“THE FIRST COMMUNION” (A review by Sime-Gen reviews)
Renowned Irish author Jack Scoltock feasts us with thirty-five of his short stories. These touching, thought-provoking vignettes depict every day life in the strife that is Northern Ireland. Above and beyond everything else, we learn how the people cope or fail to cope with what their lives throw at them. Laugh, ponder, and cry your way through all of them. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and wish I had space here to do all of the stories justice. Here are my favorites:
"Who Killed Bambi"
A down-to-earth, real-as-a-poke-in-the-eye rendition based on the myth of the White Stag, that harbinger of judgment and the Otherworld. What's a boy to do when he finds out his father is in the Irish Republican Army?
"Who Was That Man?"
A husband "sneaks" off to enjoy his day metal-detecting near a country cottage. He meets an old man, his old Indian companion, and a big white horse.
"Asylum"
Poor Jack is walking down the street when he sees Roy Rogers, Bogie, and the Bowery Boys. Rather than being enthralled, all he wants to do is get to the safety of home.
"Ouija"
Five schoolboys and two girls play with the forbidden and get a magical comeuppance.
"The Atheist"
”What do you mean I'm going to Heaven? I’m an atheist!”
"First Communion"
In this title story, young Kevin tries to help and encourage his little sister, Siobhan, as she prepares for her upcoming first Eucharist. This, despite the fact that their father was attacked by anti-Catholic extremists. As the weeks until First Communion pass, the injured father becomes aggressive and displays increasingly alcoholic behavior. Kevin, distressed, remembers better days. Siobhan, only six-going-on-seven, becomes fearful of and estranged from the father. Then he dies. Will Siobhan be able to grieve for him?