Page 4 of 6
There are currently 36 member reviews
for Trouble the Living
-
Lyris
Review not rated
RE: Bernie thinks, "I felt lucky .....
Bernie thinks, "I felt lucky. To have been given the choice, the ability to go back in time and unmake my mistakes. Lucky to be in control of my body, self-governing and whole. It was what we all wanted. To choose our own freedom, to choose our own pain."
I don't know if it's possible to "unmake mistakes" - particularly those that harm other people.
If "choosing our own freedom" means escaping consequences, then Brid also seemed able to do that after her IRA venture by fleeing to the U.S. and taking on an assumed name. However, she never could escape the guilt she felt over both that act and her belief that she caused her sister's death by allowing her to go out that night. Even confession couldn't erase the consequences. So - no "freedom" there.
Aoife - and Sean, similarly, couldn't erase the "mistake" of getting pregnant and being subsequently stuck in a marriage and life they both hated.
Since the consequences for Brid and Aoife and Sean also extended to harming their children, I guess one of the reasons we are asked to see Bernie's abortion in the light of "wholeness" and "freedom" is that - since she, like them - was in a bad place emotionally, her decision to end her pregnancy was actually better for her baby than a future life of potential harm. Or, given her emotional state, it was better to sacrifice one life than two (and potentially more if the dysfunctional family cycle continued.)
-
triciat50
Review not rated
RE: What did you think of Brid's ...
I agree with Elizabetta--Brid's leaving was an act of survival although I think it was necessary on many levels. Not only was she in danger of being exposed and arrested, but it also seemed to me that her mother was ready and willing to sacrifice Brid for "the cause". This was born out when we finally find out what her mother's last words to her were "it should have been you". I think her mother would have pushed her harder and further toward violence. When Brid finally called home when she was married and pregnant, her mother sounded disgusted to find out she was still alive. I was shocked that Brid wanted to go back to Ireland for the funeral.
-
Elizabetta
Review not rated
RE: What parallels did you find between ...
Both Brid and Bernie were raised in dysfunctional households by mothers who were distant and for varying reasons not available. While Aoife was present in Brid’s life she was only interested in indoctrinating Bernie to the Cause. Brid smothered Bernie with love, but was unable to provide day to day support. Bernie didn’t know her father and while Brid loved her father he was not there to protect her from Aoife.
-
CarolRS
Review not rated
RE: What did you know about "the ...
I didn't know much about the "Troubles" in Ireland. I was raised Catholic and as a young girl, I knew there were divides between the Protestants and Catholics in our small town, but it was nothing like a war zone. I can't imagine living day-to-day, not knowing when you would encounter violence and never ever feeling safe because you aligned with a certain religion. I think it would affect even the most highly functioning families, so clearly a dysfunctional family would become even more so.
-
mich-LeDesign
Review not rated
RE: Brid learned at the diner that "...
I cherish my friendships with women. When we go together hiking or skiing we share much more than if a man is with us. In my experience, men have tendency to take over the conversation.
-
melissa c.
Review not rated
RE: Why do you suppose Brid refuses to ...
I was also surprised that Brid didn't share her past with Bernie. I think she was overwhelmed by her fears and didn't want to "taint" Bernie with her past.
-
angelaw
Review not rated
RE: Why do you think the Orange Order ...
I agree with Elizabetta that traditions are hard to break and banning the parades would be protested. While freedom of speech and assembly are important, the theme of the parades is bigotry and hate towards another religion. Thus, they should be banned on that basis.
Book Reviewed by:
.png)
