We had a lively and, at times, intense discussion of ‘The Temporary Gentleman,’ by Sebastian Barry. The structure of this story is fascinating, complex, and skilfully done. It has interweaving narrative sections on present events, as the protagonist, Jack McNulty, reflects on his life, but it’s the flashbacks that form the major part of the story. Barry also includes seemingly incidental sub-plots, which beautifully highlight the major themes and offer insights into wider areas of Jack’s world. And his prose is lyrical and a joy to spend time with.
However, this is no light-weight trip down memory lane, Barry doesn’t shirk from dealing with difficult and emotionally intense topics. One of the many divisive issues for the group was the breakdown of Jack’s marital relations and the descent of the family fortunes as they become increasingly impoverished and dysfunctional. Who bore the major responsibility for this? Jack clearly believes his wife’s behaviour should be forgiven in view of the problems she faced and the lack of available help when it was most needed. But what of Jack himself? This is where the entrancing narrative technique comes into its own, as the real secrets of the story emerge not through what is said but through reflecting on what is not said; only then do the ordeals he endured during wartime emerge and elucidate for the reader what the narrator himself is incapable of articulating.