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Alexandra Campo Iraolagoitia Buenos Aires, Argentina Nothing less than in love with Secrets, a very short story that made a deep impact on me and my students alike. Thank you for it. Still at odds when it comes to defining style. Any help from the horse's mouth? Mon, 3 Oct , 2016
Linda MacFadyen near Newcastle Heavens, 33 years since I did your publicity for CAL! Hope all is well with you. Lindax Wed, 1 Jun , 2016
Linda, 33 years are as a snap of the fingers to me. Hope you are well and working
Malcolm Edinburgh Just wanted to let you know how much I've enjoyed reading Cal. I'm in the process of becoming a primary teacher, and in order to get on a PGDE course need to make up for not doing English Lit back in the day (1989!!!). It's the first time I've critically read a book, and in re-reading and analysing Cal I'm amazed at just how much more there is in the novel than first meets the eye. As a story I loved it on the first read, so much so that I was guilty of glossing over so many subtle touches in my eagerness to find out where Cal’s story took him. I can't speak for your motivation in writing the book, but it has definitely opened my eyes to the reality of life for many Catholics living in Northern Ireland in the '70s and beyond. Your book inspired me to gain a much deeper understanding of the Troubles and the centuries of history that preceded them. It has been an absolute pleasure to read and study. Thank you. Sun, 1 May , 2016
It's kind of you to take the time to write such things about Cal. Thank you. Good luck with getting into the primary teaching. I too became a mature student in the 70's and went on to teach secondary school. Gruelling enjoyment.
michele josephine mclaverty scotland Looking for family I've been an orphan since 1970 Sun, 24 Apr , 2016
Anne janowiak Portadown Liked your books and films. I have returned from USA and just wanted to say hi. I worked with you and Anne back in the late 60,s and remember the craic. Hope you and family are keeping well. Anne ( nee. Nevin) Mon, 22 Feb , 2016
Louis Arata Chicago, IL Dear Mr MacLaverty, Last night I picked up Grace Notes, which I read when it first came out, and I was immediately pulled in again. I currently work in a Community Music program which offers lessons to children and adults, and seeing how music is so important to each of them makes me want to share your novel with all the students. Mon, 18 Jan , 2016
Good to hear from you. And good to hear that you are involving students in the world of Grace Notes. I have another short story 'My Dear Palestrina', which is set in a world where music is important. Perhaps you might like to read that? It was first published in a collection 'A Time to Dance', then later in my 'Collected Stories' ( Vintage). Good luck with whatever you do. Bernard
Laurie Lico Albanese Stonecoast in Ireland / Montclair, NJ Hello Bernard, thank you so very much for your wonderful reading at Stonecoast in Ireland. We loved having your charming self among us. Hearing your charming self read The Clinic aloud was a great treat and honor. Sat, 9 Jan , 2016
Laurie, It was good to be there in the January sunshine of Howth eating and drinking and talking - however meanderingly. Bernard
Jack Shea Rumson, New Jersey Mr. MacLaverty: We have been teaching your novel Cal for a number of years now, and the text has always been well-received by the students. The novel, along with Ariel Dorfman's play Death and the Maiden, have been targeted by a community member for potential removal from our curriculum because of language and issues related to the depiction of sex. The individual set up an on-line petition which resulted in an opposing on-line petition. The comments in both petitions have been interesting to follow. http://www.ipetitions.com/pet ition/rfh-mandatory-reading-assignments http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/pe titioning-the-rfh-reading-assignments-pe tition If you wish to learn more about the situation, please reach out to me. Slán agat! Thu, 24 Sep , 2015
Bernadette matthews London Dear mr mcLaverty This is a very belated thak you for your encouragement and support of a group of aspiring writers in Ireland many years ago. It is also to say I hope you are keeping very well and stay keeping that way Sun, 6 Sep , 2015
Jim Mulligan Aberdour, Fife Hi Bernard, Thanks for the reply about your readings - we could be persuaded to head to Ireland if we had enough notice of your schedule. We were once on the tandem (1995?)when we were startled to see you in a small Irish town - as we cycled by we both had a double take! At the Edinburgh Book Festival the next year you confirmed our sighting and said that you were checking out some family history - we just cannot remember the town. Best wishes, Jim Mon, 2 Mar , 2015