The Coral Island

Amazon.com

Winner of the 1987 Whitbread Award for Under the Eye of the Clock, Christopher Nolan has now fashioned an extraordinary epic set in rural Ireland. The Banyan Tree spans three generations of O'Briens, who own a small dairy farm in Westmeath. For years, alas, the family has seen its ranks diminish. Minnie O'Brien's husband is long dead and her three children scattered in a typical Irish diaspora--Brendan is a priest in Africa, Sheila a nurse in London, and Frankie an Australian sheepshearer and oddjobber around the globe. In the meantime, Minnie stubbornly clings to her life, her five fields, and her memories, which take root like a banyan tree and feed her lonely old age.

In many ways, The Banyan Tree is a conventional tale of births and deaths, weddings and funerals, all set against the land and the lure of emigration. What makes it unusual is Nolan's flexible, fickle, and often fantastical language. Not only does he use colloquialisms to locate the characters very specifically, but he brings verbs, nouns, and adjectives to sparkling life by allowing them to change places at will. The butter churn is a "druidic dark drum" that comes "Sundaying into life." On the day after Minnie's wedding, the "morning songed the reading of the streets." Even a description of a sleeping baby erupts into Joycean music:

Breathing soundlessly, the baby slept as though he had been there since the house was built. Waves of tenderness winked from her immaculate eyes as she facted where her baby but slept away his drabness.... His minutes were building into hours and his plumbed hours were nearing that transom hour, that bragging hour, when he might bubble burst just to hymn his daylong lifetime.

Nolan's alliterations and galloping hyphenation evoke not only Joyce but the whimsical beauty of Gerard Manley Hopkins. And like Hopkins, he can sometimes overindulge his penchant for verbal shenanigans. But while the author's circumlocutions may clog the narrative from time to time, The Banyan Tree nonetheless works up to a moving climax, and offers a surfeit of linguistic riches along the way. --Cherry Smyth

Book Description

Covering the eighty-plus years of the life of Minnie O’Brien, The Banyan Tree is a rich saga of rural Ireland in the twentieth century. In prose as lushly layered as the land it describes, Nolan lovingly details the triumphs and tragedies of this spirited woman, who struggles to keep body and soul, as well as her modest hopes, alive. While her three grown children have long since moved away, she is determined to keep her family’s farm from the tightening grip of her unscrupulous neighbor, in the hope that one day her youngest will return to claim what is rightfully his. Weaving from the gentle world of Minnie’s youth to the harder realities of the present, this sage and soulful story pays homage to a feisty individual spirit as well as a rich collective past.

Customer Reviews:

C. Nolan: An artist at work.......2002-11-21

Christoper Nolan painted this story as an artist paints a masterpiece. With each stroke of the pen, he etched in my mind the events of the past and present of the characters.

Today's Answer to James Joyce.......2002-05-06

I am interested in reading books by modern day Irish authors, and I did not regret having selected Christopher Nolan's book. What got me interested was in learning that the author is physically challenged, but Mr. Nolan is a literary genius.

There might be some inaccuracies in the time and the dates in the story line, but with the prose, and literary style of Mr. Nolan, the reader floats through this wonderful book.

The lush prose of a simple woman's life.......2002-03-20

I read this brilliant novel thanks to an Amazon friend, entirely unfamiliar with this gifted author. From the first page, I willingly immersed my imagination in his uncommon phrasing and particular eye for description, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary and the plain beautiful. A simple tale of a mother's last years of widowhood and patient wait for worldly release becomes a transforming journey through the corridors of her soul, one not unlike the hidden beauty of my own mother's heart, perhaps, eventually, even of mine. For Minnie O'Brien is, at the core, the essence of motherhood at its most elemental and complex. We learn of her marriage and children through a loving wife and mother's eyes, she who remembers those precious childhood moments, when such sweet intimacy can pierce a heart with pain and joy in equal measure.

From the start, Minnie and Peter O'Brien form a love match that sustains them through the years, raising three children. Brendan, the first-born, is enamored of a life in the Church, begun as a missionary, leading ultimately to a position as a Bishop. Their daughter, Sheila, has set down her own roots in England, established her own family. And the youngest O'Brien, Frankie, has heard the siren-call of wanderlust, impatient to begin his vague pursuit of worldly travel. Each of the O'Brien children step impulsively into their own futures, but of all, Minnie's heart refuses to relinquish the hope that Frankie, the prodigal son, will one day return. Into her eighth decade, she wills her aching bones and weary mind to keep moving through the daily necessities of their small farm, frequently lost in reverie, dancing over the fields of yesterday, reliving the passions of her youth.

THE BANYAN TREE pulses with extravagant language, reforming archaic definitions, rendering sentences fresh and beautiful as the Emperor's New Clothes. The pages resonate with a passion for life, the intransigence of beauty, and, of course, the ultimate expectation of forgiveness. Don't read this book unless you love the taste of words on your tongue, or the turn of phrase as sensitive as a lover's glance that spreads across your face like fire. This novel is a treasure for those with an insatiable thirst for the road less traveled, the impulse to scale walls of words that become fanciful towers of impossible heights... and, as well, a willingness to abandon reasoning to genius.

Hurrah for purple prose.......2002-03-18

You'd think that some readers need to be hit between the eyes by the fact that stories are made of WORDS. And that sensuous attention to the sounds and textures and overtones of words are as an important part of a writer's story as the plot. Nolan wants you to slow down and savor life, so why don't you do it? Ah, heaven defend us from these latter-day puritans who want nothing but the facts!

If you don't like poetry you won't like this book!.......2001-07-24

A wonderful story ruined by the author's constant attempts to come up with original and oh-so-clever descriptions (which in my opinion is the case with many poems). A few such sentences sprinkled throughout the book could have been tolerated, but practically every paragraph was just too much.

Customer Reviews:

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

A couple of storylines here, and they are only average. Wonder Woman has to cope with a philosophical paradox when she is caught in a sticky situation with her lasso.

Plastic Man goes back to family, when he looks into what his occasionally seen son is up to, along with a bit of help from his friends.

Wonder Woman front and center!.......2007-01-16

These were originally published as JLA #61 - #65.

Wonder Woman is usually an ensemble character at best in the JLA series. But, in this first storyline written after Mark Waid's steady hand (written by Joe Kelly), Diana, Princess of the Amazons, takes center stage. A child is kidnapped in a strange land, and Diana, always seeking the truth, comes to a paradox, where there are multiple truths, and her precious Lasso of Truth, the Sacred Rope of Hestia, is "torn asunder" by Diana pursuit of her only belief of what is right. And it breaks the very foundations of truth for the rest of the world and humanity. Wonder Woman must go on a quest to rebuild it, as the other members of the JLA battle events brought down by the distruction of quantum mechanical laws (yes, you read correctly. pg76 Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle, explained by the Atom in a JLA graphic novel!).

An excellent story, as Wonder Woman discovers that there can be many truths, showing the frailties and strengths of one of the core members of the league.

Fav panels: pg 102, Wonder Woman with her lasso (of course), and the opposing page of Batman on top of Plastic Man making like a gargoyle.

A fun read.......2006-08-10

Wonder Woman has always been a great character, but it always kinda bugged me the whole "lasso of truth" thing. After reading this, I found a new appreacation for her and her golden perfect lasso. Basically, some Amazons come to the aid of a woman whoes child has been "kidnapped". Wonder Woman and the JLA go to a small, xenophobic country and finds the child in question to be a "Buddah" type. When the lasso is used on the magican-dictator of said country, it reveals he's teling the truth and the child must remain in the country and not with his mother. But WW refuses to believe it and the lasso breaks. Then, pretty much, all hell breaks loose as reality becomes "subjective".

I really dug how the JLA changed due to "public opinion" (especially Batman).

I got it from the library, but I am going to add this to the collection, it was an enjoyable enough read.

Great portrayal of Wonder Woman.......2005-01-03

The writer and artist both gave a superb representation of the Amazon Princess and this story did a great job presenting her as the focal point. Also, the Batman/Plastic Man team-up (harkening back to the Brave and the Bold days) gave me a new appreciation for a character I was determined to hate.

Makes sense.......2004-06-18

....Let me just start off by stating that I do not know the writers. I mean, at all. I read these books strictly because I like the JLA. I've read the previous books, but after "World War III" I was really skeptical about buying the rest. WWIII made no sense 2 me. But "Golden Perfect" {aside from the title} was pretty good. Focused alot on Wonder Woman, which isn't usually the case. It caused me 2 realize that her whip is more important than I once thought. Aside from that, Batman and Plastic - man have a duo story. ...Its as expected, u get 2 see the silliest and the most serious work together. Its ok. I really don't know what else 2 say. The book is good, but nothing special. But it does make sense ... thats really all I ask.

Book Description

An exciting and at times Hilarious confrontation between chaos and logic!

As the end of the twentieth century nears, an asteroid is hurtling toward Earth. When it hits, the impact will result in the end of all life on the planet.

Ambassador Spock travels back in time to subtly warn Earth's inhabitants of impending doom while calling into question humanity's priorities. However, before the truth is told, the all powerful being Q appears and reminds Spock that he is prohibited from interfering in Earth's history. Besides, Q doesn't see mankind as something worth saving.

This initial encounter between the two legendary characters explodes into a battle of wits as Spock cleverly befuddles Q with his own words. As barbs are exchanged, and humanity's laws and wonders are laid bare, Spock's logic just may convince Q that humans are indeed a species worthy of salvation, but will he be too late?

In Spock Vs. Q, Leonard Nimoy and John de Lancie again bring their characters to glorious life in the most lively and entertaining debate since Nixon vs. Kennedy. Recorded in front of a live audience, Spock Vs. Q is a stirring audio program that could only come from Alien Voices.

The Sequel

The battle of wits and logic is joined again!

Following their debate over the fate of mankind, Spock and Q continue their discussions over a meal. After dining, the two return to the stage to recount their repast, which included encounters with several of Spock's former shipmates.

However, at the moment the two verbal sparring partners shake hands, a power surge places them in total darkness. Suddenly, Spock and Q are no longer on stage, but somewhere in deep space.

As they struggle to determine what has happened, a curious personality change takes hold. Spock is overcome with giddy delight. Q is much more serious, even...logical.

Masterfully performed by Leonard Nimoy and John de Lancie, Star Trek® Spock vs. Q: The Sequel is a fascinating and often hilarious role reversal that reveals previously unknown sides of Spock and Q. It is a program so original it could only come from Alien Voices®.

Customer Reviews:

Absloutely Hilarious!.......2007-03-12

i just got my copy of this gift set and although i'm not a "trekker" nor a "trekkie", this set is still great to have. the verbal sparring between spock and q isn't one to be missed.all through out there were lessons about acheiving out fullest potential as human beings and doing good wherever we can.

i would definitely recommend this to all star trek fans.

Pure ST fun.......2007-01-02

This collection of two live performances is a lot of fun. In the first, "Spock vs. Q," Spock has come back in time to warn Earth of an impending disaster (an asteroid is about to strike the planet), but Q shows up to prevent him from altering the space-time continuum. In the second, "Spock vs. Q: The Sequel," Spock and Q have just returned from dinner when they are suddenly zapped out into space -- and have switched personalities.

Plotwise, the first CD is better than the second. The jokes wear a little thinner in the sequel, and while it's great hearing Spock laugh and joke, the gimmick only carries the narrative so far. In the first CD, the Spock/Q banter moves at such a fast pace that I found myself missing bits of cutting insults or inuendo or ST references. It was great.

Don't be fooled, however. These CDs are about much more than a few laughs and paper-thin plots. Like the best of Star Trek, these audio adventures are morality plays in disguise. Beyond the banter, these shows carry wonderful discussions (and messages) about humanity, love, the environment, charity, and even that often-taboo (within ST) subject of the divine.

This is a great collection, and a joy for any Star Trek fan.

Clever idea, but not that clever.......2006-02-28

I am a star trek fan from way back. I enjoyed listening to the CDs, but from a purist standpoint, Q couldn't lose to spock, and the overall presentation was not as captivating as I would hve liked. Worth a listen, but probably cheaper to buy for your ipod

Incredible performance.......2005-10-26

When I bought the "Star Trek: The Spock vs. Q Collection" I knew I was in for something special but what I didn't know was how special it was going to be. This collection is absolutely hillarious, both Nemoy and DeLancie are in great form and the interaction between the two is not to be missed.
Two masters at their craft.
The story itself is great and so is the writing, the dialog is intelligent and the delivery is fast pace, you can tell they were having a lot fun performing together.
As a bonus you get a cd with a short preview on the show, if the complete show is available on dvd please let me know I'd buy it in a second.
Also I recommend the other five cds recorded by Alien Voices, you won't be sorry.

Cool concept!.......2005-09-07

I wasn't exactly sure what I had purchased. Being a ST fan, I was merely intrigued by the title. I wasn't disappointed. These two plays seemed to be great fun for Leonard Nimoy and John de Lancie. They displayed a great, witty reparte that was, for Spock, somewhat emotional at times. It was great fun to listen to their arguments and wonder what an episode or two with Q and Kirk's crew would have been like. Afterall, since Q is immortal and omnipotent, that shouldn't have been a problem, right? Enjoy! I certainly did. It made a long road trip tolerable.

Average customer rating:

Disappointing
Not what I'd hoped for.
Fantastical!
Masterful performances by two of the best Star Trek characters
Absolutely hilarious

Spock Vs Q Cd
Leonard Nimoy
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 0671045830

Book Description

As the end of the twentieth century nears, an asteroid is hurtling toward Earth. When it hits, the impact will result in the end of all life on the planet.

This initial encounter between the two legendary characters explodes into a battle of wits as Spock cleverly befuddles Q with his own words. As barbs are exchanged, and humanity's flaws and wonders are laid bare, Spock's logic just may convince Q that humans are indeed a species worthy of salvation, but will he be too late?

In Spock vs. Q, Leonard Nimoy and John de Lancie again bring their characters to glorious life in the most lively and entertaining debate since Nixon vs. Kennedy. Recorded in front of a live audience, Spock vs. Q is a stirring audio program that could only come from Alien Voices.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing.......2007-10-05

Content: Spock and Q engage in a debate regarding a potentially life-extinguishing asteroid headed toward Earth.

I bought this at a library book sale and assumed that it was a serious debate since the two actors look rather serious on the cover (hint to book artists: cover design should give indication of book content). Listening to this tape was like listening to one of those old radio broadcasts from the mid-20th century era. Spock's final words, "Say goodnight, Q", even echo the old George Burns/Gracie Allen dialogs which ended with "Say goodnight, Gracie". Although the program is supposed to be humorous and even witty - it disappoints due to the unsophisticated silliness which permeates the dialog. Nimoy and deLancie are fine, it is the material that is not very good.

Not what I'd hoped for........2007-06-18

I did enjoy this CD but the debate between the two men sounded so scripted that it took some of the pleasure out of the experience. Unless you're a hard-core Trekker,this isn't for you.

Fantastical!.......2006-10-31

This is a very funny, very witty exchange by two of the most misunderstood beings in our galaxy. This one is as good as the sequel is awful. Stop after you've heard this one. It is a masterpiece!

Masterful performances by two of the best Star Trek characters.......2006-01-23

This tape is very funny, a joy to listen to, although if you aren't very familiar with the history of Star Trek, you will not understand many of the jokes. The premise is that an asteroid is on a collision course with Earth and Q has the power to prevent it. Spock has traveled back in time in an attempt to convince Q that humans are worth saving. A challenge is issued and the two engage in a verbal battle of wits, logic, personality and intelligence. Riddles are stated, puns and subtle insults are thrown and humanities flaws and successes are cited.
Spock remains his logical self, although he allows a bit of a sprite to appear in his personality. Q is still the trickster, yet he allows some of the respect he has for Spock to show through. Recorded in front of a live audience, the performances of Nimoy and de Lancie are excellent. The writing is also superb, many of the jokes and personal barbs are subtle and you must pay close attention or you will miss them. Spock wins the debate and Q moves the asteroid away from the Earth so it will not collide with it for another two decades or so. "Just so that humanity will have something to challenge them in the future." I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this tape two times in quick succession.

Absolutely hilarious.......2003-01-17

I found the audio tape absolutely hilarious. It was a non-stop laugh. I would highly recommend.

Average customer rating:

Not so good...unless maybe you are a die-hard, convention-attending trekker!
Very entertaining transference of personalities
As great as you imagine.
Great followup!
Wondiful!

Spock Vs Q: The Sequel (Star Trek)
Alien Voices
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 0743507037

Book Description

THE BATTLE OF WITS AND LOGIC IS JOINED AGAIN!

STAR TREK®
SPOCK VS. Q
THE SEQUEL
AN ALIEN VOICES® PRODUCTION
STARRING LEONARD NIMOY AND JOHN de LANCIE
Written by Cecelia Fannon

Following their debate over the fate of mankind, Spock and Q have continued their discussions over a meal. After dining, the two return to the stage to recount their repast, which included encounters with several of Spock's former shipmates.

However, at the moment the two verbal sparring partners shake hands, a power surge places them in total darkness. Suddenly, Spock and Q are no longer on stage, but somewhere in deep space.

As they struggle to determine what has happened, a curious personality change takes hold. Spock is overcome with giddy delight. Q is much more serious, even...logical.

Customer Reviews:

Not so good...unless maybe you are a die-hard, convention-attending trekker!.......2006-02-27

OK...I've never been to a Trek convention. I've never put on "the uniform" or "the ears". I've never sparred amongst my nerd friends (of which I have many) about how many Red Shirts bite the big one in episode 22 of Season 1 of TOS. However...I have been a fan (NOT fanatic) of all things Star Trek since the day I was born. OK...tehcnically it was one week after I was born (9/8/1966) that the first episode aired, but close enough, yes? I just found this and the first "Spock vs. Q" to be a bit too contrived. It was obviously playing to the over-enthusiasm of the crowd at the live taping. All the references in the first Spock vs. Q were cute at first, but then seemed like the story would do anything to find a reference to something in the small or silver screen stuff.

Don't get me wrong. I dearly love both Leonard Nimoy and John DeLancie. Two awesome actors playing great roles in nearly every instance. This performance however could have benefited from some of the superior writing of TNG or anything afterwards. The whole "swapping minds" thing...just didn't do it for me. If they were trying to pull off a personality switch on the order of Face/Off (Travolta/Cage in a brilliant performance), then they fell way short.

I suggest saving your cash and skipping these audio presentations. Better invest your funds in some other great work by these two (TOS, TNG, films on DVD...or even some of the great films Nimoy has directed...they are all awesome!) Or maybe even save up to attend a convention! You'll get more out of meeting one or both of them...and might actually score an autograph!

Very entertaining transference of personalities.......2006-02-11

In their previous duel of wits, Spock was able to best Q and now they are about to engage in a second round. However, as they are about to begin, there is an enormous surge of power and they suddenly find themselves in an unknown location. The situation is further complicated when Spock begins to take on the personality traits of Q and Q those of Spock. Since Q is robbed of his powers, and Spock does not know how to use them, there is nothing either of them can do to save themselves.
The personality transfer is very well played by Leonard Nimoy and John deLancie. The sound of Spock giggling and uttering Q-like witticisms was very entertaining. The dampening of the Q personality by applying overtones of the Spock persona was also very funny. Jokes fly back and forth between them as they continue their verbal sparring, although now their personalities are blended with the opposite dominant in the other's body. Of course, in the end, the situation is resolved and they save themselves.
Fun to listen to, this tape is an aspect of Star Trek that is just good, clean entertainment. I enjoyed it so much I listened to it twice.

As great as you imagine........2002-11-29

Its an epic battle of wits, on the dr. Faustus scale.
Truly a great and unique treat for any Star Trek fan.
Makes a great Christmas gift! :-)
Get it. You ain'T gonna regret it.

Great followup!.......2002-09-08

This was as good as or better than the first one. It was surprising and very enjoyable to hear the personality trade between the two. Spock doing all the singing and laughing like Q. John de Lancie wasn't too highly convincing playing a logical minded Spock, but who cares. He's one person who cannot downplay his personality too much. Highly enjoyable and hopefully there will be a third one.

Wondiful!.......2002-07-31

I loved this CD! Basically the only thing that made it 4 *'s, is that Spock laughed too much, but other than that, the story was very good.

Book Description

Long before the Bush administration had heard of the Taliban and their scorched earth policy toward women, feminists were alert to the threat to women’s freedom posed by religious fundamentalism, in Afghanistan and throughout the world. Nothing Sacred is a unique collection of feminist writings from America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia on religious fundamentalism and women’s oppression—before and after September 11. Is secularism a necessary condition for women’s liberation? How has religious fundamentalism contributed to discrimination—and violence—against women, both in Muslim countries and the West? Contributors reflect on the rise and fall of the Taliban and the contentious debate among feminists about the U.S.-led war on terrorism. Nothing Sacred also confronts and challenges the simplistic “clash-of-civilizations” thesis advanced by Samuel Huntington and his disciples, developing a more nuanced and compelling analysis of the culture war that continues to pit religious conservatives against advocates of women’s empowerment and human rights not only in Afghanistan but everywhere. The volume includes a variety of perspectives and views, and ultimately advances a new, internationalist feminism. Contributors include Arundhati Roy, Barbara Ehrenreich, Karen Armstrong, Gloria Steinem, Eve Ensler, Susan Sontag, Ellen Willis, and Laura Flanders.

Customer Reviews:

Everyone needs to read this book!.......2004-02-10

This is a really terrific book, confronting some of the most urgent questions in our world today. Is secular feminism a purely Western phenomenon? is religious fundamentalism always at odds with women's equality? should American power be used to free women in other countries, as Bush claimed he was freeing Afghani women from the Taliban? With fundamentalist Islam -- and repression of women -- on the rise in post-war Iraq, and fundamentalist Christians opposed to women's freedom of choice running the USA, the questions this book raises are tragically timely. The authors bring fascinatingly diverse perspectives to the table. Some are strongly committed to the secular, others committed to more humane, egalitarian interpretations of their faith. This book contains writing by some of the sharpest living female intellectuals, and represents a wide range of experiences, political and religious views and nationalities. Betsy Reed has done a wonderful job of culling and shaping this work into a beautifully conversational whole. Katha Pollitt's introduction is, like all her writing, brilliant: elegantly irreverent and clear-headed. Provocative and absorbing -- everyone should find something to disagree with! Buy it now!!!!

Deep, complex.......2004-02-05

This collection of essays by scholars and journalists East and West gives a fascinating and detailed picture of the threat every kind of religious fundamentalism poses to women's human rights. But it does more -- it offers fresh ways of understanding the appeal of fundamentalism to men and women both. We think of fundamentalism as ancient -- actually it is a modern response to rapid and uneven social change, including modern roles for women. Karen Amstrong makes this argument in "The Battle for God," but she is mostly interested in theology. I learned more from "Nothing Sacred," because it explicitly describes the worlds from which fundamentalism emerges, the hopes it exploits and the damage it does-- not just in the Muslim world, but in "Christian" America, in Israel, and in India. Wherever religious movements seek to restore a lost and imaginary pristine past, women are the big losers.

Provocative and smart.......2004-01-28

The essays seemed expertly chosen to represent a widely divergent set of opinions. With an intro by the extraordinary Pollitt, how could you not get pulled in?

What an Interesting Book.......2004-01-28

The essays in "Nothing Sacred" are a great antidote to the simplistic mainstream thinking about the "war on terror" [sic]. From Katha Pollitt's fantastic introduction through all of the various essays, I learned a lot about the feminist perspective on religious fundamentalism.

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