Walk the Blue Fields

Stories

By: Claire Keegan

Narrated by: Aidan Kelly, Aoife McMahon, Aidan Quinn

Claire Keegan's brilliant debut collection, Antarctica, was named a Los Angeles Times Book of the Year and earned her resounding accolades on both sides of the Atlantic. She continues her outstanding work with this new collection of quietly wrenching stories of despair and desire in modern-day Ireland.

In "The Long and Painful Death," a writer awarded a stay to work in Heinrich Böll's old cottage has her peace interrupted by an unwelcome intruder whose ulterior motives emerge as the night progresses. In the title story, a priest waits at the altar to perform a marriage—and battles his memories of a love affair that led him to question all to which he has dedicated his life. And in "Dark Horses," a man seeks solace at the bottom of a bottle as he mourns both his empty life and his lost love.

A masterful portrait of a country wrestling with its past and of individuals struggling toward their futures, Walk the Blue Fields is a breathtaking collection from "that rarest of writers—someone I will always want to read," and a resounding articulation of all the yearnings of the human heart (Irish Times).

©2007, 2008 Claire Keegan (P)2007, 2008 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Wonderful stories

Enjoy the wonderful stories and excellent narration. Varied folk and relational stories. Great to listen with a family member. I look forward to reading more from this author — uses imagery, humor, and serious content to blend well-crafted narratives.

Stunning Storytelling

Claire Keegan’s stories are so evocative and beautifully crafted. She has become one of my favorite writers. I will surely listen to this again.

Writing and narration

i have read Claire Keegan's Foster and enjoyed listening to her stories in this collection immensely!

Rich, impactful and thought provoking

I’m absolutely mesmerized by claire Keegan’s writing. Never before have I been pulled into a short story and left to contemplate for days after. What a treasure! And an honor to be invited into Irish culture via a narrative.

Enjoyed the stories set in Ireland, but . . .

Close to the Water’s Edge: sun setting in the Atlantic and branches on palm trees? I will try another book by this author, as some of the stories were hauntingly beautiful.