Lovely aerial violence. I have to force Iron Maiden's "Aces High" out of my head and imagine a Shostakovich string quartet interspersed with ack-ack. Elegant action, my friend. And a quicky history lesson to boot.
If nothing else, listen to the Ronnie Drew tale in the first link. That’s the real Dublin style there. Voice like a glass o’porter, rough and smooth at the same time.
Such a phenomenal conclusion-- although I'm sorry it "is" a conclusion. Your mastery is evident, Murphy and although I hope there will be more dogfights in the future, I'm just excited to read whatever you choose to tackle. Words loop and bank with holy purpose in your hands. Keep soaring!
I read about the Easter Rising back in the day and the whole thing about the submarine really blew my mind. I'm def going to listen to Ronnie right now. The Dubliners are one of my alltimefavs!!!
Thanks Sean, I appreciate that so much more coming from such a fine writer as yourself.
Funny thing about the submarine is that the man who was caught by the Brits, Roger Casement, was captured on the beach in my maternal grandparents' village coming ashore off the sub. The Fenian guys who were detached to rescue him received no orders and spent the day drinking in my grandad's pub instead of stalking the British patrol.
This ending, the folly of the hero, I will tell, is similar to what I read from Norman O. Brown's book 'Love's Body'
"The fate of the sons," says Freud, "was a hard one; if they excited the father's jealousy they were killed or castrated or driven out." Virginibus puerisque canto. The Voice of the Ancient Bard, saying,
Youth of delight, come hither,
And see the opening morn,
Image of truth new born.
Folly is an endless maze,
Tangled roots perplex her ways.
How many have fallen there!
They stumble all night over bones of the dead,
And feel they know not what but care,
And wish to lead others, when they should be led.
A guiding book, Norman O. Brown was one of those geniuses who knew a lot of mythology, theology etc and from that the insights. Similar to a Joseph Campbell.
The ending is also reminescent of the famous movie Come and See. The little boy lost all the innocence wanting to fight that unfathomable demon.
Very interesting insights. It is of course the eternal story that old men make young men fight and die for them. What makes the carnage of the contemporary time so spectaularly awful is how the women and children, as well as non-combatant men, are no less considered fair game in the sacrifice to the old men in their citadels.
I hadn't considered Come and See, but since it is the most universal war film yet made it is surely an appropriate reference.
Lovely aerial violence. I have to force Iron Maiden's "Aces High" out of my head and imagine a Shostakovich string quartet interspersed with ack-ack. Elegant action, my friend. And a quicky history lesson to boot.
If nothing else, listen to the Ronnie Drew tale in the first link. That’s the real Dublin style there. Voice like a glass o’porter, rough and smooth at the same time.
You had me at porter.🍻
Culo Chulainn
I am so fascinated with this world and it's non-aviatic orgins. Thanks for fueling my fattythalamus.
Writing action scenes can be tough, but you make it look effortless here. Well done!
Now I'll have McCartney's "Mull of Kintyre" stuck in my head all week. 🎵
Damn, that's an unwanted side effect! Now you made me think of it too. It was Number One on Top of the Pops for like three months in my youth.
Thanks so much for your comment on the action bits, the key might be to go all old-style epic.
I didn't discover the song until a few years ago, so I actually don't mind it. It's a nice melody.
With that said, anything stuck in my head longer than a few hours will absolutely get on my nerves. 😆
Such a phenomenal conclusion-- although I'm sorry it "is" a conclusion. Your mastery is evident, Murphy and although I hope there will be more dogfights in the future, I'm just excited to read whatever you choose to tackle. Words loop and bank with holy purpose in your hands. Keep soaring!
Thanks for your kind words Ken. Hope to keep cranking out them old words as long as I can!
I'll be back for each one. Just-- small doses. Next to you, I'm still eating the paste!
Can't agree there - you're selling yourself short old sport
I read about the Easter Rising back in the day and the whole thing about the submarine really blew my mind. I'm def going to listen to Ronnie right now. The Dubliners are one of my alltimefavs!!!
You've got such a cool writing style. ❤️
Thanks Sean, I appreciate that so much more coming from such a fine writer as yourself.
Funny thing about the submarine is that the man who was caught by the Brits, Roger Casement, was captured on the beach in my maternal grandparents' village coming ashore off the sub. The Fenian guys who were detached to rescue him received no orders and spent the day drinking in my grandad's pub instead of stalking the British patrol.
Whhhhhhattt??? That's wild! hahaha
This ending, the folly of the hero, I will tell, is similar to what I read from Norman O. Brown's book 'Love's Body'
"The fate of the sons," says Freud, "was a hard one; if they excited the father's jealousy they were killed or castrated or driven out." Virginibus puerisque canto. The Voice of the Ancient Bard, saying,
Youth of delight, come hither,
And see the opening morn,
Image of truth new born.
Folly is an endless maze,
Tangled roots perplex her ways.
How many have fallen there!
They stumble all night over bones of the dead,
And feel they know not what but care,
And wish to lead others, when they should be led.
A guiding book, Norman O. Brown was one of those geniuses who knew a lot of mythology, theology etc and from that the insights. Similar to a Joseph Campbell.
The ending is also reminescent of the famous movie Come and See. The little boy lost all the innocence wanting to fight that unfathomable demon.
Very interesting insights. It is of course the eternal story that old men make young men fight and die for them. What makes the carnage of the contemporary time so spectaularly awful is how the women and children, as well as non-combatant men, are no less considered fair game in the sacrifice to the old men in their citadels.
I hadn't considered Come and See, but since it is the most universal war film yet made it is surely an appropriate reference.