39 pages • 1 hour read
Reading in the Dark
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Book Brief
246
Novel • Fiction
Derry, Northern Ireland • 1940s
1996
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Reading in the Dark by Seamus Deane follows an unnamed narrator in Derry, Northern Ireland, from the 1940s to the 1970s, as he unravels family secrets, particularly the mystery surrounding his uncle Eddie's disappearance, against the backdrop of political and familial conflict. He faces various challenges and tensions with law enforcement, ultimately isolating him from his family. The book includes themes such as political violence and familial estrangement.
Melancholic
Mysterious
Nostalgic
Dark
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
4,657 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Reading in the Dark by Seamus Deane captivates with its lyrical prose and poignant exploration of Irish history through a child's eyes. Critics laud its rich atmosphere and emotional depth but some find the narrative's nonlinear structure disorienting. Overall, it's praised for its evocative storytelling and nuanced portrayal of familial and political tensions.
Who Should Read Reading in the Dark?
Readers who appreciate the lyrical storytelling and historical depth of Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt or the poignant family dynamics in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce will find Reading in the Dark by Seamus Deane equally captivating. Ideal for those interested in memory, identity, and Irish history.
4,657 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Mother
Mother
The narrator's mother, who is secretive and has a mysterious past involving a former relationship with Tony McIlhenny. Her secrecy and encounters with the supernatural symbolize the hidden traumas within the family.
Father
Father
Frank, the narrator's father, works at the British Naval Base and is haunted by the mystery of his brother Eddie's death. He never achieves his dream of attending university.
Uncle Eddie
Uncle Eddie
The narrator’s paternal uncle, whose death in the 1920s remains unexplained, serves as a central mystery throughout the story.
Aunt Katie
Aunt Katie
The narrator’s maternal aunt, who marries and is later abandoned by Tony McIlhenny. She frequently tells stories to the narrator and his siblings.
Tony McIlhenny
Tony McIlhenny
A police informant who has relationships with both the narrator's mother and Aunt Katie. He eventually escapes to Chicago.
Sergeant Burke
Sergeant Burke
A member of the police force in Derry who interacts with the narrator’s family and is involved in significant events affecting them.
Grandfather
Grandfather
The narrator’s maternal grandfather who has a complex past involving the murder of a policeman, setting off a series of family traumas.
246
Novel • Fiction
Derry, Northern Ireland • 1940s
1996
Adult
18+ years
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