Trilogy written by an Irish author; The Country Girls (1960), The Lonely Girl (1962), Girls in their Married Bliss (1964), credited with breaking the silence on sexual matters and social issues during a repressive period in Ireland following WW2, and later adapted in a 1983 film. All 3 novels were banned by the Irish censorship board and faced significant public disdain in Ireland, even to the extent of public book burnings.
The Country Girls tells the story of Caithleen Brady and Bridget “Baba” Brennan, two young Irish country girls growing up together. They leave the safety of their families and their convent school in search of life and love in the city of Dublin.
Our Comments included:
- These books arrived like a bombshell in Ireland back in the ‘60s.
- Perhaps the reaction to these books in Ireland could be compared to the reception of Lady Chatterley’s Lover in England?
- The author depicts 1950s rural village life in Catholic Ireland very well, and the various characters are well-portrayed.
- Some of the characters are a bit odd and disturbing, for example Mr Gentleman and the shop owner, and they would be suspect in the present day.
- I enjoyed the first book – and then bought the trilogy.
- Reading the books now, they seem rather dated.
- It struck me that electricity was available in Ireland surprisingly late.
- It was interesting how the books were written, from the girls’ perspective.
- I enjoyed listening to the audiobooks, read by the author herself, and reading the books myself, alongside.
- I admired O’Brien’s writing but overall it was quite depressing and I’m in no hurry to read another of her books.
Marks out of ten: 7 (x 2), 6 (x 3), 5 (x 2), 4