Colm Tóibín on O’Connell Street in Dublin

I have been a big fan of Colm Tóibín’s work for a few years now. I discovered him sometime in 2004 when The Master was published. It was in the booker shortlist that year as usual.

I really enjoy his writing. His novels resonate with me long after I read them. His prose style is not at all fussy or complicated yet he successfully depicts life in an array of backdrops providing the reader with a valid representation of the situations he represents. In essence, he is a great story-teller.

When I heard he was appearing in Easons on O’Connell Street in Dublin on Saturday the 9th of May this year, I decided to make my way in and purchase a signed copy of the novel Brooklyn, the particular book he was promoting at the time.

I arrived 15 minutes early and joined the queue. I felt out-of-place, uneasy even as this was the first time I had done anything like this – queued to get anything signed from an idol of mine.

My time came and I introduced myself, feeling as nervous as ever. I don’t understand why I was so nervous. I introduced myself and shook his hand. He asked me what I did. I replied that I was an accountant. He appeared surprised and queried how I became interested  in his novels. I told him that I discovered him in 2004 when I read The Master and read all his other novels quickly after. He appeared amused by the use if the term ‘discovered’.  He asked who he should sign the note to and I replied “me, of course”. He smiled, signed the book to me with best wishes and I shuffled of happily with my signed copy of Brooklyn in hand.

Before I joined the queue, I had picked up the paperback copy of the book – as they are usually cheaper than the hard back copies. I had thought about getting the hard back copy but given the recessionary times and all that, I was satisfied with the cheaper paper back. Once in the queue,I had noticed that everyone else in line with me had multiple copies of the hard back book in hand. So I quickly replaced my copy with the more expensive one. Peer pressure of a kind…

As it turns out, when I brought my signed hard copy to the teller to pay for it, it was substantially discounted. What a nice surprise, an ironic one at that since I was penny-pinching earlier.

The other day, I scanned the bar code with an iPhone application called red laser that reveals where online the item can be purchased and for how much. The results amazed me. Turns out, I have a first edition rare signed copy!

I have since read the book and really enjoyed it. It is a simple story at first but once you dig deeper it deals with the complex themes of emigration and isolation in the new found homeland. I finished it in three sittings and towards the end I couldn’t put it down. Recommend!

Ógie Ógie Ógie

I’m currently reading Dónal Óg Cusacks Autobiography, Come What May. It’s of interest to me for a couple of reasons. Dónal Óg is the goal keeper for the Cork Senior Hurling team. He came out in his Autobiography. It was widely known in gay circles and beyond but it was a courageous step as an elite athlete to come out so publicly. This man is a legend in the Hurling world. He holds two GAA All Star awards and has had 48 appearances for the Cork Seniors to date.

I used to play hurling as a kid and I never imagined that it would be possible to marry what seemed like two opposing ways of life – hurling and homosexuality.

Come What May is essentially a book about hurling. A puck by puck account of the trials and tribulations met by Cusack along his journey to success. Dónal Óg eats, drinks and sleeps hurling.

The pages are filled with controversy – mainly due to Dónal Ógs quest for better treatment for all county players in the GAA.  He becomes a leader both on and off the pitch – a role model whom many a team mate turn to for support and advice.

He deals with his homosexuality about a third of the way into the book but the issue doesn’t take over. He is quite frank and open about it but he definitely comes across as being at one with his sexuality. The following line sums it up nicely;

And I know from early on I am different, just in this way. But whatever you may feel about me or who I am, you should know I’ve always been at peace with it.

Well done Dónal Óg!