Donegal Suite

by John P. McNamee

Book Overview

A collection of poems by an inner-city priest reflecting time spent in Ireland This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802313434
• ISBN13: 9780802313430
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: Dufour Editions
• Length: 62 Pages
• Weight: 1.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Accessible Mysticism

John McNamee's poetry arises from the contemplative and mystical, even monastic tradition of Christianity. Yet, the author is not a monk. He has served as a parish priest for decades in North Philadelphia, among some of the worst poverty in the world. The first poems in this collection are observations during a period of solitude in Ireland. The second set of poems come from the author's everyday experience in his urban neighborhoods. In McNamee's poems, the reader notices signs of grace, which are plentiful but easy to miss. What depth there is in everyday life! These poems are a great encouragement to contemplation. Highly recommended.

"Down to Earth and Holy is the Ground"

After reading a reference to McNamee's short volume of poetry in a recent issue of America Magazine, I wanted to read more. There are echoes of Seumas Heaney in McNamee's poetic style. When I read: 'Graveyard Mass in Donegal' it became as real a scene as I had experienced in Dundalk on a Saturday in August some 15 years ago. His choice of language is also formed into a style of phrasing that belongs to him and to the revelation of his heart full of caring and grace. Read on.