Which means it makes sense that the stories here are similar, often hard to tell apart in memory, as most are told in the same way (and all but the final story in the first person). The style is not something overlaid on pre-existing content: the style is the substance. It’s all about the words: one of those books that makes you realise that the story could not be told, the character could not exist, in any other style and then makes you wonder why that isn’t the case with more books. The language is the character is the style is the story. Pond is described in the blurb as a ‘collection’ but also as having unity: a “chronicle of the pitfalls and pleasures of a solitudinous life told by an unnamed woman living on the cusp of a coastal town.” That solitudinous is a wink to the reader – expect more of that sort of thing, because this is a book which denies any separability of the traditional elements of a work of fiction. So this new book was on my radar, though it wasn’t until Twitter began filling with praise, and the press agreed, that I picked it up. They published the first books by IMPAC-winner Kevin Barry, Irish Book of the Year-winner Mary Costello and Guardian First Book Award-winner Colin Barrett. For now though, rather than talk of the merits of this tree, let’s enjoy it’s spring time colour.The Stinging Fly Press, an offshoot of the literary magazine, has made itself a publisher to watch with its careful selection of debut writers, many of whom have gone on to award-winning, bidding-war status. Indeed Sycamore have thrived here on the island but with careful management we have found it really rather useful.
Its’ winged seeds have helped it spread across the country where it grows fast and can dominate woodland. Many conservationists disapprove of sycamore – mainly as it’s an introduced species. One tree that I have learnt to appreciate is the sycamore. This is a great time to watch the unfurling of the fresh buds and leaves. Then the draft of speedy cars seems to help spread the seed along the road.Īt the other end of the plant scale are the island’s trees. It’s also famous for being seen along motorway central reservations – not quite so picturesque! It grows well there due to the salting/gritting of the roads in winter. As it’s very tolerant of salt the plant is found in dense swathes along the island’s coast. It was used to help sailors on long journeys ward off the disease.
The leaves are full of Vitamin C – a deficiency of which causes the affliction of scurvy. It is in fact a crucifer – a group of plants with 4 flower petals arranged in a cross pattern. Scurvy - not word that you would automatically associate with a pretty white-mauve flower, nor is it a grass.
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