Trespasses by Louise Kennedy
Based around the suburbs of 1970’s Belfast, the backdrop of Trespasses unsurprisingly is the Troubles. But essentially this is a story about an ill-fated affair between a young woman and an older married man who come from different backgrounds – both socially and culturally.
Cushla is a teacher in the local Primary School but she helps out in the family business, a popular pub which is frequented by a mix of clientele including security forces. Michael is a renowned solicitor, known for championing the less popular clients. Their relationship starts tentatively as the story progresses, with Cushla being fully aware of what she is getting into. Michael introduces her to a different social circle and takes her temporarily out of the prejudiced atmosphere of both school and pub giving her a tantalising taste of what ‘normal’ life could be. We get glimpses of the plight of a catholic family living amidst an antagonistic community, the fracturing of a sectarian society and how the young are sucked into the paramilitaries. But the main story is told from Cushla’s point of view, the anguish as she waits for Michael’s calls, the tension between her loyalty to family, to her alcoholic mother and her desire to be with Michael whenever possible. Keeping the relationship secret from the rest of her family adds extra pressure on Cushla and the chain of events that follow affects both the relationship as well as both families, Cushla’s and Michael’s.
Evoking poignant memories for any reader who remembers these times, Trespasses will make a significant impact. Told sympathetically and with enough detail to engage the reader this novel is definitely worth picking up.
Submitted by Jillian
