Reviews

When Charles McGlinchey (1861-1954) was in his eighties, local school teacher Patrick Kavanaugh decided to record the stories McGlinchey told him during their biweekly visits. McGlinchey, a weaver living in a small parish in County Donegal, Ireland, had never married and had outlived all his family (thus the book's title). Fascinated by the parish's local history and lore, Kavanaugh recorded McGlinchey's autobiography in his own repetitive colloquial speech, mixing English and Irish with occasional bog Latin. Thirty years later, the manuscript found its way to Brian Friel, who gave the oral history its present form. Originally published in Belfast in 1986, this book reads like a collaboration between Frank McCourt (Angela's Ashes) and Mitch Albom (Tuesdays with Morrie). Evoking herbal remedies while ignoring the world wars, this evocation of a simpler time is recommended for libraries with Irish literature and genealogy collections.ÄPam Kingsbury, Florence, AL Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.