An Evil Cradling - Brian Keenan

Advantages: A moving, funny and terrifying read.
Disadvantages: None

...such men that Brian Keenan, an Irish teacher, found himself when on his way to work at the English University of Beirut. What was to follow for Brian, would have made a lesser man insane, I am sure that if it were me who had been taken I would have been dead by now. Brian Keenan was raised in an Ireland full of troubles, sectarian values were abound and he was himself troubled by the futility of the young people dying for a cause they understood ...
...complete horror with honesty and an understanding of how his captors viewed him in relation to themselves. He was, quite simply, an infidel and unclean, he was never allowed to look upon any of them and wore a blindfold whenever they were present. He was determined that he would show no fear to them, despite the fact that he was, understandably, scared witless for much of the time. His captors would try and engage him in conversation, asking about ... Read review

Advantages: An extremely interesting read.
Disadvantages: You'll be left shocked

Being 15 and in an english class at school, I was given the task of selecting a book, poem, short story etc. to do a kinda review of- specialist study is what it was called. So, I trecked off to the small, nearly adequate school library to try and find that one special book amongst the seemingly millions that there were. I got 5 books out in total, one of them "An Evil Cradling" I came across "An Evil Cradling" and because of the intimidating cover ...
...at a time, treated like an animal. Once, he was beaten so badly that he couldn't walk, for simply stopping a man from hitting him by putting up his arms to prtect himself. Another time, he was "mummified" in masking tape with only a small hole for him to breathe and squashed suffocatingly into a small boot. He's denied magazines, games - any sort of entertainment for the majority of his stay. In only 4 years so many things happen to him that he eventually ... Read review

Advantages: Beautifully written, moving, horrifying, enthralling
Disadvantages: Some of the experiences descibed are horrific

...UK. The style has an almost poetic meter about it that gives it real flow. Rather than being a depressing read is is really about the joys of life and one man's (brotherly) love for another man - in this case John McCarthy, his fellow captive. It's never dull and is filled not just with description but about thoughts and feelings about life as much as it is about the situation he in which he finds himself. It was a runner up in the Booker Prize ... Read review

Advantages: Encourages compassion and an insight into differing cultures and religions when the meet
Disadvantages: None

...Having read both 'Some Other Rainbow' by John McCarthy and Jill Morrell and 'An Evil Cradling' by Brian Keenan, I found myself inspired to read this book. What I loved best about the books I have mentioned, was despite the hostages suffering, they were able to write so eloquently and so humorously about what had happened to them. Neither, was I disappointed with this book. Once upon a time in the not so distant past, a boy met a girl. Big deal, you might say, so what? It happens all the time. However, when Jack met Zena their lives were set to change forever. We all know the story of Romeo and Juliet, the star crossed lovers but this is no fictional tale and goes to prove how is so often said, that the truth is much stranger than fiction. Living in a Yorkshire town, Jack is white. The object of his affection is Zena. She... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: unforgettable
Disadvantages: emotionally difficult

..., too many dead, and too little support for human rights work. Anil must find a way to be at peace with her own country as she faces its horrors head on. This is not an easy book, it is littered with casual violence and suffering, it's definitely not suitable for younger readers. However, it is a real wake up call to the kind of thing that's happening around the world all the time. If this doesn't motivate you to want to make some positive difference, I have no idea what might. Consequently, this is one of those books, like Brian Keenan's 'An Evil Cradling', which I think everyone ought to read. The story is a powerful one, of a hidden body, too decomposed to have a face or name. This is a body that might, for various reasons, speak for many of the dead, and Anil is drawn to work with it, alongside a local man. She becomes caught up... Read review

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Advantages: see opinion
Disadvantages: see opinion

...to the real nitty gritty of it all, but I was left feeling as though this was a sanitised experience. He displays a lot of positive characteristics from time to time, and it's all very laudable, but I somehow felt as though it was missing the darker dimension, especially if you read Brian Keenan's version in his book "An Evil Cradling". It's not a criticism of the book, and it makes me feel awful, as though I think he didn't suffer enough, but it doesn't carry the same impact of horror as Keenan's book, and instead focuses on the hope and optimism being generated by his girlfriend's campaigns to raise public awareness, and at their possible (an impossibly romantic) reunion. As well all know, Jill refused to have herself called his girlfriend and ultimately they have found other partners to share their lives with, but this book stands as proof... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful