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Description
As he travels through the North, Wilson gets beneath the political surface to portray both the tragedy and comedy of everyday life in the Protestant and Catholic communities. Aware of the polarized image that each side has of the other, he emphasizes the importance of finding common ground and of asserting the middle against the extremes. Just as traditional Irish music is characterized by ornamentations and elaborations on a melodic theme, Ireland, a Bicycle, and a Tin Whistle is full of variations and wanderings on the theme of the trip itself. And just as traditional Irish musicians will follow a sad slow air with a lively foot-tapping reel, Wilson's mood ranges from the nostalgic and reflective to the irreverent and mischievous. If there is a lament in one ear, there is a song in the other.
Contributor Notes
David A. Wilson is a Professor in the Celtic Studies Program and the History Department at the University of Toronto, and the General Editor of the Dictionary of Canadian Biography. He has published twelve books, the most recent of which is Canadian Spy Story: Irish Revolutionaries and the Secret Police.
Editorial Review
“Wilson writes of Ireland and its people with wit, humour, imagination, and empathy and in a style that reveals the Irish love and understanding of language.” — Max Ferguson, host of The Max Ferguson Show, CBC Stereo Network
