Cacophony of Bone
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Canongate Books
Published:4th Jan '24
Should be back in stock very soon
In Cacophony of Bone, the author invites readers into a profound exploration of nature, time, and the essence of home. The narrative unfolds as Kerri and her partner M seek solace in a remote railway cottage nestled in the heart of Ireland. Their intention was simple: to find a place to settle down. However, what transpires over the course of a year is a transformative journey that reshapes their understanding of life and their surroundings.
The book chronicles the cyclical nature of existence, weaving together field notes that capture the essence of a year that spans from one winter to the next. Through lyrical prose, Cacophony of Bone reflects on the interplay between change and permanence in a world that is constantly evolving. The author eloquently illustrates how life persists in its myriad forms, from the act of nesting to the inevitability of death, despite the chaos that surrounds it.
Ultimately, this work serves as an ode to a year filled with discovery, a place that resonates deeply, and a love that profoundly alters one’s perspective. It’s not just a tale of a changed life; it’s a meditation on the enduring connections we forge with the world around us, making Cacophony of Bone a poignant read for anyone who has ever sought a sense of belonging.
[A] generous, glowing book. ní Dochartaigh is on intimate terms with the natural world . . . [and] Cacophony of Bone is distinctly innovative in form. This attention to form is a considerable narrative achievement. It [. . . ] persuades the reader to look, assess and imagine afresh * * Irish Times * *
Raw, visionary, lucid and mystical, Cacophony of Bone speaks of the connection between all things, and the magic that can be found in everyday life -- KATHERINE MAY
The delight of ní Dochartaigh's writing is her capacity to measure compassion against observation. Her wisdom is like water - too strong, and too elusive, to be hooked . . . This is the book's power - that it fills the needs of the person who stands before it . . . It is a book that creeps into the reader * * Caught by the River * *
This is a brilliant second book from a unique and deeply gifted writer who constantly renews our sense of the natural world and the landscape of the heart -- KEVIN BARRY
What joy, to find oneself once more in the world of Kerri Ní Dochartaigh, following her through the astonishments of her days, where each moment is deeply felt and each page is written with such nimble meticulousness. Cacophony of Bone is neat as a robin's nest, and just as wondrous -- DOIREANN Ní GHRíOFA
A strange and beautiful book - a collage of glittering images, moments, feelings, sensations. A selection of shining objects gathered on windowsill for safekeeping. A careful record of a fulcrum year, with all its joys and pains laid out on the page; Kerri ní Dochartaigh is a prose poet with keen eyes and a huge heart -- CAL FLYN
In Cacophony of Bone as in her previous work, Kerri has a deeply personal voice that feels as if it comes not from her, but from the earth beneath her -- MARC HAMER
I am a little in awe of Kerri ní Dochartaigh's work - the clarity and disinhibition of her storytelling; the wild freedom of her prose. Here is a brave and bold book, and one that deserves to be read, then read again -- HELEN JUKES
Cacophony of Bone is a book that touched me deeply. It's so vital, so brimming with life and love, and ní Dochartaigh's singular, addictive lyricism -- LUCY JONES
In poems and essays, Ní Dochartaigh writes in exquisite detail of the seasons, beginning with the "ghost-trace, moon-white" and silent winter that kicks off a new phase of life * * Los Angeles Times * *
- Long-listed for Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing 2023 (UK)
ISBN: 9781838856304
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 18mm
Weight: 205g
304 pages
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