Book description
Annie Caulfield's early years were spent by the seaside in Ireland.
However, the family shifted to Sixties London and soon she wasn't sure
who she was - was she English, was she Irish, and if so, what kind of
Irish? Watching the news of The Troubles, she was unable to recognise
the country she'd left behind.
On return journeys to visit her family over the last thirty years,
she discovers how much The Troubles have caused weird and successful
aspects of the country's life and history to be overlooked.
Caulfield's background is religiously and politically mixed, giving
her a unique and often astute perspective on The Troubles. This is an
Irish emigrant's tale, asking whether you can ever really go back to
your roots. If you were a punk rocker when others were on hunger
strike, can you really put your hand on your heart and say 'my
people'? If you get a headache and go home to watch Big Brother on
12th July, are you just too flippant to understand your own country?
There are many books on the recent history of Northern Ireland, but
none give such a funny insight into the lives of ordinary people as
Annie Caulfield's affectionate portrait of 'Alternative Ulster'.
Annie Caulfield was born in Northern Ireland. She has lived in
England for most of her life and now lives in London. She is a stage and
radio dramatist and has won several awards. Television work includes
Grim Tales, This Life, Comic Relief, Bosom Pals and Voodoo Spice. She
has worked for many years as a scriptwriter for comedian Lenny Henry.
Her previous book, published by Penguin, was Show Me the Magic, travels
around Benin by taxi.
