Exploring the complexities of love and conflict in 1970s Ireland through Cushla’s eyes.
Published in 2022, Louise Kennedy’s debut novel, Trespasses, is set against the backdrop of 1970s Ireland, a time when the ‘Troubles’ reached their zenith. The narrative begins in a primary school near Belfast, where the day starts with prayers followed by a news bulletin. This bulletin is far from ordinary; it recounts a litany of horrifying events that children have become all too familiar with—killings, shootings, and bombings have become part of their daily vocabulary. The protagonist, 24-year-old Cushla, serves as a teacher, striving to shield her pupils from the grim realities surrounding them.
Cushla’s protective nature is particularly evident in her relationship with Davy McGeown, a boy who faces bullying due to his interfaith background. Davy’s family grapples with significant challenges; his father has suffered severe injuries, while his mother struggles to maintain the household. Cushla becomes a steadfast support for Davy, offering to accompany him to school, providing meals, and showing him affection in a world marred by violence and discrimination.
The setting is complicated by Cushla’s own family dynamics. Living with her widowed mother, Gina, in a predominantly Protestant town, Cushla navigates the complexities of her Catholic faith in a society rife with sectarian tension. Her family’s pub, a space that serves patrons from all faiths, serves as a microcosm of the societal divides that characterize her life. Cushla’s relationship with Michael Agnew, a Protestant barrister, adds another layer of complexity. Their age difference, social status, and contrasting views on nationalism create tension, exacerbated by the hostility of Michael’s acquaintances towards Cushla.
As Cushla grows closer to the McGeown family, she becomes increasingly intertwined with their struggles, particularly as they face the everyday violence that has become normal in their lives. The threats of the Troubles loom large, with soldiers appearing at weddings and bomb scares becoming commonplace. Cushla’s involvement with the McGeowns places her under scrutiny, especially as her relationship with Michael unfolds against this backdrop of societal upheaval. The narrative’s dual focus on Cushla’s personal life and the broader societal conflict underscores the pervasive nature of violence in her world.
The climax of Trespasses is marked by a series of catastrophic events that draw Cushla deeper into the turmoil surrounding the McGeowns. Her relationship with Michael, which she knows to be fraught with peril, becomes a source of guilt as the fallout from their entanglements begins to unravel. The novel’s final sections convey a sense of claustrophobia and urgency, with actions from the past returning to haunt Cushla in unexpected ways.
Throughout Trespasses, Kennedy explores the cost of hope amid chaos. As Cushla faces the inevitable tragedies that arise from the conflict, the narrative reflects on how personal joy and sorrow can become inconsequential in the face of overwhelming destruction. The tale serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of violence, revealing that the suffering experienced by individuals is often overshadowed by the relentless march of turmoil that defines their lives.
