Reading in the Dark
Reading in the Dark by Seamus Deane, published by Vintage in 1997, is a poignant exploration of childhood set against the backdrop of historical and literary themes. This edition spans 232 pages and is presented in English. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of a boy growing up in Derry during the 1940s and 50s, navigating a world steeped in both legendary tales and the harsh realities of political strife and family secrets.
Readers will find a rich tapestry of experiences as the boy grapples with the haunting duality of his existence, caught between the mythical landscapes of his imagination and the tangible struggles of his environment. The story delves into the complexities of memory and truth, revealing how these intertwined worlds shape his understanding of life and loss. With its lyrical prose and emotional depth, Reading in the Dark offers a profound reflection on the nature of growing up amidst turmoil and mystery.
Official synopsis Publisher
A haunted childhood, lived out in two dimensions. One is legendary: the Sun-fort of Grianan, home of the warrior Fianna; the Field of the Disappeared, over which no gulls fly; the house in Donegal where children are stolen away by demonic forces. The other is actual: the city of Derry in the Northern Ireland of the 40s and 50s; a place that is also haunted by political enmities, family secrets, lethal intrigue. The boy narrator of READING IN THE DARK grows up enclosed in these two worlds, sensing that they are intertwined in some mysterious ways that he both wants and does not want to discover. Through the silence that surrounds him, he feels the truth spreading like a stain until it engulfs him and his family. Claustrophobic but lyrically charged, breathtakingly sad but vibrant and unforgettable, READING IN THE DARK is one of the finest books about growing up – in Ireland or anywhere – that has ever been written.
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