The Rat Pit
Published on 14. November 2016
304 pages
978-0-85790-283-2 (ISBN)
Description
Set in the Ireland and Scotland of the early 1900s, and based on real events, The Rat-Pit is the tragic story of Norah Ryan, a devout and intelligent Donegal girl who leaves her homeland after the death of her father hoping to find a better life 'across the water'. Unable to escape the cycle of grinding poverty, Norah's fate is further sealed when she becomes pregnant by Alec Morrison, the son of the farmer on whose land she lives and progressive views on social justice, Alec callously abandons her and, too proud to accept his begrudging offer of financial help, she finds herself bitterly ostracised.
More than the story of one woman's decline and death, The Rat-Pit is also a grim and unflinchingly realistic portrayal of the Irish immigrant experience in Scotland, as well as a savage critique of a Church and society that did its best to crush those who could scarcely be more vulnerable and disadvantaged.
More than the story of one woman's decline and death, The Rat-Pit is also a grim and unflinchingly realistic portrayal of the Irish immigrant experience in Scotland, as well as a savage critique of a Church and society that did its best to crush those who could scarcely be more vulnerable and disadvantaged.
Reviews / Votes
'A restrained poetic vision overshadowed only by MacGill's passionate hatred of the gombeen men and the grasping Catholic clergy who people its pages' * Sunday Express * 'Penned with chilling realism, a heartrending transcript from life' * Cork Examiner *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Birlinn General
File size
1,04 MB
ISBN-13
978-0-85790-283-2 (9780857902832)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Patrick MacGill, 'the Navvy Poet' was born in Donegal in 1889 and died in Florida in 1963. He wrote a number of bestselling books (many of which are semi-autobiographical), including, Moleskin Joe, The Rat-pit and The Great Push, as well as a number of poetry collections.
Content
- Intro
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Contents
- Introduction
- Foreword
- 1. The Turn of the Tide
- 2. An Unsuccessful Journey
- 3. On Dooey Head
- 4. Restless Youth
- 5. Good News from a far Country
- 6. School Life
- 7. Plucking Bog-Bine
- 8. The Tragedy
- 9. The Wake
- 10. Coffin and Coin
- 11. The Train from Greenanore
- 12. Derry
- 13. A Wild Night
- 14. 'Beyond The Water'
- 15. Drudgery
- 16. Little Loves
- 17. A Game of Cards
- 18. In the Lane
- 19. The End of the Season
- 20. Original Sin
- 21. Regrets
- 22. On the Road
- 23. Complications
- 24. The Rat-Pit
- 25. Sheila Carrol
- 26. The Passing Days
- 27. The Newcomer
- 28. The Rag-Store
- 29. Dermod Flynn
- 30. Grown Up
- 31. Despair
- 32. Confession
- 33. St John VIII, I-II
- 34. Longings
- 35. The Farewell Meeting
