In 'Say Nothing', Patrick Radden Keefe delves deep into the shadowy world of the Northern Ireland conflict, focusing on the mysterious abduction and murder of Jean McConville. The book masterfully intertwines personal narratives with political upheaval, revealing how the sins of the past continue to haunt the present. Keefe's gripping storytelling sheds light on the complexities of loyalty, betrayal, and the battle for truth amidst the chaos. With a cast of unforgettable characters, the narrative invites readers to question the very nature of justice and memory. This haunting tale leaves you pondering the price of silence in a divided society.
By Patrick Radden Keefe
Published: 2020
"The weight of silence is heavy, but the burden of truth is often heavier."
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Soon to be an FX limited series streaming on HULU • From the author of Empire of Pain—a stunning, intricate narrative about a notorious killing in Northern Ireland and its devastating repercussions. "Masked intruders dragged Jean McConville, a 38-year-old widow and mother of 10, from her Belfast home in 1972. In this meticulously reported book—as finely paced as a novel—Keefe uses McConville's murder as a prism to tell the history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Interviewing people on both sides of the conflict, he transforms the tragic damage and waste of the era into a searing, utterly gripping saga." —New York Times Book Review Jean McConville's abduction was one of the most notorious episodes of the vicious conflict known as The Troubles. Everyone in the neighborhood knew the I.R.A. was responsible. But in a climate of fear and paranoia, no one would speak of it. In 2003, five years after an accord brought an uneasy peace to Northern Ireland, a set of human bones was discovered on a beach. McConville's children knew it was their mother when they were told a blue safety pin was attached to the dress--with so many kids, she had always kept it handy for diapers or ripped clothes. Patrick Radden Keefe's mesmerizing book on the bitter conflict in Northern Ireland and its aftermath uses the McConville case as a starting point for the tale of a society wracked by a violent guerrilla war, a war whose consequences have never been reckoned with. The brutal violence seared not only people like the McConville children, but also I.R.A. members embittered by a peace that fell far short of the goal of a united Ireland, and left them wondering whether the killings they committed were not justified acts of war, but simple murders. From radical and impetuous I.R.A. terrorists such as Dolours Price, who, when she was barely out of her teens, was already planting bombs in London and targeting informers for execution, to the ferocious I.R.A. mastermind known as The Dark, to the spy games and dirty schemes of the British Army, to Gerry Adams, who negotiated the peace but betrayed his hardcore comrades by denying his I.R.A. past--Say Nothing conjures a world of passion, betrayal, vengeance, and anguish.
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“The weight of silence is heavy, but the burden of truth is often heavier.”
Say Nothing
By Patrick Radden Keefe
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Patrick Radden Keefe is an acclaimed American author and investigative journalist renowned for his in-depth exploration of complex social issues. His notable works include 'Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland' and 'Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty', both of which have received widespread critical acclaim and numerous awards. Keefe is known for his meticulous research and compelling narrative style, seamlessly blending meticulous investigative journalism with storytelling that captivates readers. His writing delves deep into the ethical implications of power, legacy, and guilt, inviting readers to engage with pressing societal questions.
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