Bad day in Blackrock by Kevin Power
'Bad Day in Blackrock' is the debut novel by Dubliner Kevin Power, dealing with the events preceding, and repercussions following, the death of a private school student at the hands of his peers, it is a powerful portrayal of the dark side of Irish modernity. These young men come from wealthy families, their future assured, and their present a tapestry of excess - parties, sex and rugby being their main focus in life. Despite this they are portrayed in an empathetic manner, their tragedy as moving as any hero of literature. Drawing us into their world yet reserving judgement, Power weaves a deeply affecting tale of lives torn asunder in the aftermath of tragedy. Like all great novelists, Power uses an emotive personal tale to discuss society as a whole, his characters indicative of many young people in Irish society. 'Bad Day in Blackrock' is more than simply a crime novel, it is an exploration of the hidden world of the rich and a portrait of Ireland at the peak of the boom.
James, Dún Laoghaire Library
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