Camarade
ABOUT
THE BOOK
In this masterful, philosophical thriller, one violent act echoes across four decades. An Irish exile in Paris begins writing his memoir, forcing him to confront the night he shot a policeman and fled to France. Against the backdrop of the Algerian Crisis and May ’68, this haunting meditation on identity, violence and fate asks: do our actions shape us, or are we already who we’re meant to be? A sophisticated literary thriller that will keep you thinking long after the final page.
NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS
In 2024, Theo Dorgan’s poetry book Once was a Boy featured as our One City One Book title and was the most borrowed title from Cork City Libraries that year. Theo’s writing is a firm favourite with Cork readers, and his new novel, with its richness, depth and distinctive voice does not disappoint. Camarade is a striking and deeply reflective novel that navigates timeless themes such as belonging, camaraderie, and the interplay between personal identity and collective experience. Dorgan offers a compelling narrative through the reflections of Joseph, a 70-year-old Cork man living in Paris, as he revisits his past and questions the shaping of his sense of self. Spanning a century of change, it is a work of great ambition, tackling perennial themes with perceptive insight. Dorgan’s thoughtful exploration of history, friendship, and the human condition makes Camarade a distinguished and enlightening read worthy of recognition. (Cork City Libraries)