Synopsis
First published in 1907, this is a record of Synge's visit to the three islands off Galway in the west of Ireland in 1898-1901. The visit to the islands was at the recommendation of Yeats. It was not until Synge's first visits that Aran recovered some of its mystic status that it had enjoyed in previous centuries. The islanders found themselves viewed as the Celtic soul of Ireland. The living culture of Aran was seen as a repository of venerable antiquities. Synge listened to the islanders folktales and anecdotes, many of which he used for his play "the Playboy of the Western World". The book is in four parts, corresponding to the first four of his five visits and is an exploration of an island community living a traditional life, but with modern life beginning to invade.

I just can't get into this book. I remember reading a third of it for my studies and now, 8 years later I started it and tried to read it and gave up on page 43 again! I wanted to like this book as Synge is a famous Irish author and I have visited one of the Aran Islands some years ago. The description of daily life at the islands is interesting but after a while it gets boring. I caught myself reading my other book and not continuing this one and then forcing myself to continue reading it and only reading a page or two. So I decided to send it on. Maybe catsalive will like it more than me?!

Sending to catsalive tomorrow, as she got it at the Armchair Travel Swap 12/07 at bookobsessed.com.

Thanks bluecat07.

A forgotten age. I found it difficult to read too but it was very interesting at times.

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