highly impressed...but this one...had one of the most chilling scenes I have ever encountered, the outcome literally raised the hair on my neck at 11pm by my small bedside lamp and the howl of the wind outside...or was that the winds of the Atlantic off the coast of Ireland, I probably will never be sure. What most impresses me about Macken is his ability to create a living breathing character and most incredible the way he can influence a reader.

[Elizabeth Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel has a lovely sense of place. I'm sure Ireland will be in my dreams tonight. The story and characters are very enjoyable as well. This may sound odd, but this book somehow reminds me of a wonderful 1930s or 40s black and white film.

[Barra · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Macken's most celebrated works, and deservedly so. I took too long to complete this novel and consequently lost some of the impetus. If I ever reread it I shall attempt to do it better justice. Galway, more specifically Claddagh, Galway Bay, Inis Mór and the western shores of Conamara, serve as the backdrop for a tale of humanity, following Mico from boyhood to manhood. Mico's closest family and friends accompany him through thick and thin, through joys and heartbreaks, but he always appears to be a solitary figure, hoping against hope that fate will allow him his heart's desire and that his suspected role in life as a Jonah is merely in his imagination. Several set pieces, on the open sea, marooned on an island at high tide, and in the streets of Galway, stick in the mind and will be hard to shake, as Walter Macken brings emotion, panic and immediacy to the reader, painting every aspect of these crises expertly. It is well seen why this novel is so highly thought of in the sphere of C20th Irish literature.

[John Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book, but I think it was about twelve years before I was able to read it for a second time. Every so often I'd pick it up, and start reacquainting myself with these long lost friends, and I'd read enough to remember how it ended, and it'd... it'd become too damned painful to continue.
Something about that final scene in the bay, it'd put me into agony along with poor Mico, Jaysus my heart wept for him, and I'd become too bloody emotional to be able to keep reading.
I'm from Galway, and Walter paints such an accurate picture of the town and its inhabitants, that it's like having your own tour guide bring you out fishing in the Bay or off pulling oars in a currach. It's a beauty, this one.

[Sunflower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant! A tale of Ireland, the people of a fishing village, and the sometimes terrible things that happened there. The harshness of the life, the closeness of the people, and the things they have to do to survive create the atmosphere of the book. The main character has the reader's sympathy from the start- although his mother clearly prefers his brother- he has a heart of gold and always stands by his people, though the final part of the story nearly destroys him.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohh I just found this on good reads - I read this on holiday just after I had finished my nursing training......

To this day I remember much of the book and honestly not a month goes by and I don't think about it - such a wonderful book. I recommended it to all!

[Jane Healy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book again after 30 odd years and realise I love it even more now. A beautifully told novel - I rarely give a 5 star rating - which although now quite dated is still very moving.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really don't know how to rate this. As far as a storyline, it's really boring,in fact I had a break and read two other books! Nothing much happens, it's about the daily life of the people of Claddagh in Galway in the early 20th century, focussing on fisherman's son Mica. However it's wonderfully descriptive and I really could imagine life in this little Irish fishing village and the characters jumped out of the book at me.

[Sallie Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every bit as good as when I read it in the 60’s. I must have been 13 or 14 and it left a great impression on me. I think I may have been too immature all those years ago to understand the plot as well as I do now reading it 50 years later. A wonderful sample of Irish literature with a full cast of characters who are genuine and compelling. A wonderful read.

[Lynda Barr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Irish historical fiction. Wonderfully evocative of life on rural West of Ireland. Brutally realistic in places but touchingly sentimental as well. His descriptions of the changing weather and sea conditions and how it affects people's lives are second to none.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, rounding up.
I should have enjoyed this more than I did since I love Irish stories and authors. Some of it was really wonderful, while other sections dragged horribly for me. I'm disappointed.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is very close to the Bogman in it's structure, I believe. I enjoyed it very much. Then again, I enjoy Maken.

[Gloria Mitchell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not enjoy this book found it rather hard to get into It is more of a read for men as its based on a family of males But i finished reading it

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was such a Walter Macken junkie in my early teens! As I recall, the typical ingredients for each book included:

* A strong, nonconformist, misunderstood hero (or - if the main protagonist was female - a strong, sensitive, nonconformist love interest)
* Enough melodrama and roiling emotions in the plot to satisfy my adolescent need to feel that I was reading about real life
* A brooding Connemara backdrop (and pathetic fallacy galore)

Although the hero was not classically handsome, he would have rugged good looks. (Though, to be fair, I think Macken was far too good a writer never to use the phrase 'rugged good looks'.)

In retrospect, I suppose that Macken's books would be classified in the genre 'Celtic young adult'. Though I doubt they would maintain their fascination upon rereading as an adult, when I was 14, they kept me enthralled.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a young fisherman with a port wine birthmark in Claddagh off Galway Bay. His size, his simple outlook, his family, neighbors and the English make life difficult but he muddles through to a happy ending because he's strong, loyal, kind and full of heart. This would be a very satisfying film in the right hands!

[Paul Tshagharyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Իմ ամենասիրելի գիրքը, անգիր արված և վերընթերցված հազար անգամ... Չեմ հիշում մի գիրք, ուր պարզ կենցաղում նկարագրված լինեն այսքան բարդ մարդկային հարաբերություններ... Միկոյից բացի չկա ոչ մի հերոս, ում այդքան նմանեցնեմ ինձ՝ նմանության եզրեր չունենալով...