Walk the Blue Fields: Claire Keegan Paperback – International Edition, 1 May 2008

Claire Keegan is a reliable author whose works have captivated me since I stumbled across “Small Things Like These” almost three years ago.This is her second collection of stories I have read, and they are as luminous as “Antarctica”, which surprised me with the darkness of human nature it explored.Likewise, in the opening story, “The Parting Gift”, the bittersweetness of a girl leaving a supposedly close-knit family on a transatlantic trip reveals a more sinister relationship that she is fleeing.Keegan gets under the skin of ‘failed’ clergymen who struggle with celibacy - in the titular story and, though largely absent in the closing story “Night of the Quicken Trees”, details the aftermath of that dalliance on the woman. In the latter story and one of the longest stories “The Forrester’s Daughter”, silent farmers are paired up with ‘wild’ women, set against rural Irish villages and countrysides. Perhaps the only one of the seven stories I was not so fully absorbed in was “Surrender”, inspired by John McGahern’s “Memoir” (nonetheless another author I am keen to read).While a sad undertone permeates all these stories, there is that little bit of magic - almost literal in the folksy “Night of the Quicken Trees” especially and in the ‘Chinaman’s’ bone-setting for the anguished priest in “Walk the Blue Fields” that gives him some physical and emotional release - that hints at possible acceptance if not redemption.At the rate I’m devouring Keegan’s works, I am troubled that there is not much left in her oeuvre unless she writes a new book soon.

The quality of the writing, the wordsmith, the structure are admirable. But the stories lack a little soul, heart and inspiration.

Claire paints the most vivid picture in my mind, some of her stories are gritty and dark, yet feel so real.

It was quite a good book, but some of the stories were strange as though she was on drugs when she wrote them. I’m afraid I won’t be recommending it to people as it’s a bit off the wall!!

Amazing writing - so very difficult to put down. Such a talented and gifted writer. I highly recommend this book.

A nice collection of short stories set in Ireland (for the most part) that are unapologetically Irish. I loved most of them, though there was one odd story set in America that I didn’t care for, as it felt out of place compared to the others. Additionally, some of the stories felt unfinished, like there should have been more, but there wasn’t. Those nitpicks aside, it was an enjoyable enough read to experience at least once.

Awesome snapshots of life , oddness and truth . Read it folks .

Another fine book from Claire Keegan.