Jaywalking With The Irish (2004) - Plot & Excerpts
This is a touching, at times a little boring, account of an American family moving to Cork, Ireland. They deal with a lot of the outsider issues that pop up for anyone that lives abroad, but deal in Irish quirkiness the most. I was ready to pick up and move to Ireland after reading about how in Cork "people are valued for being unpredictable, for being chancers and dreamers and misfits, and above all for being characters. If you are odd [t]here, you might fit in." Such is the romantic picture he painted of a place unlike any other place on earth. Of course, that's true of every place: that it's, in some small way at least, unlike any other place on earth. But a city of misfits and dreamers? I will definitely be planning a future holiday there. I also love the following exchange, being a bit (okay, sorely) lacking in irreverent humor lately:"Did you know that the sun is a nuclear weapon?""I never heard that, no.""Well, it is, and if you are against nuclear power, you are then against the sun, and therefore you want to be dead.""The only time I want to be dead is when I am listening to you."
Paints a realistic picture of how a family adapts to relocation in Ireland. The author compares the Ireland he knew while attending college and his dream to relocate there to the reality in its present-day culture. The author focuses on increased crime, alcoholism and xenophobia in a wealthier Ireland and how the country is slowly losing its Irishness with the economic prosperity. One interesting comment made was how it is turning into the 52nd state. While visiting Ireland briefly, I was sad to see that in alot of ways, its own culture is being absorbed by an increasing present American influence ie McDonalds, Asda (aka Walmart), KFC. At the same time, it was nice to smell turf fires burning and how people would greet each other on the street and make visitors feel welcome. I love the comparison he makes to his home in Connecticut and describes society in that east coast state. He is spot on when he says that people act indifferent and it is a sign of greatness and how he missed his neighbors and friends in Ireland who were warm and loved to carry on conversations. Glad I read it.
What do You think about Jaywalking With The Irish (2004)?
Home...the word can mean so much to us. Where we lay our heads at night is a blessing. When you are an ex-pat the word home is a mixed bag of tricks. Reading this memoir of a man and his family leaving their Connecticut home for the green land of the ancestors, Ireland, was inspiring, enthralling, humorous and made me a little misty eyed for the land of my own. Culture shock, lingo learning, and simply asking for directions can all be the fodder of a great dialogue. I really commiserate with the author as I too have made a similar transition. I have a wonderful picture of Ireland in my mind now, the historical and contemporary one. I highly recommend this book for travelers to Ireland. It explains the quirky ways of the delightful and generally warm hearted folk, gives insights into the problems of small town and city life, and reminds you to wear your rain gear. Sounds like you will be needing it. All in all, a book that will stick with me for awhile.
—Darlene
