I took this photograph in the TC Palya slum in Bangalore, in India, earlier this year. Rosita Boland, the Irish Times features writer, and I were investigating the origins of a multibillion-euro industry: the collection of human hair for resale as wigs and hair extensions in the salons of the West. These women had been out collecting hair from the brushes and combs of women in ordinary households. Picture by Brenda Fitzsimons.
Category: BOOK REVIEWS
SENDING CHRISTMAS CARDS WAS HEANEY’S ANNUAL RITUAL
This time of year always reminds me of my father’s annual ritual of sending out Christmas cards. Every December, he approached the task with the rigour and planning of a small military operation. First, and most importantly, was the drawing up of the list – each year, the backbone of old friends, extended family, fellow writers and colleagues would be added to, to include new people he had met over the previous twelve months.
BOOK REVIEW by JOHN COONEY
A final chapter outlines the awesome decline of the Catholic Church, not least because of the clerical abuse scandals and episcopal cover-ups but also owing to the rapid secularisation of society and alienation of young people as lamented by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. This book should be read alongside Seamus Mallon’s invaluable recent memoir, A Shared Home Place (written in conjunction with Andy Pollak).
REMEMBER TO BUY KENNETH ROY’S NEW BOOK
Scottish Review is back with a special edition on Friday. If you have any comments on the issues raised in this week’s SR, please
BOOKS: OMEY ISLAND BY HEATHER GREER
Heather Greer writes: “I’m pleased to announce the release of my new book, OMEY ISLAND – A GEOLOGICAL AND HUMAN HISTORY. Hard cover, 176 pages, full colour, many Appendices, References and Index. The book contains much information/data previously unavailable to the public.. You can BUY DIRECT from the author (JUST message/phone me if you’re in the area – 086-854-7279), OR read more about it and buy securely online, at
https://www.connemaradoorstep.com/omey-island—a-geologica…
NEW BOOK FROM HELEN FITZGERALD
Helen Fitzgerald is the acclaimed Scottish author who wrote the TV series CRY which was set in Australia, where she comes from originally. Helen is the wife of former Lennox Herald reporter and TV and film producer Sergio Casci. There’s still time to order a copy for Christmas.