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SFReader Forums > SFReader > Ask The Expert > Irish reaction to fiction set during The Troubles?

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H.P. Lovesauce
Necronomicondiment

Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 584

Posted 6/24/2008 9:54 AM (GMT -4)

Thinking of creating a piece of weird fiction set during the British occupation of Northern Ireland. This isn't fully fleshed-out, but isn't planned to be overly sympathetic to either republicans or loyalists. What's the opinion of the Irish on this?

che2000
doc caliban

Date Joined Oct 2006
Total Posts : 462

Posted 6/24/2008 12:58 PM (GMT -4)

It’s a bit of a moral minefield, quite frankly, and probably depends on the viewpoint of your characters.

For instance: Certain sectors of the community might believe that by using the expression ‘British occupation’ then you have already come down on the side of Republicanism, thus negating any attempt at neutrality, since loyalists and unionists did not regard the presence of the British army as an occupation but rather regarded their presence as essential – peacekeepers rather than invaders (NI being part of the UK)

On the other hand, of course, one could equally argue that the very presence of the British army and (to pick one pivotal moment – or perhaps the pivotal moment - in the history of the Troubles) their actions on Bloody Sunday provided the catalyst for the ensuing violence of the next 30 odd years and effectively destroyed the work of the Civil Rights movement (which until that point had been the principal vehicle for social change and equality and encompassed both Nationalist and Unionist sympathies) and shifted the focus of the struggle from one of equality in the Northern Irish state to one of armed Republicanism and the struggle for national unity by any means.

I think that the very moment you begin to explore Irish politics and the Irish mindset (bearing in mind that there are some one million people in Northern Ireland who do not regard themselves as Irish but rather British or, at best, Northern Irish) you open a can of worms on which the lid is not easily replaced. And this is before you even start to place any speculative or fantastical element into the story (whew!)

It’s perhaps significant that the vast majority of Irish SF writers (people like Bob Shaw and James White) tended to shy away from such things and set their fiction in a wider galactic view. The exception to this is Ian McDonald who’s novel King of Morning Queen of Day is one of the few attempts to place the Northern Irish conflict in a speculative realm (and a damn good book it is too).

I suppose what I’m saying is that you need to tread really carefully.

"That blackguard Flashman, who never speaks to one without a kick or an oath--"

H.P. Lovesauce
Necronomicondiment

Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 584

Posted 6/24/2008 1:05 PM (GMT -4)

Thank you, O Doc Caliban of the Emerald Isle.

I think I'll stay out of that particular minefield, yes I will.

che2000
doc caliban

Date Joined Oct 2006
Total Posts : 462

Posted 6/24/2008 5:04 PM (GMT -4)

Got on me soapbox there a wee bit, methinks, oops, but for heaven's sake please don't think that I'm telling you what you can or cannot write, if it's a story you wish to tell then you should tell it.

'Sides, just 'cause yer walking through a minefield doesn't mean you necessarily have to step on a mine.

"That blackguard Flashman, who never speaks to one without a kick or an oath--"

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