The last century has seen radical social changes in Ireland; which have impacted all aspects of local life but none more so than traditional Irish music; an increasingly important identity marker both in Ireland and abroad. The author focuses on a small village in County Clare; which became a kind of pilgrimage site for those interested in experiencing traditional music. He begins by tracing its historical development from the days prior to the influx of visitors; through a period called "the Revival;" in which traditional Irish music was revitalized and transformed; to the modern period; which is dominated by tourism. A large number of incomers; locally known as "blow-ins;" have moved to the area; and the traditional Irish music is now largely performed and passed on by them. This fine-grained ethnographic study explores the commercialization of music and culture; the touristic consolidation and consumption of "place;" and offers a critique of the trope of "authenticity;" all in a setting of dramatic social change in which the movement of people is constant.
#994532 in eBooks 2012-12-17 2012-12-17File Name: B00IX652EC
Review
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful. Great novel for its time....By Juana D. VarelaI am a non-traditional student who has to read over 100 books for the comprehensive exams in the spanish literature area of study. This was an easy and entertaining novel to read. Having a woman author; gives the reader a better understanding of the period in which the book was written. Women in the XIX century were not at an advantage and this book illustrates this in a very profound way. The characters are controversial and typical of the times. It gives us a great insight into the provincial life in any given city of Spain while demonstrating traits of a naturalistic period very different from same genre by french authors like Zola or Flaubert. I would highly recommend Emilia Pardo Bazans novels.
