Irish Catastrophes: "The Coast Road" and "Prodigal Sons"
In the heart of Ireland, two compelling novels delve into the lives of characters navigating complex relationships and societal challenges. "The Coast Road" by Alan Murrin and "Prodigal Sons" by Colin Barrett offer unique perspectives on Irish life in the 1990s.
"The Coast Road" is set in the small, picturesque town of Ardglas, County Donegal, in the mid-1990s. The novel follows the lives of three women—Colette Crowley, Izzy, and Dolores—each grappling with troubled marriages in a time when divorce was not yet legal in Ireland. Colette, a poet recently returned from Dublin after a failed relationship, rents a small cottage overlooking the sea from Dolores and becomes entwined in their lives. Izzy suffers under her controlling husband who sold her flower shop without her consent, while Dolores was forced into marriage after becoming pregnant, only to have her husband be unfaithful. The novel explores the limitations placed on women’s lives in 1990s Ireland and their difficult choices against the backdrop of a small town poised between traditional constraints and a coming social transformation.
Meanwhile, "Prodigal Sons" by Colin Barrett is a collection of interlinked short stories rather than a single continuous plot, all set in rural Ireland. The stories focus on the lives of young men and their families, often troubled by violence, loss, and the struggle to find identity and belonging. Barrett’s writing captures the complexities of small-town Irish life with sharp insight and dark humor.
In "The Coast Road," Doll and her blonde sibling, Nicky, are central characters. Doll is described as a terror, while Nicky embodies strength and hope. Nicky, who works part-time in a pub and plans to escape to Dublin for university, settles in a summer cottage rented by a couple, hoping her husband will forgive her. Colette, in an attempt to make ends meet, organizes writing workshops. However, her husband, Shaun, intends to make her pay for leaving and denies her access to their youngest son.
"Prodigal Sons" explores a universe where fathers are often absent and women walk on eggshells. The novel is set in a small Irish town where disillusionment, bitterness, and alcoholism are prevalent. Izzy, who is increasingly thinking about divorce and criticizes Colette’s privileged life, is a character who crosses over from "The Coast Road."
Both novels offer a poignant exploration of life in Ireland during the 1990s, shedding light on the struggles faced by women and young men in rural communities. In November 1995, Irish voters would vote in a referendum to repeal the constitutional ban on divorce, by a margin of 50.3%. These novels, set just before this significant event, provide a fascinating insight into the societal changes Ireland was on the brink of.
"In 'The Coast Road', Colette, having returned from Dublin, seeks housing in a seaside cottage for her writing workshops, thus delving into the world of entertainment and instruction, balancing her new life with the complexities of her personal relationships."
"Meanwhile, 'Prodigal Sons' by Colin Barrett, centered around the lives of young men in rural Ireland, delves into the realm of books, offering a stark portrayal of the societal challenges faced by families and the absence of fathers, with characters like Izzy, who features in both novels, serving as a bridge between these two compelling narratives."
