Saturday, 7 April 2018

Days Without End by Sebastian Barry

by Sue


Image result for Days without endWe last had a Sebastian Barry novel in June 2016, and we were not entirely enthralled. Given I’d recommended that one too, you’ve been very kind to agree to read a second Barry book. I can only say the reviews are brilliant. An Irish migrant to America narrates events that take place over the years of the Indian Wars and the American Civil War. Historical fiction, then – does it ring true? Apparently there’s a lot in here describing warfare, brutality and cruelty. So, are these descriptions necessary to the book, or just there to shock?  The narrator is gay. What do we think this brings to the narrative? And does anyone have any comments on the power or otherwise of the writing? Lots of questions, ladies. Hope they help rather than hinder our reading.
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8 comments:

  1. Rita Margarita6 May 2018 at 05:30

    Hi, Busy Women.
    I came across your blog after I googled CASE HISTORIES, which my own book club is reading. I very much enjoyed reading your comments - hope that wasn't creepy of me to do!
    Anyway, best from Los Angeles,
    Rita

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy13 May 2018 at 13:02

      Hi Rita Margarita,

      Glad you enjoyed our comments, hope they were of some help.

      Delete
  2. Sue6 May 2018 at 16:48

    Hello Ladies

    It’s a Bank Holiday weekend and the weather is brilliant. Absolutely amazing. The two events rarely occur simultaneously. Two of Jay’s aunts visited for several days, throwing me into a real panic regarding cooking. Widows well into their seventies, they travel the world. Role models, I thought, but perhaps not tactful to mention that to one’s husband. The better weather suits my parents. Took Mum to the opticians. You wouldn’t believe how difficult it is for someone with dementia to concentrate on an eye test! Wonderful optician. Hope all is going well for you and your families.

    To answer my questions regarding the book: it certainly rang true to me, but then I’m only recalling my ‘A’ level American history lessons and that was a long time ago. In a way, the actual truth didn’t matter. Those descriptions of warfare are surely universally true, in that the dimensions of humanity they reveal are there for all of us to recognise. The brilliance of the shocking descriptions of warfare, brutality and cruelty, and the way men are swept up in participating in them, were overwhelming. Strangely enough, the only time I thought “I’ve had enough of this” was the Civil War imprisonment section. I looked ahead to discover it was over a few paragraphs later. Mr. Barry seemed to know when to stop. I didn’t think the horror was gratuitous. The novel seemed to me to be a commentary on humanity, and he did have good things to say about people too. And his appreciation of the land was a further relief from the horror.

    The narrative voice was a joy. I read/heard somewhere that the author’s son is gay. Now whether conversations with him contributed to the reflections (p.273-4 in my book) on his sexuality I don’t know. I enjoyed them anyway. But the fact the reader got a variety of perspectives on events was in part due to the narrator’s ability to interpret them from what might traditionally be called a male and a female viewpoint. I hope I haven’t offended anyone here. But I think we are dealing with a time in history when most men did not talk about their experiences in war, and those who did dealt mostly with the camaraderie. I could be talking rubbish, but the narrator’s sexuality seems to give him more credibility as the teller of the story he relates.

    I loved the writing. On the back cover of my book, Ali Smith says, “ . . . you come out of whatever he writes like you’ve been away, in another climate.” Absolutely. As someone else said, the violence is lyrical. And his understanding of getting older is wonderful. The title “Days Without End” refers to a time in McNulty’s life when it seemed life would go on forever. “We have our store of days and we spend them like forgetful drunkards.” He’s older, “And it’s not like that now.” How very true. Wonderful book.

    Hope you both enjoyed this more than the previous Sebastian Barry novel.
    Looking forward to your comments.

    Love to you both

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  3. Sue10 May 2018 at 19:41

    Hello Again Ladies

    We've got just two books left, so I thought I'd suggest three more, if that's O.K.

    Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman

    The Trouble with Goats and Sheep, by Joanna Cannon

    A Life Discarded, by Alexander Masters

    Hope they prove to be enjoyable.

    Much love to you both
    Sue

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  4. Katie10 May 2018 at 20:48

    Hello Ladies,
    Hope you are well! Our website is not allowing me to post in the usual way but I've worked around that. We are finally having beautiful weather here! It’s more summer than spring but that suits me. The kids are doing well. Lillian’s vocabulary grows in leaps and bounds daily and Benjamin’s baby voice is slipping away a little more each day. It’s very bittersweet. My babies are racing to not be babies any more but I know it is ultimately good for them. Sue, hope you enjoyed the company of Jay’s aunts. Has he returned home now that the weather is getting better? Nancy, how is your crew doing?

    I would like to say that the violence in this month’s novel was surprising but knowing my country’s history it was not. The way the United States treated its indigenous people was atrocious and heartbreaking. Even now this country treats Native Americans terribly. Between the poor “nutritional” meals the various government agencies give them and the constant stealing of land for crude oil, it is disgraceful. One would think that my government officials would have learned something from our history curriculum. But it would not seem to be the case. Yes I found the violence a bit distasteful but I don’t think it was over the top. I think some of the other novels we have read have had worse (most notably The Narrow Road to the Deep North, still an incredibly powerful novel to me.)

    I did find Thomas and John’s time in drag very interesting. As history tells us, homosexuality has been around a long time but I can’t say that I have ever heard any stories about it during this time period. It only makes sense that it must have occurred and didn’t just “go away” because of war. But I guess I never thought about it? Also interesting was the miner’s willingness to pretend that those two young men were real ladies and enjoy their company. One would think that Mr. Noone would have merely put advertisements out for real women in his shows. But I suppose that would not have helped Mr. Barry’s tale. I liked Mr. Barry’s steps into gender identity. Thomas enjoyed dressing as a woman. He seemed to be more comfortable in the female mindset. Maybe he would have been the type to have a sex change. A current topic set in the past might not be all that original but I can’t recall right now any books I’ve read doing the same. I found it interesting.

    If I recall our last encounter with Mr. Barry, I’d say I enjoyed Days without End more than the last novel of his we read. Thank you for the read, Sue.
    Much love ladies,
    Katie

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  5. Nancy13 May 2018 at 13:29

    Hello Ladies,

    I've been away on holiday to the Great Ocean Road in Victoria and our internet connections have been sketchy. At present I am trying to make the best of an extended flight delay and piggybacking on the airports free wifi.

    Sue, how wonderful to have Jay home and family visiting.

    We are going to Sydney in a few weeks to visit Ivars mum so we are all looking forward to that. We have just spent some lovely time in Melbourne with Gracie and then five days exploring the Great Ocean Road. The scenery was stunning.

    Katie, it is amazing how fast time passes and all of a sudden you are the mother of children, not babies anymore, it just gets more and more fun. It's mothers day here today so "Happy Mother's Day" to you!

    Thank you so much Sue for suggesting this book. It was excellent and is now on my favourites list. I have already recommended and lent it to a friend.

    I enjoyed Sebastian Barry's descriptions of the landscpes very much, such beautiful writing. It contrasted well with the brutal portrayals of the battles and bloodthirstiness of the massacres. I feel the author handled these historical events well and the violence while shocking seemed appropriate to the situation and the time.

    I've been reading a lot lately about shock politics and collective shock of populations after natural disasters and violent acts. The scenes from the POW camps reminded me of this and the dehumanising of the soldiers.

    The relationship between John and Thomas was portrayed wonderfully.It was a refreshing example of our need as humans for family and our desire to form deep and strong bonds of love with each other. Thomas and John's family was unusual for it's time and place but Mr Barry has handled it with such care and sensitivity.

    I was also enamored with the narrative voice and found Thomas's self awareness the highlight of the story for me.

    Thanks again Sue for this wonderful book. I'll add your new choices to our list along with the Peter Mays Trilogy.
    Katie, do you have any suggestions to add?

    much love,
    Nancy

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  6. Katie17 May 2018 at 00:39

    Yes Nancy, I'll add to our list. IF these are ok with you both, here are my book choices.

    Songs in Ordinary Time by Mary McGarry Morris

    The Witch's Markert by Mingmei Yip

    The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker

    Thank you!

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  7. Sue17 May 2018 at 16:43

    Looks good to me, Katie. Thank you.

    Much love
    sue

    ReplyDelete

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