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The Old Jest cover art

The Old Jest

By: Jennifer Johnston
Narrated by: Heather O'Neill
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Summary

Late summer near Dublin, 1920, and up at the great house there are still cucumber sandwiches for tea. Slipping away from Aunt Mary and dotty Grandfather, 18-year-old Nancy has escaped down to the shore to dream in the beach hut - longing for her life to begin.
©1979 Jennifer Johnston (P)2014 Audible Inc.
Coming of Age Literary Fiction Historical Fiction
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A dark tale of Irish life skilfully captured

Jennifer Johnston, scandalously less well-known than she should be, like many of the excellent Irish women writers of the 20th century, delivers a stunning piece of work set in 1920, during Ireland’s “Troubles”. Written from the point of view of a young Irish woman brought up in the classic ”big house” and a member of the gentry, It shows the complexity of the Irish situation, and the idealogical conflicts that affected all Irish citizens as a result of the colonial old order. An unusual and delightful read, without sentimentality or compromise.

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One of her best

This is a marvelous book. One of her best. Highly recommended, this one.