North: Poems

by Seamus Heaney | Poetry |
ISBN: 057110813x Global Overview for this book
Registered by wingCordelia-annewing of Decatur, Georgia USA on 4/1/2016
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2 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by wingCordelia-annewing from Decatur, Georgia USA on Friday, April 1, 2016
I see that I added this to my poetry collection on St. Patrick's Day 1999. I had forgotten it. I have decided to read it again.


Amazon Editorial Review

With this collection, first published in 1975, Heaney located a myth which allowed him to articulate a vision of Ireland--its people, history, and landscape--and which gave his poems direction, cohesion, and cumulative power. In North, the Irish experience is refracted through images drawn from different parts of the Northern European experience, and the idea of the north allows the poet to contemplate the violence on his home ground in relation to memories of the Scandinavian and English invasions which have marked Irish history so indelibly.

Journal Entry 2 by wingCordelia-annewing at Inverell, New South Wales Australia on Monday, April 3, 2017

Released 6 yrs ago (4/3/2017 UTC) at Inverell, New South Wales Australia

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I really admired the poems in Part One of this collection. They describe the mysterious pagan Ireland of ancient times and made good companions for my reading of Thomas Cahill's HOW THE IRISH SAVED CIVILIZATION. Part Two looks at contemporary Ireland in the time of "The Troubles." I found myself out of my depth here as I am not familiar with all the complicated issues of this particular stretch of Irish history.

Journal Entry 3 by readinghelps at Inverell, New South Wales Australia on Saturday, June 24, 2017
Just received this one. Thanks!

Journal Entry 4 by readinghelps at Inverell, New South Wales Australia on Friday, August 4, 2017
Lent to a friend. I have yet to read it.

Journal Entry 5 by readinghelps at Inverell, New South Wales Australia on Friday, November 24, 2017
Got it back again. I'll read it when I'm done with this one: Just Compassion

Journal Entry 6 by readinghelps at Inverell, New South Wales Australia on Friday, September 28, 2018
I sat down yesterday and finished this. The poetry combines natural beauty, metaphor, Greek and Norse Mythology with 'The Troubles' of the Twentieth Century. I enjoyed the musical sound and feel of the words themselves.

In 2016, the Guardian wrote a short review of ‘North’ , naming it number eleven in the 100 best non-fiction books. Here's part of the Guardian review:

Heaney’s North, published during one of the darkest times in a vicious war, reflects this instinctive ambivalence while being, at the same time, one of his most passionate collections, acknowledging both his roots and his loyalties. Crucially, whatever his deepest feelings, Heaney is never strident. Throughout this volume there’s a steady undertow of irony. For the poet, that is fundamental to Ulster life. When I interviewed him in Dublin for the Observer in 2009, he spoke about the “articulate mockery” deployed by all the combatants in the Troubles. “The irony is so important,” he said. “In the north, northern irony has allowed people to stand at the edge of the rift and shout across to each other.”

I've never been to Ireland, but know the Northern-Irish folk-singer Tommy Sands (There Were Roses), who wrote a song called 'Whatever You Say, Say Nothing', which was surely inspired by Heaney's poem in this collection. Tommy's attitude to the troubles certainly had the same humour and irony as Heaney's. I can image it is a survival tool in times of grief and violence.

I am happy to pass this book on to ayone who is interested.

I am currently reading Go Set a Watchman, by Harper Lee

Journal Entry 7 by readinghelps at Mount Coolum, Queensland Australia on Thursday, November 15, 2018

Released 5 yrs ago (11/16/2018 UTC) at Mount Coolum, Queensland Australia

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oli timere (fear not) were the last words Seamus Heaney texted his wife, according to his son Michael, speaking at his father’s funeral in Dublin, September 1, 2013.

Here's a poem by Michael Kramer, entitled 'Noli timere'

I would convey such grace, concern myself with others
even as I pass my moments last upon this earth -
“There’s nothing to fear” - “Fear nothing” - the angel’s
reassurance to shepherds past their understanding.
Could I give that confidence, no or little faith
required to contemplate resurrection, reunion, whatever
mysteries await, complete my days here,
but then I’d know as two fingers and two
make four. I’d know as surely as I love those
I entwine within my daily life,
I’d know and lose that great and last surprise
we wait and plan and contemplate towards God.

I found it here.

I've enjoyed this little book, but I'm sending it on to a poet friend on the Sunshine Coast.

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