by Louise Doyle
A CONFIDENT debut novel by Donegal author Alan Murrin set in the 1990s when divorce was still illegal in Ireland delves into the lives of three women trapped by marriage.
The Coast Road is set against the backdrop of pre-divorce Ireland, exploring societal constraints placed on women.
It follows the lives of Izzy Keaveney, a housewife, Colette Crowley, a poet who had an affair with a married man, and Dolores Mullen, who is expecting her fourth child.
Set in a small coastal town, the book explores the women’s fight for autonomy and independence in a society of its time that sought to restrict such things.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Alan said setting the story against the backdrop of life in Ireland prior to the divorce referendum of November 1995 wasn’t by deliberate design, but in doing so allowed him to explore women’s relationships with themselves and others.
“I was 10 years old when the divorce referendum took place in Ireland. I remember that time very well because discussions around the referendum were never off the airwaves, the television or absent from newspapers.The conversation around divorce occupied so much airtime.
“For me, the hook to the novel is about relationships. If the book was set in modern times, none of the relationships would be in existence because people would have the freedom to walk away. There would be no jeopardy.
“It is categorised as a historical novel now, people reading it now may see it as ancient history even though the 1990s was not that long ago. The divorce referendum was only passed by one per cent, 49.9 per cent of people voted against it in this country. It’s a whole different time and era in our country.”
Alan said he is “particularly proud” of the character Dolores Mullen.
“She is the third woman in this story. She was the character I knew least about when I began writing the book, but she became integral to the story. There was a huge commitment to respecting her, and that, for me, felt rewarding,” said Alan.
Born in Killybegs, Alan later attended boarding school in Castleknock, Dublin, before completing a Masters degree. Having spent a number of years living in London, he said a move to Berlin, where he has been living for seven years, has given him freedom from financial and personal pressure constraints.
“Boarding school required an adjustment period, but it makes you very independent,” said Alan.
“I was living in London for nine years previously and when there I used to visit friends in Berlin. It struck me as a place I could make a life in. There are fewer economic constraints, it was much more free. There is less pressure here than when I was in London, and not only financial pressure but pressure to succeed. But I have found Berlin very nurturing, and there is plenty of support. It’s also a city full of artists.”
Authors the Killybegs man admires include William Trevor, Irish novelist, playwright, Anne Enright and Scottish novelist and short story writer, Muriel Spark.
His favourite book remains ‘The Butcher Boy’ by Patrick McCabe which tells the story of Francis ‘Francie’ Brady, a schoolboy who retreats into a violent fantasy world as his troubled home life collapses.
“I’ve read it three times and at very different times in my life. Each time, I was drawn in and hypnotised by Francie. I love to read characters who are filled with rage and how they react to it.”
Alan said his family have read his debut novel, adding: “Some have read it several times and they are very proud.”
With plans to write another novel, we’ll keep our eyes peeled.
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