joshgauthier's review against another edition
4.0
I continue to be surprised and impressed by Barry's work. Compared to his first collection, the stories in "Dark Lies the Island" do feel as though they have shifted a little in terms of style--at times more formal and direct than in earlier work. And as much as I enjoyed [b:There are Little Kingdoms: Stories|2563843|There are Little Kingdoms Stories|Kevin Barry|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348327182s/2563843.jpg|2572342], I did appreciate the new developments in Barry's writing.
For those expecting a romanticized view of Ireland and it's people, this is not the place to find such images. Barry's Ireland is dark and uncomfortable, captured in rich detail and unexpected situations. But the serious--and occasionally disturbing--nature of the stories is intercut with moments of humor (often dark) as well as surprising moments of sincere beauty.
Barry is a fantastic stylist, and this continues to be true, but "Dark Lies the Island" also displays a slightly different side of Barry as a storyteller. From an eclectic gathering at a rapidly flooding pub, to a young woman seeking hope for her future, Barry's stories are rough and tender, uncomfortable and honest, beautiful and sometimes painfully relatable. With rich language and a powerful grasp of craft, Barry's work does not disappoint.
For those expecting a romanticized view of Ireland and it's people, this is not the place to find such images. Barry's Ireland is dark and uncomfortable, captured in rich detail and unexpected situations. But the serious--and occasionally disturbing--nature of the stories is intercut with moments of humor (often dark) as well as surprising moments of sincere beauty.
Barry is a fantastic stylist, and this continues to be true, but "Dark Lies the Island" also displays a slightly different side of Barry as a storyteller. From an eclectic gathering at a rapidly flooding pub, to a young woman seeking hope for her future, Barry's stories are rough and tender, uncomfortable and honest, beautiful and sometimes painfully relatable. With rich language and a powerful grasp of craft, Barry's work does not disappoint.
zeecorster's review against another edition
4.0
Really excellent collection of stories here. I quite liked Beer Trip to Llandudno, Wistful England, Berlin Arkonaplatz — My Lesbian Summer and the title story, but Ernestine and Kit is the standout here: It's a pitch-perfect modern classic of a short story.
greenblack's review
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
amslersf's review against another edition
3.0
Lots of great stories, but I can't say this book made me nostalgic for the days of more rigid enforcement of the "code." Baseball players could have used the 'restorative practices' we teach in schools today. So many ridiculous fights and career long grudges that amounted to little more than someone watching a ball too long as it cleared the fences. Worth reading though.
bgg616's review against another edition
4.0
I was surprised at the variety of style and subject of these stories. I saw Kevin Barry do a reading recently in Washington DC where he read, rather he performed, the story about Killary Harbor. I finished this short collection impressed with his skill in drawing pictures of many different worlds.
nonnie63's review against another edition
3.0
Ironically I heard this author a few weeks ago on Public Radio and jotted his name down only to find his book in the mail from a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. I thought it would be a great read because I usually Iove anything related to Ireland due to the fact that my maternal grandfather came from Belmullet, County Mayo. The stories had an underlying darkness and I think that I would have enjoyed these stories more if I understood the meaning and voice of Mr. Barry if I were Irish, which I am not. It's as if the writer were speaking to some with that inside joke that I'm not privy to. All in all I tried my best to like this book but fell short in that I'm not as cocksure as Mr. Barry!