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Courting: Tractor Dates, Macra Babies and Swiping Right in Rural Ireland
Looking for love - the most human quest of them all - has been transformed in recent years, with new technology removing the need to be in 'the right place at the right time'. Dating has never been more convenient, varied or disposable and we Irish have taken to it with gusto ... and not just in cities.
Courting: Tractor Dates, Macra Babies and Swiping Right in Rural Ireland tells a variety of honest and touching stories of trying to meet The One in a rural setting, where the ingredients for successful dating - choice, proximity, free time and, for some, alcohol and anonymity - aren't always guaranteed. Liad�n Hynes travels from family farms to tiny islands, village pubs to remote communities, to sit down with childhood sweethearts, long-lost loves and singles, ever hopefuls and lonely hearts, as they navigate this quest through tractor dates, Macra, dating apps and more. They candidly describe swiping for love and moving for it, hooking up and settling down, all while inheriting a 24/7 farm job or coming out, returning to the home place or joining the pandemic exodus.
Revealing the importance of community, diversity and, above all, hope and resilience, Courting is an insightful and unique window into dating in rural Ireland today.
Courting: Tractor Dates, Macra Babies and Swiping Right in Rural Ireland tells a variety of honest and touching stories of trying to meet The One in a rural setting, where the ingredients for successful dating - choice, proximity, free time and, for some, alcohol and anonymity - aren't always guaranteed. Liad�n Hynes travels from family farms to tiny islands, village pubs to remote communities, to sit down with childhood sweethearts, long-lost loves and singles, ever hopefuls and lonely hearts, as they navigate this quest through tractor dates, Macra, dating apps and more. They candidly describe swiping for love and moving for it, hooking up and settling down, all while inheriting a 24/7 farm job or coming out, returning to the home place or joining the pandemic exodus.
Revealing the importance of community, diversity and, above all, hope and resilience, Courting is an insightful and unique window into dating in rural Ireland today.
- GenresNonfiction
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2022
9 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 19, 2023
A very realistic look at dating in Ireland covering all kinds of love and romance situations, including with self. It makes all the more sense when reading it IN Ireland.
December 30, 2022
I liked it but would I recommend it?
I enjoyed some of the stories but unfortunately I went into the book thinking it would be fiction. My mistake. I expected it to be more light hearted and witty.
I enjoyed some of the stories but unfortunately I went into the book thinking it would be fiction. My mistake. I expected it to be more light hearted and witty.
May 7, 2023
A light, entertaining read on the trials and tribulations faced by those looking for love in rural Ireland.
At times, the topic strayed away from the world of dating and delved more into rural loneliness in a more general sense and what people do or don’t like or find meaningful about their rural lifestyle, which I didn’t mind at all as these minor tangents were actually by far the most interesting parts of this book for me.
The group of people interviewed for this book was very diverse and I applaud the author for trying to get across as many different perspectives as possible. While I felt the writing could have been more concise and perhaps needed another read-through by an editor, I enjoyed the premise and it was a nice light read.
At times, the topic strayed away from the world of dating and delved more into rural loneliness in a more general sense and what people do or don’t like or find meaningful about their rural lifestyle, which I didn’t mind at all as these minor tangents were actually by far the most interesting parts of this book for me.
The group of people interviewed for this book was very diverse and I applaud the author for trying to get across as many different perspectives as possible. While I felt the writing could have been more concise and perhaps needed another read-through by an editor, I enjoyed the premise and it was a nice light read.
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November 11, 2023Realistic, Biographical, Insightful.
I thought when I heard of this book that it was a light hearted fiction book but it is actually a deep nonfiction book written during covid in Ireland. This was a reminder not to judge a book by the cover.
People from all walks of life, people with all different situations and sexualities were interviewed.
It was quite a different nonfiction read to what I normally read. I purchased this book online from Kenny's Bookshop. I love the title it really sums it up. No rating as it is a nonfiction book.
I thought when I heard of this book that it was a light hearted fiction book but it is actually a deep nonfiction book written during covid in Ireland. This was a reminder not to judge a book by the cover.
People from all walks of life, people with all different situations and sexualities were interviewed.
It was quite a different nonfiction read to what I normally read. I purchased this book online from Kenny's Bookshop. I love the title it really sums it up. No rating as it is a nonfiction book.
January 2, 2023
I’d been looking forward to reading Courting by Liadán Hynes for ages, and I loved it.
In Courting, Liadán interviews people in rural Ireland about dating, relationships and love. I read about 90% of it on the train when I was travelling for work last Saturday, and it made the commute a real pleasure. Each piece is excellent - Liadán writes with such compassion and has a great understanding of people. Several of the interviews are truly moving, and I actually teared up a few times.
It’s one of my favourite books I’ve read this year
In Courting, Liadán interviews people in rural Ireland about dating, relationships and love. I read about 90% of it on the train when I was travelling for work last Saturday, and it made the commute a real pleasure. Each piece is excellent - Liadán writes with such compassion and has a great understanding of people. Several of the interviews are truly moving, and I actually teared up a few times.
It’s one of my favourite books I’ve read this year
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews