Amongst Women

AMONGST WOMEN

by John McGahern

 

Nomination: Booker Finalist 1990

 

Date Read: July 30, 2022

 

Trigger warning: Michael Moran is a complete asshole. For those with asshole fathers of their own, this book is a little like coming home. Moran fought in the war and brought his regimented, brutal attitude home with him. He had five children: Mona, Sheila, Maggie, Michael and Luke, whose mother passed away. 

 

Moran was lucky to meet and marry Rose, who became a stepmother to the children and a peace-maker between Moran and his kids. She was also his apologist, constantly saying that he didn’t really mean it, things aren’t that bad, he really loves you. Honestly, no good asshole can stay that way without a Rose in their life.

 

Moran lives with no regrets but his one constant concern is for his son, Luke. Luke left years ago and hasn’t really been heard from since. He made himself successful in London but has never returned home for a visit or written his parents since he left. He doesn’t even return to the family home when Moran passes away.

 

We can assume from his behavior with Michael that Moran treated Luke the same way. When Michael was caught coming home late or something else minor, Moran told him to go to his room and take off his clothes – the implication being that Moran was going to give him a beating to remember. Rather than take the beating (which one assumes wouldn’t have been the first time), Michael runs away to his sisters and begins life on his own.

 

Even after all the kids have left and married, they all return home at some point, even Michael. I can kind of understand their deep respect for family but why they would choose to spend so much time with such an asshole, I will never understand. 

 

Moran’s death is a relief and the final page of this book a reprieve. Like I said, trigger warning!

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