Blood-soaked history of a Troubled island

Growing up in Scotland in the 1980s and ‘90s, I was always aware of the Troubles, and of the risks posed by the IRA, but didn’t know much about the detail. I remember the Brighton Bombing and dubbed-over Gerry Adams on the TV news. Keefe’s book neatly weaves together two stories: those of the IRA’s Dolours Price, and Jean McConville, the mother who was ‘disappeared’ by the terrorists as she was believed to be an informer. It’s a clever contrast. Price became disillusioned by the movement, while McConville’s family fought for years for justice (which remains elusive). At times, there’s a tendency towards language that will prove divisive, eg calling a terrorist a ‘soldier’; some might see this as a kind of glamorisation, or buying into the terror group’s sick perception of itself. I had some doubts about this, but not for long. The counterbalance of the McConvilles’ ordeal provides objectivity. Keefe has a theory about who pulled the trigger when McConville was murdered, and it’s a persuasive one. The Troubles claimed 3,500 lives, but at the end Keene reflects that the IRA’s goal of a united Ireland might be achieved after all — thanks not to violence and murder, but to Brexit and the strains it has placed on the bonds between Great Britain and Ireland. Indeed, he believes a united Ireland is inevitable. I don’t buy it… and his claim that Adams was a ‘sociopath’ seems to let him off a little too lightly. This is a relatively long and detailed study of the Troubles - possibly a little too long. I increased the narration speed towards the end (which greatly helped - I enjoyed listening far more at just under double speed). The narrator is clear but can be a bit halting in his delivery. That said, Say Nothing doesn’t get too bogged down with individual events and milestones; it moves on reasonably quickly. The most compelling passages are in the closing sections of the book. Keefe notes that history is ‘alive and dangerous’ in Belfast, and his description of the ‘feverish pathology’ at work in Ireland, driving its sectarian tensions - and his analysis of them - are powerful and deftly done. It’s accessible for all, regardless of your level of knowledge about Ireland, though it’d help to have some. Perhaps the greatest irony is that those who were at the forefront of the IRA’s bloody work, hunting down traitors, ultimately felt betrayed themselves - by their bosses who sued for peace… leaving them behind for lives of comfort and political respectability.

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5 people found this helpful

A balanced view of the provos

I found the book very interesting, there are comments on here about it being pro “provo” propaganda however those people obviously haven’t finished the book, the author explains why he focuses on the provisional IRA and the Jean McConville murder. I found it a balanced view of the issues around an armed struggle and the troubles at the time.

The focus on mental health and PTSD within the communities around Ireland is very touching and is almost completely forgotten when speaking about the troubles.

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2 people found this helpful

Brilliantly read

Cannot recommend this enough - brilliant my researched, told and read - narration lives up to brilliance of the text

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1 person found this helpful

A fantastic listen

This was a gripping book to listen to. A great insight into the the troubles in Northern Ireland & the war between Great Britain & the IRA

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1 person found this helpful

Interesting but could have been shorter

Some parts I already knew and interesting information but the core subject keeps getting repeated and going over. If true makes you wonder how Gerry Adams has survived so long.
I don't agree with their politics which started quite one sided but eventually evened it up some what but a good read for historical facts

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1 person found this helpful

Stay Nothing … Learn Everything

This is an truly outstanding piece of work.
I have lived in Northern Ireland my entire life (65years) and I feel as though I have been given a very clear view into the world that has surrounded me. This book has been life changing me. I should think it to be one of the most important books ever published on The Northern Ireland conflict .

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Excellent narrator

I'm not sure why people are criticising the narrator. Matt Blaney is excellent, brings gravity to the narrative, and is incredibly expressive when reading quotes from some of the key figures in the text. I can only assume the other reviewers have some sort of prejudice towards the Irish accent. Please ignore them - this was such a stark and compelling listen. The only downside to the audio book is not having access to the all the footnotes, but otherwise I would definitely recommend.

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Great book, DREADFUL narration

The book itself is superb. A riveting tale of the Troubles that really draws you in from the beginning and all the way through. I can’t recommend it enough.

But the narration is truly beyond a joke. The narrator has zero concept of rhythm or cadence, and reads long stretches in hushed tones like he’s afraid of waking someone in the house. That’s forgivable though. What’s absolutely unforgivable are his constant and hugely distracting mispronunciations of dozens of words and, most shamefully, people’s names. It’s not good enough. He also has a very annoying habit of pausing, sometimes for seconds, when faced with a word he’s unsure of.
Whoever edited this audiobook did a terrible job.

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Informative

No history of the modern ‘Troubles’ can possibly be either unbiased or definitive. However, Say Nothing does form another part of the jigsaw that will eventually, in time become a complete history of the events and the people involved.

This was never going to be an easy listen, in some places I found it difficult to persevere with, the horror of events retold truly is the stuff of nightmares. The spectre over all of these events is Gerry Adams, all roads lead back to him.

In the final chapter the author writes that this book is based on the Republican stories, it would have been useful to know that from the beginning. That’s not to say that this is a romantic portrayal of ‘the lads’ as freedom fighters.

Matthew Blaney does mispronounce some words and when speaking he pauses in odd places but this can’t have been an easy book to narrate.

Over all though this is an informative, well researched book and certainly deserves a 5 star rating.

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Well researched dreadful QC on reading

This is for the very most part an accurate reflection of events but in production terms the mis pronunciation of the most basic words was a bit maddening. How this got through quality control is a mystery. However, a very good book nonetheless.

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