Now that the make-a-quick-buck books from the movie have fallen by the wayside, and trash such as Gardiner's The Ship that Never Sank is rotting in bargain bins, we're starting to see the gems emerge - titles like those we saw pre-movie, and which were swamped by the slim, superficial titles in the wake of the Cameron movie. There were some, like Belfast's Own, which bucked the trend, the existence of which gave hope that better titles might be on the way.
A few days ago, a title arrived in my post that has held me completely enthralled as no other has in recent memory. This is a milestone work, and is to be begged, borrowed or stolen at all costs. The Irish Aboard the Titanic, ISBN#0-86327-805-1. There aren't too many copies outside Ireland at the moment, but that looks set to change as the talk is already of a second edition.
Malony breathes life into names that are familiar, and perhaps overfamiliar, to those who cut their teeth on books such as ANTR - Gilnagh, Mullens, Farrell, Buckley. The same material has been repeated ever since, and the edge has been worn off into a smooth blandness. TIATI restores that razor keen edge to their experiences.
More than that, the other names on the crew and passenger lists, have once again had their individuality restored. What ET does on the net for passengers, Malony does in print for this identifiable group aboard the ship. The best works emerging are those which concentrate on a specific area or group, and this is one of them.
It works as a sociolgocial study, a look at how groups react in crisis, an examination of factors such as race, religion and gender. It also works as a superb biographical cross section of an age.
Malony's style is clear, concise, sharply perceptive and terribly poignant. No wailing and gnashing of teeth, but a beautifully dignified and elegant tribute (without being at all stylised) to those Irish aboard who lived, and those who died.
Highly recommended.
