Cal
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Set in war-torn Northern Ireland in a hard-pressed Protestant district, MacLaverty's Cal mixes the somehow predictable love affair between representatives of opposing sides with the tragedy of the political situation. Though some simplification in the development of the content might cause reserve with the trained reader, the author does succeed both in keeping the outward tension going as well as in building up acceptably to the inevitability of making the best of both worlds.
From ample (classroom) experience, I hold the view that any reader can benefit by this short novel, which draws from the author's authentic experience. Cal deserves a place alongside with other works dealing with inevitably continuing conflict where prejudice leaves an unbridgeable social and emotional gap. A most satisfactory read, and an early promise of such top-quality successors as Grace Notes. (Not untypically, the quality of the book exceeds the one of the film by far.)
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Given that later on MacLaverty matured into the master he now is, perhaps we can forgive him for the way in which he chose to conclude "Cal", with a third-rate love story ending that makes one's toes curl in embarrassment.
The shame is that the first three-quarters of "Cal" is MacLaverty at his best, with the skill to let you, the reader, work out what's going on, rather than tell you. This could have been the great "novel of the Troubles" if he had spent more time on the ending, and been more courageous about finishing it.
If this is your first experience of MacLaverty don't be put off. Move on to his short stories, such as "Matters of Life and Death". He's become one of the best living writers, anywhere.
The shame is that the first three-quarters of "Cal" is MacLaverty at his best, with the skill to let you, the reader, work out what's going on, rather than tell you. This could have been the great "novel of the Troubles" if he had spent more time on the ending, and been more courageous about finishing it.
If this is your first experience of MacLaverty don't be put off. Move on to his short stories, such as "Matters of Life and Death". He's become one of the best living writers, anywhere.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I found Cal very exciting in places and moving in others. The religious prejudice and conflict is very realistic and can in some places broaden your mind and opinions. I would recommend it to anyone as it was a very easy read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A trip down memory lane
On being set the book Cal by my uni lecturer I thought, oh god, not again!!! I had read it many years ago at school and didn't relish the prospect of doing it again!! Read more
Published 3 months ago by angelannie
Love in a time of violence
Bernard MacLaverty has not written anything like as many books as he might have. Since Lamb in 1980 he has produced just three more novels of which 'Cal' was the second. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Alexis Paladin
A powerful novel!
I first read Cal doing my higher English and found it a powerful peace of writing. Cal is a very dark novel. Read more
Published on 27 May 2004
worth reading
At a first glance it is certainly a good novel which shows (especially to outsiders) the problems in Northern Ireland. Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2003
ONE OF THE MOST MOVING BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ
THE ONLY THING I CAN REALY SAY ABOUT THIS BOOK IS READ IT FOR YOURSELF DONT TAKE ANYONE ELSE'S OPINION ON IT BECAUSE EVERYONE GETS SOMTHING DIFFERENT FROM THIS BOOK I COULDNT PUT... Read more
Published on 27 Aug 2000
An ok book but not a must read
Although the book is not an original idea i thought it was quite enjoyable to read. however, i would not go out-of-my-way to re-read it. Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2000
typical explotion of the Irish situation
It is clear that the author is not out to make any moral point but instead to bring together a worn love story done time and time again and make sure that the whole structure of... Read more
Published on 20 Jan 2000
GOOD ELEMENTS DON'T REALLY COME TOGETHER
Young Cal Mc Crystal tries to dodge the Loyalist gangs that roam his Loyalist estate.The story focuses on the anniversary of the death of an RUC man which Cal was involved. Read more
Published on 30 May 1999
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