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An Irish memoir...Two walls and a roof

12/18/2012

9 Comments

 
John Michael Cahill is a master story teller firmly rooted in the Irish oral tradition. He writes about the childhood I remember, growing up in a small market town. We did not have Ipads and Xboxes, we made our own fun. We had adventures. We used our imaginations. We knew every family on the street. We were in and out of each others houses. Nobody had much but what we had we shared. I laughed until I cried at the scrapes he and his pals got up to! My family kept asking me "what are you laughing at Mom?"
I loved the way he described the complicated relationship between his Mom and his Nanna. His love for them both and his understanding of them moved me to tears. I felt I was right there watching the tug of war between them. He reminded me of a child I grew up with who went through a very similiar situation.
I was enthralled by the magical quality of his meeting with Jo Ann, his wife. 
I loved the book from start to finish. The only thing I can't understand about this book is why it is the best kept secret that never got out of Ireland. While making the reader laugh, it also says some really important things about love, compassion, forgiveness and community. It is also an honest snapshot of an Ireland that our children may never know.
Anyone who is Irish or has Irish roots will love   Two walls and a roof
And anyone who wants to understand us should read it too!
9 Comments
Linda Hayes
1/19/2013 06:18:07 pm

One of the most poignant and funny books I have read in many years. You will not ever forget the antics of the Cahill family and their friends...Reading this brought moments of tears, shock and
tons of laughter...You will never be disappointed....

Reply
John
1/20/2013 11:14:00 am

Thanks so much Lynda I wish there were more of you lol.
JMC

Reply
Linda Hayes
1/20/2013 04:56:00 pm

There will be...If it were not so, if it were not as I have described, I would of said..."oh, nice book John..." It is a wonderful book!!!

Reply
Martine Brennan link
1/21/2013 04:31:25 am

I read it online first.. but I now have a paper copy and it is an absolute pleasure Linda and John.

Reply
John
1/22/2013 11:47:49 am

I have some very kind people who sport my efforts and both of you are among them. I'm no salesman that's for sure but I'm biting the bullet and getting some books printed, then with the help of a very good friend in Buttevant I'm thinking of having a signing some night, just for the fun of it, so wish me luck, and it's an Iridh printer who is doing the work so I'm trying to keep the few euros floating among our own people.

Reply
Martine Brennan link
1/26/2013 03:25:19 am

Let us know when you get organised John and if it is possible I would like to attend.

Lorna link
6/30/2013 11:43:46 pm

This does sound intriguing. Putting it on my list of birthday books to buy - love the sound of that tussle of war between John's mum and I guess, her mother in law :)

Reply
Martine Brennan link
7/2/2013 02:15:53 am

Hi Lorna, you will laugh till you cry over the tricks the boys got up to! But the theme of love and acceptance underlies the whole book. Martine

Reply
Linda Hayes
7/4/2013 08:39:55 pm

Good to see you get so much positive feed back John...

Reply



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