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Peig Sayers – An old woman’s reflections
Peig Sayers – An old woman’s reflections (07-081)
I didn’t get much time to see something in Ireland, when I was there, a year and a half ago. On the last day though, a tour of the Dingle peninsula was nice. Great environment, brilliant views. The most interesting part, to me at least, was the museum about the Blasket islands. The last islanders had left in 1953, the isles are now uninhibited. Up until then, the complete population spoke only Irish and were known for their story tellers. At some point someone thought their stories would make great books. So many of the stories have been dictated and translated, leading to a whole genre of ‘Blasket literature’.
Perhaps the most famous author was an illiterate woman called Peig Sayers, not a Blasket native, but married to a fisherman from there. Her stories were recorded and became popular after her death.
So when back in the Netherlands, I had to find that book. Luckily nowadays it is fairly easy to find obscure titles, with Amazon and Google leading you directly to your aim.
Unfortunately the book didn’t grab me as I hoped it would. I am fairly sure that had these stories been audio taped, they would have been great to listen to, yet reading the stories about every day life on the islands soon became a bit too boring to my liking. I missed plots. I missed wit. Then again, I am glad I tried, as the stories of Blasket certainly deserve at least the effort. Perhaps some other author from there, someday.
Number: 07-081
Title: An old woman’s reflections (the life of a Blasket Island storyteller)
Author: Peig Sayers
Language: English (Orig.: Irish)
Year: 1962
# Pages: 133 (14212)
Category: Fiction
ISBN: 0-19-281239-4