By Aidan O’Sullivan
Who has the authority to tell the past?
For a book that is so routinely mentioned as a go to book to read about the Troubles, Patrick Radden Keefe’s Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland remains lacking and questionable. More a non-fiction thriller than a history book the book leans towards dramatics over journalistic analysis in this rendition of the 30 year conflict in Northern Ireland.
Beginning with Jean McConville’s abduction and murder at the hands of the IRA, the book focuses on in particular the lives of the Price sisters, Delours and Marian aswell as Brendan Hughes and Gerry Adams. While covering the great arc of events that occurred throughout the period, from civil rights marches to IRA bombing campaigns to the late 90s peace process, the book remains squarely concerned with the actions of the IRA in this period.
Many great books on the troubles have focused squarely on the IRA but Radden Keefe’s lack of analysis or exploration of the topic makes this decision a much starker and questionable one. One can see why it was adapted for a Disney+ television series. The portrayals of chases scenes and showdowns with IRA member Brendan Hughes and unionist paramilitary forces are thrilling in their cinematic quality. However, that is all they are. What the book never delivers is an in depth exploration of the characters it profiles.
More importantly the style of writing conveys a sense that Radden Keefe is interested more in crafting a gripping narrative than telling a story that actually respects the lives of those who lived throughout the Troubles. For a conflict that continues to exist in the living memory of those whom experienced it this is a blunder that must be avoided. The fact that Patrick Radden Keefe was either incapable or unwilling to do so reflects negatively on both him and his writing.