Famine, by Liam O'Flathery

Written by Irish author Liam O’Flaherty (1896 – 1984), Famine is about the hell endured by the millions whom suffered through the Irish potato famine.  This is a dark, historical novel that follows a community as they confront the potato blight, plagues, the state, and other profound forces and institutions that drive them into the depths of starvation, violence, and insanity.  O’Flaherty conveys the history through exceptional character dialogue.  The excerpts scanned below are related to the Irish resistance formed in response to local and state tyranny.  You can right-click to view the full image and read it, but if that’s too much work, I’ve transcribed some of excerpts of the excerpt.   But if you want to go all the way, you should read the book.  (Please, read a book, any book…)

The curate speaks to the doctor: 

“There is nothing holier than to fight in defence of liberty, to die for it, for the freedom of the earth that bore you and the happiness and prosperity of those you love.  But that brings suffering; and the cowardly are afraid of suffering….Yes.  Everything that is noble and beautiful comes out of the pursuit of holiness; freedom and the joy of living a pure life.”

“No chain is stronger than its weakest link….We are a house divided against itself.  We are a house on a hill, threatened with a hurricane.  A brigand has taken up his abode in our house.  He has enslaved us with the help of his marauders.  We have read the signs in the heavens, but we are unable to make our dwelling place secure…

“I have told you before to love this Irish earth as your mother.  How?  Ask the people.  They know.  It’s in their veins.  Listen to them.  Feel with them. Bow down before them. It’s only when we deny out instinct, through greed or cowardice, that we sin.  So humble yourself.  Not in words, with the tongue, but down in your soul!   They future is still pure and holy.  Let people cast stones if they wish.  The people are always right in the mass.  For a moment they may be wrong for a generation.  A generation is only a moment in history.  In the long run they are right..."