That They May Face the Rising Sun

Last updated
That They May Face the Rising Sun
Author John McGahern
LanguageEnglish
Genre Novel
Set inIreland, 1970s
Publication date
2003
Publication placeIreland
820
LC Class PR6063.A2176 B9

That They May Face the Rising Sun, the sixth and final novel by John McGahern, is a critically acclaimed work, [1] [2] [3] winning the Irish Book Awards in 2003 and earning a nomination for the International Dublin Literary Award. In the United States, the novel was published under the title By the Lake. [4] The novel is a portrait of a year in the life of a rural Irish lakeside community.

Contents

Plot summary

The novel portrays a year in the life of a rural lakeside community, employing a unique and somewhat deceptive narrative structure devoid of traditional chapters or breaks. [5] The story unfolds in a circular and repetitive manner, resembling a stream of consciousness narrative. The setting is a remote and sparsely populated area near the village of Fenagh in the south of County Leitrim, located between Carrick-on-Shannon and the border with County Fermanagh. The lives of the community members are framed within the cycle of a year, encompassing events such as haymaking, market days, lambing, and various celebrations like Christmas, Monaghan Day in February, Easter. The narrative delves into the daily routines, seasons, weather, and the natural environment.

The novel introduces a wide array of characters, such as Joe and Kate Ruttledge, who have relocated to Ireland from London in pursuit of a different life. Additionally, readers encounter John Quinn, a character driven by unwavering determination in his pursuit of romantic interests, Johnny, who left for England two decades earlier in search of love, and Jimmy Joe McKiernan, who holds the dual roles of an auctioneer and an undertaker, while also heading the local IRA. The community's spirit is embodied by the gentle Jamesie and his wife Mary, who, though they have never left the lake, possess an intimate knowledge of everything that has ever stirred or moved in their surroundings. [6]

As the narrative unfolds, the drama of a year in the lives of these and many other characters comes to life through their actions, the rituals of work, religious observances, and leisure activities.

Critical reaction

The novel received critical acclaim, by its recognition at the Irish Book Awards and its nomination for the International Dublin Literary Award in 2003. [7] [8] It was generally well-received amongst British press. The Daily Telegraph reported on reviews from several publications with a rating scale for the novel out of "Love It", "Pretty Good", "Ok", and "Rubbish": Daily Telegraph , Guardian , Times , Independent , Sunday Telegraph , Observer , Sunday Times , Independent On Sunday , New Statesman , and TLS reviews under "Love It" and Literary Review review under "Pretty Good" and Spectator review under "Ok". [9] [10]

Alison Light of The Independent stated of the work:

McGahern conjures the warmth and decency of working people without sentimentality. He gives them dignity, while keeping his distance. Ultimately he celebrates those who are well off in the best sense because they are glad to be alive. [11]

Film adaptation

A film adaptation directed by Pat Collins premiered in 2023. [12]

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References

  1. ↑ Lee, Hermione (2002-01-06). "Everything under the sun". The Observer. ISSN   0029-7712 . Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  2. ↑ BY THE LAKE | Kirkus Reviews.
  3. ↑ Sutherland, John (2002-03-17). "Coming Home". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  4. ↑ "By the Lake by John McGahern - Reading Guide: 9780679744023 - PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  5. ↑ Sampson, Denis (2005). "'Open to the World': A Reading of John McGahern's "That They May Face the Rising Sun"". Irish University Review. 35 (1): 136–146. ISSN   0021-1427.
  6. ↑ Hanley, Vincent (2017-11-13). "Close Analysis of John McGahern's 'That They May Face the Rising Sun'". Reviews Rants and Rambles. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  7. ↑ "Previous winners". Irish Book Awards. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  8. ↑ literaryaward (2003-09-12). "That They May Face the Rising Sun". Dublin Literary Award. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  9. ↑ "Books of the moment: What the papers say". The Daily Telegraph. 16 Feb 2002. p. 56. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  10. ↑ "Books of the moment: What the papers say". The Daily Telegraph. 12 Jan 2002. p. 54. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  11. ↑ "That They May Face The Rising Sun by John McGahern, book of a lifetime". The Independent. 2014-10-23. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  12. ↑ "Trailer for 'That They May Face The Rising Sun'". Irish Central. December 29, 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
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