Publication
Irish Independent (2002)
Original publication date
2002
Collections
Subjects
Awards
Women's Prize for Fiction (Longlist — 2003)
Booklist Editor's Choice: Adult Books (Fiction — 2002)
Description
In the Forest, set in the west of Ireland, is the story of a young man who shoots dead three people in a forest glade.The young man, Mich O'Kane, is "not all there in the head" as one character puts it. By puberty, he is already committing petty crimes, ending up in borstal. By the time he is back home he has also served time in a British jail and is an institutionalised criminal.His sexual fantasies, revolving around women in the village, eventually centre on Eily, an artist and single mother, who lives with her son Maddie. One day Mich pounces, and orders Eily to drive them to the woods nearby.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Nickelini
In Ireland, Michen O’Kane suffers through a sad childhood of abuse. Returning to County Clare on the west coast after a stint in prison, he is now a psychopath, and begins to menace and terrorize the residents of the area. Even the police are afraid of him. He stalks Ely, a young free spirited
The story is told through the eyes of many characters who witnessed the events. This is the books strength, but also its weakness, as in the beginning it was difficult to figure out what is happening and how it relates to the story. For example, when Ely and Maddie are introduced, I have no idea what gender Ely is, and that Maddie is her son. But after a while everything clicked and then the technique worked well. (I wish authors would do a better job of giving readers some markers, and not be so damn cryptically clever.). Apart from that criticism though, I enjoyed this novel. O’Brien doesn’t spend much time with flowery descriptions or melodrama—for such a dark, creepy story, it’s rather understated.
In the Forest is based on a similar story that actually happened in Ireland in the 1990s, and apparently many in the country were outraged by this novel, as they saw this ex-pat writer as simply cashing in on their local tragedy.The Guardian calls In the Forest one of those “state of the nation” books, and so this book is not just a retelling of horrific murders, but a story about modern Irish society as well. I’m sure that made some people there uncomfortable.
Recommended for: not sure—I liked it, and it garnered some good reviews, so if it sounds interesting, give it a try.
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mother of four-year-old Maddie, who have taken up residence in a ramshackle remote cottage. When they go missing, Ely’s friends immediately suspect O’Kane (aka “the Kinderschreck,” or “children scarer”) but the authorities are slow to react. The story is told through the eyes of many characters who witnessed the events. This is the books strength, but also its weakness, as in the beginning it was difficult to figure out what is happening and how it relates to the story. For example, when Ely and Maddie are introduced, I have no idea what gender Ely is, and that Maddie is her son. But after a while everything clicked and then the technique worked well. (I wish authors would do a better job of giving readers some markers, and not be so damn cryptically clever.). Apart from that criticism though, I enjoyed this novel. O’Brien doesn’t spend much time with flowery descriptions or melodrama—for such a dark, creepy story, it’s rather understated.
In the Forest is based on a similar story that actually happened in Ireland in the 1990s, and apparently many in the country were outraged by this novel, as they saw this ex-pat writer as simply cashing in on their local tragedy.The Guardian calls In the Forest one of those “state of the nation” books, and so this book is not just a retelling of horrific murders, but a story about modern Irish society as well. I’m sure that made some people there uncomfortable.
Recommended for: not sure—I liked it, and it garnered some good reviews, so if it sounds interesting, give it a try.
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LibraryThing member PilgrimJess
"Darkness is drawn to light but light does not know it, light must absorb the darkness and therefore meet its own extinguishment."
This novel is based on true events. Imelda Riney and her son Liam along with a local priest were murdered by crazed Brendan O'Donnell in 1994. When the book was first
Michan O'Kane, on release from prison in England, returns to his childhood environs. Once there he sets out on a course of delinquency, menacing the inhabitants and leaving a trail of thievery and destructiveness. He cuts an almost mythical presence. All the community's wrong doings seem to have been rolled up into one individual. The locals, including the Guarda, are afraid to either challenge or tackle him even leaving gifts of food outside their homes almost like they were making religious offerings to him.
In contrast the female victim, Eily Ryan, isn't totally a virtuous woman. She is a single mother with a young lover who teaches in a local school but also likes to drink, play pool and generally socialise in the local pub and going skinny dipping in the local lake with a group of youths. When the local Police commander discovers her diary he is rather scandalised by her thoughts about love and sex. Eily, is something of a free spirit in a religiously conservative country.
Eily moves out of a town apartment in to an isolated cottage which was the former hideout of Michan. He is initially infuriated with her but becomes infatuated. Michan lost his mother as a young boy and is schizophrenic, he has been in and out of various institutions most of his young life where he was brutalised by his fellow residents and those in charge alike. Haunted by voices, shunned by those around him, he has no idea to build relationships. He is demented and vicious and a storm is building within him.
This is a grim tale but the author's economic and at times lyrical style means that she manages to portray the horror whilst avoiding glamorising violence. So much so that I ended feeling almost as sorry for the the murderer, who was badly failed by the authorities, as I did the victims. This is my first O'Brien book and I enjoyed her writing style. I found it hard to put down once I got into it yet somehow felt that it lacked that little something which would have really made it stand out in a crowd.
This novel is based on true events. Imelda Riney and her son Liam along with a local priest were murdered by crazed Brendan O'Donnell in 1994. When the book was first
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published in 2002 it caused some controversy as many people felt that not enough time had elapsed and that O'Brien was exploiting the grief of those involved. However, what a novel does that a newspaper article or court reports can never do is unemotionally look at the circumstances leading up to the crime. Michan O'Kane, on release from prison in England, returns to his childhood environs. Once there he sets out on a course of delinquency, menacing the inhabitants and leaving a trail of thievery and destructiveness. He cuts an almost mythical presence. All the community's wrong doings seem to have been rolled up into one individual. The locals, including the Guarda, are afraid to either challenge or tackle him even leaving gifts of food outside their homes almost like they were making religious offerings to him.
In contrast the female victim, Eily Ryan, isn't totally a virtuous woman. She is a single mother with a young lover who teaches in a local school but also likes to drink, play pool and generally socialise in the local pub and going skinny dipping in the local lake with a group of youths. When the local Police commander discovers her diary he is rather scandalised by her thoughts about love and sex. Eily, is something of a free spirit in a religiously conservative country.
Eily moves out of a town apartment in to an isolated cottage which was the former hideout of Michan. He is initially infuriated with her but becomes infatuated. Michan lost his mother as a young boy and is schizophrenic, he has been in and out of various institutions most of his young life where he was brutalised by his fellow residents and those in charge alike. Haunted by voices, shunned by those around him, he has no idea to build relationships. He is demented and vicious and a storm is building within him.
This is a grim tale but the author's economic and at times lyrical style means that she manages to portray the horror whilst avoiding glamorising violence. So much so that I ended feeling almost as sorry for the the murderer, who was badly failed by the authorities, as I did the victims. This is my first O'Brien book and I enjoyed her writing style. I found it hard to put down once I got into it yet somehow felt that it lacked that little something which would have really made it stand out in a crowd.
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LibraryThing member bhowell
a very enjoyable read by this accomplished British writer, a good thriller, and "very postmodern" says my English major daughter who also read it.
LibraryThing member novelcommentary
I have only read the short stories of O'Brien in the past. This novel was interesting in that there were dozens of narrators all taking turns in telling their insight into the life of Michen O'Kane who becomes obsessed with a single mother, Eily who lives alone in the woods. The setting is
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described well as is the lives of these townsfolk who know the unfortunate circumstances of this youth gone wrong, but even those circumstances do not quite add up to the psychopathic behavior of Mich. O'Brien writes well. I enjoyed the narrative style and the portrayal of the Western Ireland country. Show Less
LibraryThing member Whisper1
This is a disturbing novel which uses fictional characters to depict a real-life series of murders in Country Clare and Country Galway Ireland. The images are vivid and graphic.
In 1994, a young artist and her three year old son were missing and later found to be murdered near her isolated cottage.
This is the backdrop for O'Brien's novel as she takes us on a journey inside the mind of a young man who not only lost his mother, but was abused by priests, his father, prison guards and was failed by a woefully inadequate, neglectful child welfare system.
The writing style reminded me of Truman Capote's famous book In Cold Blood, wherein the callous murderers of the Clutter family were examined and portrayed in a manner where the perpetrators appeared to be victims of their wretched past.
Honestly, I related more to the innocent victims that were murdered than to the murderer.
In 1994, a young artist and her three year old son were missing and later found to be murdered near her isolated cottage.
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During the same time period, a priest met a similar fate at the hands of a seasoned criminal whose name was Brendan O'Donnell.This is the backdrop for O'Brien's novel as she takes us on a journey inside the mind of a young man who not only lost his mother, but was abused by priests, his father, prison guards and was failed by a woefully inadequate, neglectful child welfare system.
The writing style reminded me of Truman Capote's famous book In Cold Blood, wherein the callous murderers of the Clutter family were examined and portrayed in a manner where the perpetrators appeared to be victims of their wretched past.
Honestly, I related more to the innocent victims that were murdered than to the murderer.
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LibraryThing member lmnop2652
My first Edna O'Brien book, I found this to be an easy read in the first few chapters, although horribly violent, then a bit tough to turn the pages as I tried to figure out what this book was about and who all these characters were and what the connections might be, then I couldn't put the book
A scary book, the subject (schizophrenia gone dangerous, murderous) of which is not something I want more, but I'll seek O'Brien out for sure. Her writing was graphic, evocative.
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down until I turned the last page (which left me wanting more in a macabre way).A scary book, the subject (schizophrenia gone dangerous, murderous) of which is not something I want more, but I'll seek O'Brien out for sure. Her writing was graphic, evocative.
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LibraryThing member Eamonn12
Read this novel when it first came out. Well written, but the horrors of the actual murders on which it is based occluded it in my mind. No work of fiction could do them 'justice'.
LibraryThing member gypsysmom
I know I read this book because I crossed it off in the book that I keep of books reviewed that I wanted to read. Otherwise don't remember anything about it.
LibraryThing member greeniezona
This book was very well-written, but still I can hardly help but be angry that I read it.
Based on true events (or inspired by?) In the Forest is the story of a boy destroyed by the system intending to help or "correct" him. Only after a few glimpses at this destruction, we meet him as an "adult,"
There are many reasons why I am angry with this book. The first is that once O'Kane's fascination with the mother became clear, I was propelled to keep reading, quickly, as if the fact that I didn't put the book down would mean that the searchers would find her in time (whether or not the victims died is left in suspense for many chapters, until close til the end of the book), that she and her son would be tired, and dehydrated, maybe wounded, but alive. But all of that suspended hope was for nothing. There was no redemption for the victims, no redemption for the killer, I hated the villagers for not reporting the abduction... The book was about hell. Hell on earth. And I just didn't realize that was what I was signing up for when I started the book, somehow.
Others may not find this book so upsetting. Indeed, most of the reviews I have seen for this book are overwhelmingly positive. But as the mother of a young child, this isn't the kind of experience I want to walk into unknowingly.
Based on true events (or inspired by?) In the Forest is the story of a boy destroyed by the system intending to help or "correct" him. Only after a few glimpses at this destruction, we meet him as an "adult,"
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when he returns from a recent stint in prison to his hometown, where he will murder a young mother and her child, along with a priest. There are many reasons why I am angry with this book. The first is that once O'Kane's fascination with the mother became clear, I was propelled to keep reading, quickly, as if the fact that I didn't put the book down would mean that the searchers would find her in time (whether or not the victims died is left in suspense for many chapters, until close til the end of the book), that she and her son would be tired, and dehydrated, maybe wounded, but alive. But all of that suspended hope was for nothing. There was no redemption for the victims, no redemption for the killer, I hated the villagers for not reporting the abduction... The book was about hell. Hell on earth. And I just didn't realize that was what I was signing up for when I started the book, somehow.
Others may not find this book so upsetting. Indeed, most of the reviews I have seen for this book are overwhelmingly positive. But as the mother of a young child, this isn't the kind of experience I want to walk into unknowingly.
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LibraryThing member Kristelh
I read this in 2011, it is based on a real event in history set in Ireland. The story is about a man who commits a triple homicide. The story is well told but also was very controversial. It was felt by some that Ms O'Brien was capitalizing on their tragedy. She had stated that when she was taken
Ms O'Brien writes with economy of style, makes the characters real, the tragedy real and the forest itself is a presence in the story.
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to the forest where the murders occurred, she had to write the story. Ms O'Brien writes with economy of style, makes the characters real, the tragedy real and the forest itself is a presence in the story.
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Media reviews
What is surprising, and pleasantly so, is the emotional urgency that propels O’Brien’s narrative, the intense richness of her prose, the primal truths about human nature she reveals as she plumbs the lives of these tragic figures. Immersing herself in the thicket of a true crime (the story is
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based on a real-life 1966 murder spree), O’Brien has patiently peeled back the underbrush and laid bare the forest within. Show Less
O'Brien's brilliant stroke is to make us understand that O'Kane is not merely a savage madman, by placing him in the milieu that formed his character. Incapable of overcoming childhood patterns of violence, O'Kane, in a horribly distorted way, becomes our mirror image; he's both "the
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personification of evil" and our "own flesh and blood, gone amok." O'Brien's sentient, sonorous prose makes both O'Kane's inner world and his environment nearly palpable. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
9780297607380
Physical description
5.98 inches