Creating a life

Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd is an amazing read. This book, set in 1981 Ireland, tells the story of Fergus McCann and his family at the point at which he is studying for his A-levels to see whether he will be allowed to go to study in England. His uncle and he are packing up peat for black-market sale when suddenly the bog reveals a body. Scared and startled, Fergus tells his uncle to get help so that the body can be salvaged. Is it a murder? Is it a payback for political gain? More is revealed about the time and circumstances of this individual's death, and the story incorporates many details of the so-called Troubles in the political atmosphere of 1980's Ireland. Fergus is a young man torn between worlds and ideologies, and at the same time a kid, fresh and full of enthusiasm for life.

The story pointed up the fact that we are the product of our choices. We create the situations and circumstances in which we find the space (or not) to be able to deal with life as it happens to find us. This book is appropriate for ages 15 up. I recommend Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd.