Today I finished reading
This is the jacket of this book, published in 1944, and consequently bearing a notice that it is produced in conformity with (wartime) authorised economy standard. It is, however of more pleasing and longer lasting materials than trade publications of today.
Here is the front board and the title page.
The Lee of the title is the river running through the city of Cork, the author’s birthplace.
Defying classification, this work is a series of memoirs, a ramble through Ireland’s history, myth, and legend; a splendid description of flora, fauna, and particularly avifauna that he encounters on his travels by foot, boat, and motor vehicle; along the way he relates tales told by people with whom he engages, and such stories of his own. Rather like the engaging stories of blogger Paol Soren, these tales are clearly a mix of fact and fiction as a vehicle for conveying his points.
With a comprehensive knowledge of natural history, a superb grasp of language, and an ability to present dialogue such as we hear the vernacular lilt, a keen eye for detail and an ability to depict this in both flowing prose and
superb wood engravings, Gibbings has presented us with another bucolic gem.
Above all it is a paean to the land of his birth after many years’ absence.
This evening Jackie produced another marvellous beef pie with fresh vegetables. I drank more of the Shiraz, and no-one else did.
Your review highlights why I like memoir as a genre. There are so many different ways it can be approached
I was struck by the way he manages to keep it firmly in the first person without overusing “I” at the beginning of sentences. The reader is almost unaware they are being “told” the story and is simply carried along seeing the scene through his eyes. And in that vein, he is a master at “show, don’t tell” with his skillful use of character description mingled with dialogue. I could learn a lot from this writer.
Yes, he has a good narrative voice.
Very insightful observations, Gwen
Agreed. Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
It sounds like a fascinating book.
Your comment about the Shiraz made me laugh.
Thanks very much, Merril
You’ve done an outstanding effort of scanning and reproducing so many pages from the book Derrick, I shall study them all in due course …
Thank you very much, Ivor. I appreciate your acknowledgment
You’re welcome Derrick …
Lovely book and dinner. Do they make books like that anymore?
Only in Clubs or Associations like the Folio Society or the Limited Editions Club. Thanks very much, Pat
The drawings are amazing.
Thank you very much, Chrissy
The engravings by the author are as beautiful as his writing. This sounds like a book I would love to read, and will put it on my list.
Thank you so much, Lavinia
This looks like a wonderful book, Derrick. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Much appreciated, Donna
This looks like an enjoyable book, and the illustrations are marvelous.
hank you very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
You description is wonderful, and the illustrations are beautifully detailed. They don’t make books like this anymore.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
“and no-one else did..” the comment about the shiraz made me smile.
Thanks very much, Bridget
The care that went into illustrating narrations such as this has disappeared with the easy access to photographs – or dispensed with altogether. Having reread “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens and then looking at these illustrations, I couldn’t help feeling that the beautiful, detailed descriptions of the swamp life (birds, fish, plants, shells and fungi) would have been enhanced by such detailed drawings.
Gibbings was so talented, Anne. Thank you very much
From your review…this is a book I’d like to read.
And those illustrations are so detailed! Wow! Beautiful!
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you very much, Carolyn XX
If the book is as good as its illustrations, we’re on to a winner !
Thank you very much, John
Religion – so often the root of all evil! The illustrations are wonderful.
I admire your patience in scanning all those pages!
Thank you so much, Sue. I’m pleased you appreciated that
Charming book
Thank you very much, Sherry
I bought it to read.
That is good
books today can be pretty, but …… they are not like what we got years ago when the written word and the book was a treasure (for many reasons)
Thank you very much, Q
The book seems fascinating and the illustrations are marvelous. Scanning all of those pages must have been quite a fete, and thank you for sharing them, Derrick.
Great post! I love reading about what others are reading and why! Thanks for the introduction to this gem.
Thanks very much, Lenore
Looks like something I would love to read…maybe in the new year. My weeks have become so busy lately and it looks like it will not slow down till the end of the year.
I will save it for later.
Thank you very much, Mimi
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What a lovely treasure of a book. 😀
What a wonderful book!
Thank you very much, Riba
Agreed