Say Nothing

Northern reticence, the tight gag of place
And times: yes, yes. Of the “wee six” I sing
Where to be saved you only must save face
And whatever you say, you say nothing. — Seamus Heaney

Say Nothing is a gripping history of the troubles in Northern Ireland. It delves into the back stories of key actors in the IRA and centers upon their role in the disappearance of a thirty-eight year old widowed mother of ten. The book is a dispassionate look at the complexities of the sectarian conflict and provides a lucid portrayal of the events. It is also an empathetic portrayal of the justifications for those involved and the consequences of their actions, including the lasting effects on the national and individual psyches of the victims and perpetrators of violence.