Her Kind by Niamh Boyce: The Spirit of Petronelle Soars

Her Kind is the second novel by writer Niamh Boyce. Her debut, The Herbalist, was published in 2013. I finished Her Kind this morning after two days reading. I knew nothing about the Kilkenny witch trial on which the book is based and I tumbled into a medieval Ireland, unsure what to expect as I stumbled through the first few chapters blindly. The year is 1324. The pace of the novel is fast and I became comfortable in the story mid way through. From then onward the novel soars to its conclusion. I was gripped.

I loved the bravery and conviction of Boyce in telling this story. She is a gifted storyteller. It is clearly a very well researched book. Boyce also excels in passages of poetic description. I won't give much of the plot away except to say that it is the tale of a wealthy moneylender, Alice Kytler and her maid Petronelle de Midia. Though the events took place so long ago they remain pertinent and the drama played out is exploratory and relevant to our times. This is an Irish book and a world I felt at home in.

Her Kind can be purchased nationwide, (I got my copy in Easons) and here.

The Herbalist

One of the biggest events in literary Ireland over the past two years has been the publication of The Herbalist by Penguin Ireland.  It is written by Niamh Boyce who was the Hennessy XO New Irish Writer of the year in 2012. 

 

 

If you see Niamh Boyce's debut novel in the shop then you should buy it and read it. Now I know Niamh from her poetry mostly and the odd short story in magazines and journals that I've seen and I've always admired her work. I was completely impressed reading this novel which is set in 1930's Ireland where censorship of books is rife and morality in society is to a large extent dictated by the Catholic Church.  Isn't it wonderful to have a new voice in Irish literature that has the perspective of all that has gone down the river (the river is important in this book) since the '30s and especially in most recent years; the downfall of the church, the Magdalen laundries etc.?
 

I loved that there was an element of magic and fantasy included in the book that is blended with religious faith which is a uniquely Irish thing and Boyce is a real Irish storyteller.  I loved the imagery of birds and wings manifest in the blackbirds in Sarah's bedroom and where Carmel greets fate.  (If you believe in fate).  I also loved the easy intimacy with which the story of the book is told, again this is the sign of a fine writer.  The characters in the book are very engaging.  Emily, the young girl who befriends the Herbalist is a real knave, as is the Herbalist himself.  This is a book about women, their relationships, their dreams, their search for independence.  And poor Rose, indeed poor Rose.
 

My favourite part of the book is when Aggie and Emily rescue Sarah from the Herbalist's cottage and escape upstream in Biddy the boat.  To say anymore would be to give too much away. 

National University of Ireland, Galway, Writers' Society's Writers Exchange Chapbook

I was happy to receive a couple of copies of the chapbook pictured above in which my poem To Kurt Cobain is published.  It's one I wrote maybe four or five years ago in which I tried to capture what the rockstar meant to me.  I am a big Nirvana fan and often wish that Cobain had overcome his demons to live and record more music.  In the chapbook each writer has a piece included and their critique of another included writer's work is also found within.  Each writer was paired.  It was a great idea and it was something that began during the dark days of a very harsh winter.  Well done to Liam Duffy, Sarah McCarthy and Rachel Smiddy who are responsible for the exchange.  Fellow blogger Niamh Boyce has a poem here called Whatever about a mother and daughter relationship.  I also notice that Alan Garvey has a poem in the chapbook and he will have one published in Boyne Berries 9.

18 writers participated in the exchange, from Portland in the U.S. to Suffolk in England, from Asturias in Spain to Limerick, and from Ballymoney in N.I. to Navan.  You can find out more about the NUIG Writers' Society by emailing writers@socs.nuigalway.ie

To Kurt Cobain

Dancing flame you are the colour blue

and smell of petrol.

Your guitars are relentless,

guzzle gasoline in anger,

then fall lazily in couldn't care less lethargy.

Your drums beat you bruised.

Now your voice soothes,

hoarse, coming from some

deeper place,

raw as an open wound

and stronger than life,

vibrant

as an instrument

striking trapped chords.

You ignite, give voice, freedom, healing.

Orla Fay