The Coffin Master and Other Stories

By John F. Deane

These fourteen short stories, many of which have already won prestigious awards, show the widely acclaimed Irish writer working at the height of his power. They move from the precise realism of an... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0856406643
• ISBN13: 9780856406645
• Release Date: September 2000
• Publisher: Blackstaff Pr
• Length: 187 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.5" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

Well-written Irish stories

Though these short stories tend to optimism in the grit of characters to survive, the reality is physical death comes bidden or imposed. The title refers to such a story, yet to say that the story revels in darkness obscures the psychological, mystical optimism that pervades the characters. The protagonist boy is the lamp that brings light to the lives of Paschal and Granny, recluses that a small community has marginalized. 'The Coffinmaster', is set on an Irish island circa 1940 or 1950. There seem several levels on which to read this story: a schoolage boy Paschal befriends the village coffinmaster and the elderly woman who tills a hillside. This trinity of characters cannot but be associated with the Trinity and the Christian celebration of Easter. The lighter side to the plot is the games each play with Paschal, and there is great suspense in what happens to Granny and Patcho. Storytelling at its best.