'Amongst Women' by John McGahern has been condensed by the author and serialised for radio broadcast in 10 short episodes, the first of which is available now on BBC Radio 4 online.
The novel tells the story of an old war veteran, living in Great Meadow on the border between Eire and Northern Ireland in a rural paradise, and passing out the last of his days as a farmer there. He fought in the 'Irish War Of Independence'; the name given to the conflict which officially was between The British Army and a band of Irish guerilla fighters (IRA) which happened in 1919 - 1921.
In the first episode of this adaptation we learn that Moran (that's his name) has three daughters and they all come from various parts of the British Isles to visit him, and with his wife they celebrate Monahan Day, which we learn about as being a local custom. Moran is stuck in the past, and is at best, cantankerous. All through this episode there are more than a few hints of his anymosity towards his friends, his neighbours, even himself. And as the story easily and fluidly mixed his past recollections with the present of the narrative, we begin to understand him and his familiar dynamics. His three daughters are the light and soul for him, and he eventually opens up and starts to speak about his time in the war - something he had never done before. We begin to get an understanding that Moran is struggling to come to terms with his past and his present, and how the females in his life (all four of them) have had their lives and thoughts shaped by his upbringing, dogma, and maybe even perhaps tyranny... there are tantalising hints......! There is also plenty of bonhomie and humanity in this story, and yet there is also a sense of impending doom too. I don't know the storyline though, and so I guess we'll all just have to wait and tune in for the next 9 episodes to find out.
The story is read by the amiably-voiced Lloyd Hutchinson and produced for radio by Celia De Wolff.
Reviewer - Alastair Zyggu
on - 19/5/20
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