Each chapter of Mackey's innovative novel comprises a set of characters delivering monologues in which they confess, complain, and reminisce. Chris and guest Professor Paul Giles of Australian Catholic University consider how Mackey's characters recreate the patterns of earlier generations even when they venture far from their rural origins in Ballyrowan. Some show their true selves in their inner monologues, but others deceives themselves. A strength of Mackey's structure is that Mouthing is never simplistic about ideas such as spirituality, community, and family - and the book is often very funny.

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The Irish Books Podcast is supported by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Monash University. Produced by East Coast Studio.