Emerald Germs of Ireland

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Emerald Germs of Ireland (2001) is a black comedy novel by Irish writer Patrick McCabe. [1] Each chapter uses the title of a different song and begins with an epigram of the lyrics.

Contents

The title "Emerald Germs of Ireland" is a reference to a music book mentioned in McCabe's earlier novel The Butcher Boy titled "Emerald Gems of Ireland".

Plot summary

The book focuses on the life of Pat McNab. Through the use of flashbacks and dreamlike hallucinations it tells of the alternately adoring and critical attention of his mother, Maimie, and the abusiveness of his father and how it finally sent him over the edge.

After initially killing both his father and mother, he proceeds to kill his neighbors and local visitors to the village some of whom he believes to be aware of his crimes and are attempting to blackmail him.

Eventually he exhumes his mother after the removal of each successive "germ".

Songs

Whisky On a Sunday

The Turfman from Ardee [2]

Old Flames

South of the Border

Courting in the Kitchen

Three Lovely Lassies in Bannnion

The Little Drummer Boy

Fly Me to the Moon

Waka Waka

Love Story

The Garden Where the Praties Grow

Island of Dreams

For What It's Worth

Twenty-One Years

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References

  1. Foster, Aisling (27 January 2001). "Germs, madness and murder". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  2. "The Turfman From Ardee Lyrics And Chords". Irish folk songs. Retrieved 6 August 2024.