William Trevor - The Story of Lucy Gault

Viking – 2002 - 228 pages

Lucy is almost nine at the beginning of the book. She likes wandering in the fields around the big house, up to the glen or down to the beach. Her companion is a dog left behind from a deserted house, the only witness of her forbidden sea baths. But soon her story will be overshadowed by Irish history.

The Gaults came from England long centuries ago. For generations they have split their destiny between army and their estate at Lahardane in Co. Cork. Few of the land remains in their hands but they are proud to maintain their position. In the 1920s, Ireland is at a turning point, Protestant land gentry is forced to leave and their houses often burnt down by Republicans. Lucy’s parents feel the threat, their dogs have been poisoned and one night Mr Gault shot to three trespassers who carried petrol tins.

They made the decision to leave Ireland, at least for a time. As so many Irish did through the centuries, emigration seems to be the natural solution for a problem at home. It is their turn to leave behind what they have cherished and to look abroad in search of another life. Such a life is just not possible for Lucy. Secretly, she escaped to the woods, thinking that her parents would be forced to stay. As they searched for her, they found her shoe and some of her cloth on the beach, hidden from her by the dog. Enough to believe she has been drowned. They hasted their departure, without letting know anyone their whereabouts.

How many innocent lives were torn out by the so-called Catholic revenge. Adding to the disgrace, the wounded trespasser, the Republican arm, turned out to be a wild boy, barely avoiding asylum. His foolish action pushed away a respectable family without profit for anyone, just adding more pain and distress. With this novel, William Trevor shows the consequences of the general history to individual story.