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colm tobin

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  • 21-05-2009 5:07pm
    #1
    lallychops
    Closed Accounts Posts: 302 ✭✭


    has anyone read " the blackwater lightship" by colm tobin? we read it in english as a class anyone think it was absolutely rubbish? story and narrative was terrible and the resolution was not good at all !!!!!!!!!!!!:confused:


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    #2
    zenmonk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 413 ✭✭zenmonk


    you are correct IMO, a really bad book, couldn't get over the fact that this was lauded from a great height, I was so dumbfounded that I read The Master -in case I was missing something - now that is a great book!


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    #3
    lallychops
    Closed Accounts Posts: 302 ✭✭lallychops


    i mean talk about crap " it was shortlisted for the booker prize " so wat if it was it is still bloody rubbish the narritve consists of he said she said he asked wtf ?????


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    #4
    zenmonk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 413 ✭✭zenmonk


    I guess because it "bravely tackled" the homosexual and AIDS subjects in bleary old Ireland it had to be considered breakthrough. The style is plodding and clumsy and the characters are weak. I forgot it made the booker shortlist. Still though, read the Master before giving up on Toibin.


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    #5
    Fox McCloud
    Registered Users Posts: 189 ✭✭Fox McCloud


    We read it in a third yr english module would you believe!
    shoddy work alright..
    The course angle was more about the progression of 'the irish family' in irish literature so it wasnt too bad for that


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    #6
    REPSOC1916
    Closed Accounts Posts: 162 ✭✭REPSOC1916


    Did think it was somewhat lacking in narrative but I actually liked it.

    Though to be honest I had to study Lies of Silence by Brian Moore as well for Comparative. That was terrible. They may as well and end the charade and put something by Frederick Forsyth on the course if thats the sort of quality they're looking for.


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    #7
    cailinoBAC
    Registered Users Posts: 1,113 ✭✭✭cailinoBAC


    Must be in the minority here, I loved The Blackwater Lightship. Thought it was very understated and so much of it just felt true.


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    #8
    lallychops
    Closed Accounts Posts: 302 ✭✭lallychops


    as a comparative text it just about works but to the person who loved it I must question did u not find the ending terrible???? I will try that other book by tobin before I express any views but in fairness if this is one of his best I dread to think what the rest us like:(


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    #9
    paoloiaquinta
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16 ✭paoloiaquinta


    forget the lightship....banville's "the sea" was far superior. or if you want a really knock out book then "on chesil beach" by ian mcewan is fantastic


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