Celibates and Other Lovers

The last few books I have read that have taken place on this particular island have been depressing even by the stories that normally come from this geographic point. Mr. Walter Keady presents a wonderful tale with, "Celibates And Other Lovers", that is a charming change of pace.There is great humor both in quantity and quality, however it is not trying to lighten a general tragedy or the misfortune of others. This is not dark much less black humor; this is just great amusing interaction among people that is almost uniformly without rancor of any kind. The book is not explicit either in language or human relations. A word here and there that would generally be considered profane, are so few they go almost unnoticed. And because they are not scattered through every bit of dialogue, they have the same impact as hearing an expletive from a source you have never expected it from. Writers, who rely on vulgarity as a cornerstone of their work, are like comedians that do the same with their standup, after a period of time passes, you become numb to it.Mr. Keady also treats relations between couples with a consideration that is rare. He shows touching intimacy, not to be confused with graphic and explicit which is what lousy writers place on a page, embarrassing situations, in all, very human. A couple may be caught behind a haystack, but the event is of note not because of what they have yet to get to, rather who it is that finds them, and the dialogue that ensues.Religion too is dealt with in a manner that is not without its controversy, but the Author does not sink to the Priest as a pedophile that has become the staple of so many stories. Such Priests exist, but they are not to be found on every Church Altar a person may enter. I would imagine the young man on his path to the Priesthood, and the struggles and stumbles he makes, will leave readers with the idea these men are human, they have weaknesses, but those weaknesses are not by definition that of a felon or a seriously damaged mind.The title of the book is not indicative of prevailing behavior among the book's Clergy, so please don't pass the book because of it. The book is a well-written story that on balance leaves you feeling good about virtually all the people you have read about. The characters are not perfect, but they are not at the other end closing upon deviance either.

There is something very cinematic about the way Keady shows us the lives of his rural characters. You can see them and you can certainly hear them. I especially like the dry wit with which he lampoons the Catholic Church's stand on certain issues, like sex and welfare. While the village characters aren't particularly brilliant for the most part, they are never made fun of (except those who deserve it). Quite a refreshing novel.

If you want to have some fun reading about and listening to some wonderfully REAL characters, then this is the book for you. If you want to FEEL the generosity and the small-mindedness, the bigotry and the humor of people in small-town Ireland, then you just have to read it. If you want also to get some sense of the smothering impact of the Roman Catholic Church on the people of the town, ditto. It's a genuinely funny, droll, touching book about a group of characters--saints and sinners all--I came to like and care about a lot.

I had just finished reading 'Angela's Ashes' and was still under an "Irish spell" when somebody recommended this book to me. I absolutely loved the way the author weaves the stories of the different people of the small Parish of Creevagh to offered one insightful look into the human soul. The dialogues are written so you feel you are eave-dropping into these people's conversations. I only wish that the author had taken more time to revealed/explored what was driving Phelim O'Brien in a direction he obviously was not supposed to be heading to. Been from Upstate NY, it was nice to learned Mr. Keady is a Hudson Valley resident. I am looking forward to more of his writing. May I suggest a sequel?...I MUST know what happens to Catherine, Phillipot and Phelim.....PLEASE!!!!

This is an enjoyable book, thanks to Keady's easy style and wit. The confession of Philpot Emmet is one of the funniest descriptions I've read in some time, I laughed hard. Maybe it's because I'm an Irish Catholic. I would have been a bit more comfortable with the book if it omitted the final collision Phelim and Catherine. It seemed too extreme for the otherwise light-hearted and affectionate look at a society that never really existed yet lives on in more ways than we'll ever admit!