5.0 out of 5 stars
In the spirit of John B Keane’s play, The Field.
By Daniel Martin, Ph.D.-- October 19, 2015
Format: Paperback
Carby’s Fate is the story of a family dispute over inherited property, though perhaps it is more accurately the story of a community struggle over land and its deep meaning for a long-time colonized people, in the spirit of John B Keane’s play, The Field.
It is a great story but, more important, it is a story that is well told. For it is clear that the author knows these country people of Ireland intimately: their lives, their thinking and their habits of interaction. It is also clear that he loves them by the ways in which he goes to the trouble of presenting much more than the drama but also the deeper hopes and fears that drive it.
His narrator reflects this love in the way he describes the characters, particularly the main character of the drama who does little to endear himself to anyone. You get the sense that there is more to this rather crude and unattractive person, which emerges finally as the story comes to a climax. You can certainly feel the pain he has endured since childhood and continues to endure from the scornful attitude of his neighbors. At the same time, lest he appear as simply a victim, the author also lets us see into the hearts of these neighbors who contribute to his pain even as they support his cause.
However, he has little sympathy for the character who proves to be the catalyst that brings the entire process to a head – perhaps because he is an outsider with no sense of the family dynamic that is at play – though he holds back from biasing us too much until the very end when the tragedy has run its course and it no longer matters.
I was deeply moved by the denouement which is really an unraveling that still leaves enough threads for a promising new tapestry. Not unlike the story of Ireland itself. In fact, this wonderful little vignette is a true microcosm and even a symbol of an Irish culture that the modern world is in the process of breaking into and breaking down.
Daniel Martin
Comment Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
Report abuse
5.0 out of 5 stars
Suspense in rural Ireland
By David D. Chrislip on October 2, 2015
Format: Paperback
In the rural Irish village of Rathdangan in County Kilkenny, the story of Carby’s fate consumes residents and outsiders as it twists and turns towards its startling conclusion. Carby Bolger, a local farmer and sometime ne’er do well, assumes he will become master of the family farm when his father dies. Sure that the ages-old custom of primogeniture will favor him, he’s outraged when the local judge takes “a wrecking ball to the natural order” by certifying Carby’s father’s will leaving the farm to his sister’s illegitimate son. His outrage soon has the town’s “squinting window” crowd up at arms as residents choose up sides based on ancient and hide-bound mindsets that ignore recent changes to law and custom. Underneath this drama (and unknown to others), Carby has a more hopeful fate in mind that belies his apparent character.
Thomas Rice, a child himself of rural Ireland, rounds up a thoroughly Irish cast of characters. In addition to the troubled Carby, there’s his sister Molly, a successful nurse and out-of-wedlock mother of Noel, who ignites the story when she returns to Rathdangan to care for their ailing parents. We meet the loud-mouthed Paddy Crotty holding forth at P. J. Finnegan’s, the local pub, whose bravado is unmatched by his courage to act. The bartender, Myles Dunne, whose life will be transformed by these events, knows the local history and lends a compassionate ear to the unfortunate Carby. Judge Brian Flanagan kick-starts the controversy when he endorses the will but keeps a tight rein on proceedings while recognizing Carby’s struggle to cope. And then there is the bully, Kevin Cassidy, a former New York City cop of Irish ancestry, whose heavy handed attempt to buy the farm eventually brings about his own demise while sealing Carby’s fate.
Rice, a consummate storyteller, brings you into this colorful world with his vivid descriptions of the events and the characters that inhabit this place.
Comment Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
Report abuse
See all 7 customer reviews (newest first)
Write a customer review
<style>#DAcrt{display:none;}</style>
Ad feedback
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The twists and turns in the story were excellent. Gasped outloud on...
This was an incredible read. Got the book as a gift and I couldn't put it down. In fact I read it while I was travelling and didn't even care I had a delay. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Joyful
This latest book from Thomas Rice brings forth clear and authentic voices from the Irish countryside, presenting strong characters about whom one has definite feelings, sometimes... Read more
Published 5 months ago
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Carby's Fate in its simplest form appears to describe a town battling over ownership of land but in reality it has more to do with status and entitlement Thomas Rice, in his... Read more
Published 6 months ago by rsantagati
Search Customer Reviews
Search
Set up an Amazon Giveaway
Amazon Giveaway allows you to run promotional giveaways in order to create buzz, reward your audience, and attract new followers and customers. Learn more
This item: Carby's Fate
Set up a giveaway
<div class="rhf-border"> <div class="rhf-header">Your Recently Viewed Items and Featured Recommendations</div> <div class="rhf-footer"> <div class="rvi-container"> <div class="ybh-edit"> <div class="ybh-edit-arrow"> › </div> <div class="ybh-edit-link"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/yourstore/pym/ref=pd_pyml_rhf">View or edit your browsing history</a></div> </div> <span class="no-rvi-message">After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.</span> </div> </div> </div>