‘The Colony’ by Audrey Magee is set on an Island just off Irelands Atlantic coast, where the population has dwindled to double figures. It's the summer of 1979 and the way of life on the island is under threat, whilst the troubles rage in the north.

Lloyd and JP

It's into this setting that two new characters arrive - an English artist called Lloyd, seeking inspiration and determined to 'rough' it and paint the cliffs and landscape. He believes it will bring tourism to the island. And the frenchman JP masson, a linguist who is working on a study about how the Irish language has been decimated and the threats it faces, especially from the English. Both believe they are helping the island in their own way.

These two visitors, aided by Micheál who is determined to make as much money as possible, stay close by in cottages near Mairead, her son James, her mother and grandmother. James (or Seamus to JP) spends time with the English artist and finds out he has an aptitude for painting - which opens up new possibilities for him. There's conflict between the Frenchman and Englishman - JP, resents Lloyd for forcing the islanders to speak English, contributing to it's demise.Jp, with his Algerian mother, has complicated personal reasons for oppoising colonialism.

Colonisation

In between chapters, like a radio bulletin, appear the murders that take place during this time in the north of Ireland. This caught me unawares to begin with, and put a timestamp on the events. These parts really hit home for me - I finished a passage one morning then walked past the place where the murder had taken place. These interludes are about people paying with their lives for colonisation amd imperialism and gradually begin to seep into the story.

Of course ‘the colongy’ is about colonisation - from the influence of the english language, to James not wanting to be a fisherman and wanting to change his life. But it's also about identity and self determination, the power of art and culture.

It seems easy to read but there's a lot going on here. I particularly enjoyed the clipped dialogue, before it shifts into a description of the landscape. It's beautifully written. the language poetic, stylish and poised and delivers a perfect if devestating ending.

I enjoyed this and was emotionally invested in the characters, especially James, and it's definitely a thought provoking and beautifully written book.

The colony by Audrey Magee

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Published Feb 1, 2022 Faber and Faber

324 Pages