Donal Ryan’s ‘The Spinning Heart’ is set in a recession hit Ireland. It follows the aftermath of the financial collapse and portrays the subsequent damage on people’s lives. Each chapter is told from the perspective of twenty-one different people or ‘voices’ whose lives become fatally entwined.
Tensions surface in an Irish town when the local building firm at the heart of its former prosperity goes into liquidation. Its corrupt boss flees the country, leaving in his wake shock, confusion, lost hopes and dreams, and betrayed employees left jobless, without pension and in debt.
Verdict:
I would not recommend this novel for Leaving Certificate students.
The themes of mental health and violence amongst dysfunctional families as people struggle to make sense of their lives, paint a cheerless and oppressive world. Maltreatment by alcoholic or abusive fathers is additionally disturbing. Pupils may already be experiencing some of these difficult circumstances and need encouragement and hope, not additional negativity and despair.
The toxic relationships and crude imagery add to the bleak, depressive tragedies. The language, which aims to mirror the spoken dialect, is likewise coarse, crude and off putting. I would not feel comfortable teaching this text or asking pupils to read it aloud or for themselves. In a world which is challenging enough for this age group, I would not consider it edifying to study.
Extract from the opening chapter:
“I thought about killing my father all day yesterday. There are ways, you know, to kill a man, especially an old, frail man, which wouldn’t look like murder. It wouldn’t be murder anyway, just putting the skids under nature. It’s only badness that sustains him. I could hold a cushion or a pillow over his mouth and nose. He’d flail about, but I’d bat his hands softly back down. I wouldn’t mark him. His strength is gone from him. I wouldn’t like to see his eyes while I killed him;”
Extract from the ‘Lily’ story:
“Bernie ... charged in here like a bull. I remember smiling at him like a fool; I actually thought he’d come for a look at his child. He said nothing, only punched me straight into my face. Then he drew back his big fist and punched me again, right into my mouth. You stupid bitch, he said, you stupid, stupid bitch, I should kill you. My lip split open and pumped blood. My front tooth came out.”
Extract from the ‘Brian’ story:
“You know the way you get used to getting the ride? And then you’re cut off, like, all of a sudden? That’s what all them wankers do be feeling when they’re going around crying over women. They’re only missing the ride.”
...
“Kenny came over earlier. He has a load of Es bought, and we heading off in less than a week. He’s some spa. We’ll be off our heads all week youssir, he says, we won’t hear the auld wans bullshitting.”
I would not feel comfortable teaching this text or asking pupils to read it aloud or for themselves. In a world which is challenging enough for this age group, I would not consider it edifying to study.
Reviewed by H C, teacher & parent, Co. Donegal
Verdict: Not suitable for the classroom.
My Nephew is studying this at school and hates it. He says that all the books he studies for English are bleak, depressing and rude. He used to want to be a writer but thanks to the horrible texts he is forced to study, he doesn't want to anymore....how sad is that...?
Elaine B, Co.Clare