Say Nothing: A True Story Of Murder and Memory In Northern Ireland
- Downloads：2344
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-04-15 13:55:35
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Patrick Radden Keefe
- ISBN：0008159262
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
- Download
Summary
Patrick Radden Keefe writes an intricate narrative about a notorious killing in Northern Ireland and its devastating repercussions。
In December 1972， Jean McConville， a thirty-eight-year-old mother of ten， was dragged from her Belfast home by masked intruders， her children clinging to her legs。 They never saw her again。 Her abduction was one of the most notorious episodes of the vicious conflict known as The Troubles。 Everyone in the neighborhood knew the I。R。A。 was responsible。 But in a climate of fear and paranoia， no one would speak of it。 In 2003， five years after an accord brought an uneasy peace to Northern Ireland， a set of human bones was discovered on a beach。 McConville's children knew it was their mother when they were told a blue safety pin was attached to the dress--with so many kids， she had always kept it handy for diapers or ripped clothes。
Patrick Radden Keefe's mesmerizing book on the bitter conflict in Northern Ireland and its aftermath uses the McConville case as a starting point for the tale of a society wracked by a violent guerrilla war， a war whose consequences have never been reckoned with。 The brutal violence seared not only people like the McConville children， but also I。R。A。 members embittered by a peace that fell far short of the goal of a united Ireland， and left them wondering whether the killings they committed were not justified acts of war， but simple murders。
In December 1972， Jean McConville， a thirty-eight-year-old mother of ten， was dragged from her Belfast home by masked intruders， her children clinging to her legs。 They never saw her again。 Her abduction was one of the most notorious episodes of the vicious conflict known as The Troubles。 Everyone in the neighborhood knew the I。R。A。 was responsible。 But in a climate of fear and paranoia， no one would speak of it。 In 2003， five years after an accord brought an uneasy peace to Northern Ireland， a set of human bones was discovered on a beach。 McConville's children knew it was their mother when they were told a blue safety pin was attached to the dress--with so many kids， she had always kept it handy for diapers or ripped clothes。
Patrick Radden Keefe's mesmerizing book on the bitter conflict in Northern Ireland and its aftermath uses the McConville case as a starting point for the tale of a society wracked by a violent guerrilla war， a war whose consequences have never been reckoned with。 The brutal violence seared not only people like the McConville children， but also I。R。A。 members embittered by a peace that fell far short of the goal of a united Ireland， and left them wondering whether the killings they committed were not justified acts of war， but simple murders。
Reviews
Hannah | Reading Under Covers
，
Woooooow。
Kelly Byrne Skarupa
，
An extremely comprehensive nonfiction narrative that looks at the political conflict in Northern Ireland in the 1970s through today。 It's quite impressive how the author interweaves an incredible amount of research and commentary。 While certainly a "heavy" read， it's quite interesting if you are into political history。 Throughout the book I grappled with assigning blame during a conflict where so much went wrong on both sides。 An extremely comprehensive nonfiction narrative that looks at the political conflict in Northern Ireland in the 1970s through today。 It's quite impressive how the author interweaves an incredible amount of research and commentary。 While certainly a "heavy" read， it's quite interesting if you are into political history。 Throughout the book I grappled with assigning blame during a conflict where so much went wrong on both sides。 。。。more
Deb Holden
，
Interesting that the description here has the date of the abduction but it took over 200 pages to find it in the book。 The timeline jumps many times and there are so many characters it is difficult to keep track of dates and people。 Lots of superfluous facts and stories。 The book could have been 100 pages shorter and the reader would not have missed much。 I learned a lot about “The Troubles。” Both sides have big issues that need addressing。 As the song says， when we will ever learn。
Benjamin
，
A spell-binding account of a grisly crime amidst the the Troubles。 I knew very little about this history before engaging with Keefe’s book。 I couldn’t put the book down by the end！ Keefe is a masterful investigator， and thoughtful writer。 By sharing this story of Northern Ireland， I saw the rhythms and tragedies of sectarian violence all over the world。 I very rarely give five stars， but this book deserves each one。 Unforgettable characters， a micro/macro tale， and a terrific audio narrator （for A spell-binding account of a grisly crime amidst the the Troubles。 I knew very little about this history before engaging with Keefe’s book。 I couldn’t put the book down by the end！ Keefe is a masterful investigator， and thoughtful writer。 By sharing this story of Northern Ireland， I saw the rhythms and tragedies of sectarian violence all over the world。 I very rarely give five stars， but this book deserves each one。 Unforgettable characters， a micro/macro tale， and a terrific audio narrator （for those who prefer audio books）。 。。。more
Michael Suire
，
Absolutely fantastic。 One of the best books of narrative non-fiction， and even of history， that I've ever come across。 My knowledge of The Troubles was pretty poor， so I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to follow on some of the more minute details。 But the writing is so good and clear that even if you do not know anything about the conflict， you can follow without any problems （although this work is not one about the history of the Troubles， per se）。I 100% recommend it to anyone who is inte Absolutely fantastic。 One of the best books of narrative non-fiction， and even of history， that I've ever come across。 My knowledge of The Troubles was pretty poor， so I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to follow on some of the more minute details。 But the writing is so good and clear that even if you do not know anything about the conflict， you can follow without any problems （although this work is not one about the history of the Troubles， per se）。I 100% recommend it to anyone who is interested in the Troubles， in politics， in terrorism， in sociology， in history as a whole， and even in literature， as it is beautifully written。 。。。more
Catherine
，
Took me a while to get into it， but I was hooked then till then end。 I thought I knew some history。 I had no idea。
Jaimee
，
After watching Derry Girls， I wanted to learn more about the Troubles， and Say Nothing delivered。 I found the structure and pace annoying at times， with lots of jumping around and people to keep straight。 Also， the ending felt abrupt， partially because the book ends and transitions to notes at 65%， which I didn’t realize reading on Kindle。
Rob Kidd
，
The fivest of five stars
Gonzalo Visedo
，
Revelador， terrible， lo devoras， escrito como si fuera una novela。 Debería recomendarse en las escuelas， con razón que arrase en ventas。
Mary Beth
，
Book group。 Audiobook was perhaps a poor choice because I found it difficult to follow。 The Price sisters were interesting to learn about。 Patrick Radden Keefe's book about the Sackler family is out today; might give it a try。 Book group。 Audiobook was perhaps a poor choice because I found it difficult to follow。 The Price sisters were interesting to learn about。 Patrick Radden Keefe's book about the Sackler family is out today; might give it a try。 。。。more
Shaun Taylor
，
An interesting readThe story of Jean Mconville had interested me for as long as I can remember。Keefe provides answer to some of those questions in that he probably identifies the killers。The reasons why like many things in the troubles make no sense。My big criticism is that the book suggest all to often that the IRA didn't mean to harm anyone when they planted bombs and that the orphaning of so many children was acceptable An interesting readThe story of Jean Mconville had interested me for as long as I can remember。Keefe provides answer to some of those questions in that he probably identifies the killers。The reasons why like many things in the troubles make no sense。My big criticism is that the book suggest all to often that the IRA didn't mean to harm anyone when they planted bombs and that the orphaning of so many children was acceptable 。。。more
Natalie Sochacki
，
Wow。 Can't believe how much I didn't know about the Troubles。 Felt like a lot of people （paramilitaries and government officials alike） playing spies and soldiers to the determent of an entire people and culture。 And the fallout from it all！ A really engaging and well researched book。 Wow。 Can't believe how much I didn't know about the Troubles。 Felt like a lot of people （paramilitaries and government officials alike） playing spies and soldiers to the determent of an entire people and culture。 And the fallout from it all！ A really engaging and well researched book。 。。。more
Missy Covington
，
This is such a strange book for me to review， because I spent 80% of the very long audiobook thinking it was going to be about one thing （a singular murder） and I wasn't able to revise my ideas about it despite all evidence to the contrary as it meandered around the northern Irish city-side going through a deeper， more tangential relationship to the singular。 So my frame of reference in reading this was really bizarre。 Everything sort of congealed at the end and it served as more of a compendium This is such a strange book for me to review， because I spent 80% of the very long audiobook thinking it was going to be about one thing （a singular murder） and I wasn't able to revise my ideas about it despite all evidence to the contrary as it meandered around the northern Irish city-side going through a deeper， more tangential relationship to the singular。 So my frame of reference in reading this was really bizarre。 Everything sort of congealed at the end and it served as more of a compendium history。。。so ultimately it was satisfying？ 。。。more
Javier
，
Una buena crónica sobre el conflicto de Irlanda del Norte narrada utilizando experiencias “personales” de algunos de los protagonistas de conflicto Si he de decir， que me ha gustado mucho más la primera parte que la segunda （mucho más ritmo）
Zoe Butler
，
Must read。 It feels more like a movie than non fiction。 A little long but otherwise perfect
Sarah
，
WOW
Anna Vallès
，
Meravella！！ Espero que filmin tingui una llista a l'alçada。 Meravella！！ Espero que filmin tingui una llista a l'alçada。 。。。more
Crystal Marsico-Wood
，
This was a really good book。 I loved the narrator and the story。 I have always been interested in the conflict in Ireland。 Its interesting that the conflict seems like it would have resolved itself over time without all the unnecessary killings and hunger strikes。 This was very well written。 So many unresolved issues to this day but shows what some people are willing to sacrifice in order to promote their beliefs for the greater good。
Klaire
，
introduces you to The Troubles through an interesting cast of characters。 jumps between several characters， some whose stories run throughout the book and some that are more relevant one shots， so wasn't a super cohesive narrative for me and i'm slightly a lazy reader so sometimes had trouble following time jumps bc i never kept track of what the year was。 when it ended， i was like wait this is the end？ but i think lots of credit must still be given because i can't imagine being the author and t introduces you to The Troubles through an interesting cast of characters。 jumps between several characters， some whose stories run throughout the book and some that are more relevant one shots， so wasn't a super cohesive narrative for me and i'm slightly a lazy reader so sometimes had trouble following time jumps bc i never kept track of what the year was。 when it ended， i was like wait this is the end？ but i think lots of credit must still be given because i can't imagine being the author and trying to tackle covering this enormous period。 there's just too much information that could be covered， especially while trying to maintain the long-form narrative-esque vibe。 （the author drops all the sources at the end and it's a lot。） also some crazy stories in here with shit-painting and mattresses that are kind of funny。however， i was left feeling like i had more questions about this period of history than i had going in。 the author mentions this himself， but the book primarily focuses on the provos and he recommends other works for readers interested in ulster terrorism。 i think that explains why i felt like i was left with more questions。 i'd say good intro book that lets you dip your toes in this subject in a reader-friendly way and sets you up with context to get into the more nitty gritty history books from that period。 。。。more
Erin
，
A beautifully researched， intricately woven tale of a conflict that persists today。 Radden Keefe meticulously illustrates some of the most suspenseful and tragically mundane moments of The Troubles。 This vivid retelling of history sheds light upon the origins， development， climax（es）， and ramifications of the division between the republicans and loyalists， the IRA and RUC， Catholics and Protestants。。。 Ireland and Great Britain。 A brilliant novel that will continue to inform how I understand the A beautifully researched， intricately woven tale of a conflict that persists today。 Radden Keefe meticulously illustrates some of the most suspenseful and tragically mundane moments of The Troubles。 This vivid retelling of history sheds light upon the origins， development， climax（es）， and ramifications of the division between the republicans and loyalists， the IRA and RUC， Catholics and Protestants。。。 Ireland and Great Britain。 A brilliant novel that will continue to inform how I understand the cultural and political realities of Ireland and the UK for years to come。 。。。more
Marjorie Fujara
，
Wow！ I can't remember the last time I read a book this riveting。 I initially became curious about this subject because while I remember watching the violence in Northern Ireland in the 70's & 80's on television， I knew nothing about the origin of the Troubles。 Keefe weaves together the stories of four people at the epicenter of the war masterfully。 And as you follow their stories， you learn that no one leaves the conflict unscathed， both victims and perpetrators alike。 Say Nothing reads like a f Wow！ I can't remember the last time I read a book this riveting。 I initially became curious about this subject because while I remember watching the violence in Northern Ireland in the 70's & 80's on television， I knew nothing about the origin of the Troubles。 Keefe weaves together the stories of four people at the epicenter of the war masterfully。 And as you follow their stories， you learn that no one leaves the conflict unscathed， both victims and perpetrators alike。 Say Nothing reads like a fast paced thriller combined with a fascinating lesson in contemporary history。 。。。more
Hannah Barnes
，
This was such a fascinating book about the troubles in Northern Ireland， it really was incredible to read about， the topic itself is so intense and the book was written so well that was a thrilling page turner for sure
Esperanza
，
Creía yo que sabía mucho sobre el conflicto de Irlanda del Norte。。。pero este libro me llevado allí， a aquella época。 He escuchado las bombas， los gritos， el silencio。 He vivido los Troubles。 No se le puede pedir más a un libro y ni a un periodista。 👌
Erin
，
This is hard for me to rate because it is quite literally， my second non-fiction book read。 Did I find it interesting？ At times， absolutely。 But did I find it super hard to read and really get into？ Once again， absolutely。 I don’t know， I could see this book being a 5⭐️ for a lot of people， I just could not fully get into it。
Katie
，
This book blew me away。 I knew about the Troubles， of course， but not too much beyond a few articles and news pieces that I'd read for courses， or read about on the news。 A friend recommended this book to me before I went to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in 2019， but I didn't get to it until now。I， for one， thought the Troubles were an isolated period of time in the 90s， but I hadn't realized that the IRA had been working since the 60s in various iterations; nor did I realize that This book blew me away。 I knew about the Troubles， of course， but not too much beyond a few articles and news pieces that I'd read for courses， or read about on the news。 A friend recommended this book to me before I went to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in 2019， but I didn't get to it until now。I， for one， thought the Troubles were an isolated period of time in the 90s， but I hadn't realized that the IRA had been working since the 60s in various iterations; nor did I realize that the IRA is possibly still active today。 Reading about how there were different factions of the IRA fighting one another， fighting the British。。。it was all stunning。The events of the book read like a novel: the daring escapes from prison， the torturing of enemies， the Disappearing of perceived informants， the hunger strikes， the British pulling sons and fathers from their homes if they weren't sure which man they were looking for if they shared the same name， the bombings。。。it's unbelievable that so much went on， and so recently。 Keefe fleshes out motivations and the impact of the actions of prominent IRA members in a way that feels both truthful and respectful。One thing that Keefe wrote in the book that has stuck with me is that there are tours in Northern Ireland of important Troubles-relate sites， and that feeling creates a sense of "this was a long time ago" for visitors， even thought it was not that long ago， and the Troubles are not ancient history。 Even now， in light of Brexit， fighting has started again。I feel much more educated on the Troubles， and what the various intentions of the organizations were/are， as well as how the factions came about。 I do hope that a United Ireland may one day exist， but after reading about the long road to get to where things are today， I'm not sure when that may ever be。 。。。more
Gabriel Kite
，
In the author’s own words， “this is not a history book but a work of narrative non-fiction”。 A fantastic description of a book that reads like a thriller but is a recollection of the past。 I think what I enjoyed the most was the way the complexity of the situation is portrayed showing how it is impossible to make a judgement of if an individual’s past as either good or evil。 The protagonists will split opinion for their actions and many of them are undoubtedly horrific， not least the Jean McConv In the author’s own words， “this is not a history book but a work of narrative non-fiction”。 A fantastic description of a book that reads like a thriller but is a recollection of the past。 I think what I enjoyed the most was the way the complexity of the situation is portrayed showing how it is impossible to make a judgement of if an individual’s past as either good or evil。 The protagonists will split opinion for their actions and many of them are undoubtedly horrific， not least the Jean McConville murder on which this book focuses。 But they were human too and they genuinely believed what they were doing was for the best， willing to give their lives so that their children could live in what they viewed would be a better place。 This paradox is beautifully described， painting a vivid picture of what it was like to live in this period and how ordinary people became embroiled in what is arguably the darkest piece of recent British history。 The Troubles is fascinating， harrowing and terrifying and is smothered in the grey area between right and wrong。 No book I have read better encapsulates this。 。。。more
Joshua Anderson
，
This is a fantastic book with no attempt to justify any violence associated with The Troubles but merely to show the affects and aftermath on a few people who were involved on the Provisional IRA side。 It's also actually more about the oral histories that Boston College commissioned and collected and how those histories were mishandled and the people misguided to believe that just because it happened in the past it was history。 This is a fantastic book with no attempt to justify any violence associated with The Troubles but merely to show the affects and aftermath on a few people who were involved on the Provisional IRA side。 It's also actually more about the oral histories that Boston College commissioned and collected and how those histories were mishandled and the people misguided to believe that just because it happened in the past it was history。 。。。more
Paige
，
Endlessly fascinating。 The murder that the book centers around is essentially a window into the detailed， twisted and complicated higher-ups of the IRA and the Troubles。 There were points that it seemed like the book was veering off the main subject， and while it was always interesting， I questioned how it fit - but it always turned out to be relevant to the story at hand。
Bill
，
Wonderfully written and expertly researched book on The Troubles in Northern Ireland in the late 1970’s。 I learned a tremendous amount and his writing is very compelling and approachable。
Miriam
，