62 pages • 2 hours read
Patrick Radden KeefeSay Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2018A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe explores the Irish “Troubles,” focusing on the murder of Jean McConville, a widowed mother of 10 abducted and killed by the IRA in 1972. Keefe delves into the socio-political complexities, cultural silence, and human memory inaccuracies, contextualizing McConville's case within the broader conflict. Keefe investigates various episodes of violence, prominent IRA and British figures, the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, and the lingering aftermath for those involved. The book suggests the complexities of historical truth and moral responsibility. The narrative includes acts of abduction, secret killings, abuse, trauma, addiction, and mental health struggles.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Patrick Radden Keefe's Say Nothing garners widespread praise for its meticulous research and compelling narrative on the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Reviewers commend its gripping storytelling and depth of insight. Some note a dense amount of detail may overwhelm casual readers, but overall, it is regarded as a masterful blend of history and true crime.
Who Should Read Say Nothing?
Readers who appreciate in-depth investigative reporting and true crime, similar to Michelle McNamara's I'll Be Gone in the Dark or Ronan Farrow's Catch and Kill, will find Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe compelling. It's ideal for those interested in political history, particularly the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Crime / Legal
History: European
Military / War
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Irish Literature