I don't normally like books or films that are Love Letters to Daddy (side-eye firmly planted on Infinitely Polar Bear), because they are too commonly making excuses for Daddy's bad behavior. And we don't need any more excuses being made for men behaving badly, either historically or now. But Séamas O'Reilly's "Did Ye Hear Mammy Died?" seems to be about a very rare, actual hero, and worthy of the praise.

I think the basic way that everyone will relate is because he describes the father we all wished we had. Like, we started out idolising Daddy, only to be brought crashing down to reality at some point. And sometimes we caught glimpses of someone else's father being kind and wished ours could be the same (a combination of mistaken observations and foolish, unobtainable dreams).

I wonder if it hits harder for those of us abused and neglected by our fathers, or those grieving for lost father's who they loved (not to imply there is a hierarchy of emotional impact, but I can't help wondering about the similarities of these polar situations).

Whatever about these questions, it is a very funny and a very provocative book (the best things a book can be), and I totally believe the love the author felt (along with super highly developed social intelligence), is what afforded them the security to become so self-assured in what they do. It reaffirms my feeling that I don't believe love is all you need, but it is essential for a life beyond mere survival.