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Dublin Girl: Growing up in the 1930s
Documents the author's childhood detailing her mother's desperate wish for a house of their own, her father's unfaithfulness and promiscuity, her mother's attempt to end the affair and the beating that ensued, and the devasting aftermath of the tuberculosis epidemic
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 5, 2017
Right so. This has all the makings of a very interesting autobiography. It is a charming story of a childhood in the 1930s/early 40s in the tenements of Dublin. This is a time before social welfare and the modern healthcare system. In those times the Community and not the State kept body and soul together. I believe the kindness and charity of neighbours described by the memoir are true, as they are also part of my mother's tales of Dublin. As is the reliance of Dublin women on the Pawnbrokers and the honest Jew Men. This is a time before credit cards and it was normal for households to have the Friday weekly wage spent by Sunday. Elaine’s childhood memories are sweet, sad and often funny. The mother is a tyrant, the father is an enigmatic cad and the nuns old biddies (as all the best nuns are). TB and poverty rule the city and overshadow everything.
Overall this is exactly what I wanted from this book (it is a piece of research for a story I am writing set in the same time period). I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who is interested in the social history of Dublin in the 1930’s/early 40s.
However, I am only rating this three stars as the book is not particularly well-written. I expected more from a novelist who had previously written six novels. I understand this is nonfiction but that does not prevent the author from using the techniques of good fiction writing. Personally, I would have expected that the first person narrative to be more compelling. Simple creative writing 101 techniques such as showing not telling would have helped immensely. Some more detailed descriptions of time and place would have been great. For example, don’t tell me you didn’t like the smell of the hospice and it put you off your dinner, describe it, please. The pacing throughout was inconsistent and sped up towards the end. The ending of this book (especially the last scene) is heartbreaking and, as it is true, I feel I would have cried if I had been fully engaged by the author.
Overall though I do like and recommend it.
Overall this is exactly what I wanted from this book (it is a piece of research for a story I am writing set in the same time period). I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who is interested in the social history of Dublin in the 1930’s/early 40s.
However, I am only rating this three stars as the book is not particularly well-written. I expected more from a novelist who had previously written six novels. I understand this is nonfiction but that does not prevent the author from using the techniques of good fiction writing. Personally, I would have expected that the first person narrative to be more compelling. Simple creative writing 101 techniques such as showing not telling would have helped immensely. Some more detailed descriptions of time and place would have been great. For example, don’t tell me you didn’t like the smell of the hospice and it put you off your dinner, describe it, please. The pacing throughout was inconsistent and sped up towards the end. The ending of this book (especially the last scene) is heartbreaking and, as it is true, I feel I would have cried if I had been fully engaged by the author.
Overall though I do like and recommend it.
June 2, 2010
A beautifully written memoir of a girl growing up in Dublin in the 1930s, from relative prosperity to dire straits and back again. What really stuck out in this book was how willing everyone was to help out someone less fortunate. This is before the days of state assistance, where if you weren't helped out by your friends and family, you didn't eat or have a roof over your head. It's a refreshing read in a society driven by selfishness and greed.
August 17, 2010
Book 2 for English 335: Irish Autobiography. Thoroughly lackluster - Next.
December 20, 2021
Gorgeous book for people interested in 1930s Ireland
April 22, 2011
I read this book as I was traveling to Dublin, Ireland and completed it on the way home. It was a good companion on my trip. I was imagining Dublin during pre-WWII as I walked the streets.
It was also a story that tells what it was like to grow up poor during this period, and empathize what it may have been like to watch a family member waste away from tuberculosis. Makes one appreciate modern medicine.
It was also a story that tells what it was like to grow up poor during this period, and empathize what it may have been like to watch a family member waste away from tuberculosis. Makes one appreciate modern medicine.
March 16, 2014
Good read very. True to life in the 30s
July 5, 2013
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews