Tomas O'CrohanThe Islander: Complete and Unabridged

After visiting the Blasket Island Center in Dunquin, Ireland, I was so inspired to find and read books by some of the islander authors! To see their pictures, hear their voices and read mini biographies was astounding! The Islander is a enchanting and captivating read. Tomas O'Crohan was a magnificent storyteller, done in the proper Irish. Read this book! You WILL NOT be disappointed!

A totally fascinating account of life as it used to be on the island. The joy, hardship, sorrow, and accomplishments from the memories of a highly intelligent man. This is a historical glimpse of a life full of what we would consider hardship but to the Islanders it was what was everyday happenings sprinkled with their Catholic faith and defined by the sea and harsh weather.

I really enjoyed this book. It was slow going at times, but hearing about the Island life and the different characters, the food they ate and what they did for entertainment was so interesting. I am determined to visit the Island this summer. There are ferry crossings during the summer and you can spend the night...I just have to set foot on the island.

The grit, determination and humor of the poorest of the poor as the the sea and the weather determined their fate.

My interest is more in the storytelling and in this the author is a master. I can not put the book down. Fascinating detail and perspective. Very much present. Truly a powerful voice. Brilliant work.

This is an excellent book if you're interested in how people lived on the Irish islands in the late 1800's and early 1900's. I didn't give it five stars because something has to be very exceptional for me to give five stars. Trust me, this is a great book!

Having read Robin Flower's translation of this work years ago, I was massively disappointed with this edition. Robin Flower, Seamus Ennis, and Douglas Hyde had the knowledge, taste and insight to fit the English to the Irish original in their work as translators. This edition's translation style employs a soulless, sterile, and boring approach. There is an unfortunate and false assumption that Hiberno-English is dead and that it has to be eradicated in the manner of a Stalinesque pogrom. This same dreadful translation style was applied recently to Cre na Cille, sadly. In the case of Cre na Cille, buy Mac an Iomaire's translation, which is wonderful, and an antidote to the other choice. As regards the Islandman, save your money and buy Flower's translation, which is far superior.

Having read Robin Flower's translation of An t-Oileánach and several other books about the Blaskets, I've just started reading this new translation and, from the very first pages, I've found what I consider two mistakes.First of all, when putting name to his brothers and sisters, in this new translation it says: "I also had two brothers, Patrick Donal and Tomás Donal". On the other hand, the previous translation said just "Patrick and myself, Tomás". I find it difficult to believe there was another brother by the same name (checked in the family chart, Muiris Mac Conghail, The Blaskets: People and Literature).Then, when describing his house, the new translations says: "Our door faced north and the door of the other part of the house faced south". Anyone who has an interest in Blasket history knows that the old houses only had one door, as the previous translation says: "Our house was reversed; that is, its door faced north - all the others were turned to the south".And this in the very first TWO PAGES. Should I keep on reading????

Good condition & quick delivery. Amazing story to read if someone is interested in the history of the Republic of Ireland

A brilliant kimage of the life in western Ireland

Wending our way around Ireland in our motorcaravan we stopped at many OPW sites of interest. The Blasket Island Centre was one such. The islands are easily viewed from the mainland. This translation of Tomas O'Crohan's book makes accessible his story of life as lived in his time. The book drew me in and I felt the hardship and grittiness required to survive and prosper in those days. If you have any interest in these fascinating islands I recommend that you read this fine book.

Good value and an interesting read, a few more pictures/ photos of the Island and Tomas O Criomthain would add to it

Impressive given all the harsh conditions people lived through in the Blasket Islands the amount of positivism and faith, witch teaches us how to valeu even more the things we have.