The novel Carn, by Patrick McCabe, is a thought-provoking tale of people from a town in The town, Carn, goes through economic failure, complete industrialization and commercialrevival, back to total desolation. As the town changes, so do the main characters, Josie Keenan andSadie Rooney. Although they do not know each other at the beginning of the novel, after theindulstrialization of the town, their lives eventually intersect. All they want from life is to lead normallives -- outside of Carn. Even though Carn is now an industrial town, it holds bad memories and asense of imprisonment for Josie and Sadie. Both their lives become tied to the town of Carn. Sadieplans to move to England, but when she becomes pregnant she must stay in Carn and raise a family. A lack of options forces Josie to remain in Carn, the only home she knows. Eventually, Josie'sdestructive lifestyle and the political conflicts between England and Ireland result in tragedy for bothcharacters. McCabe does an excellent job at developing the characters of Josie, Sadie, and thetown of Carn itself. He shows the futility of their hopes, which ultimately results in tragedy anddespair. The reader can relate to the characters, and by the conclusion of the novel, the reader willfeel as if s/he knows the characters personally.Josie Keenan lives a life without hope. The author does a good job of providing insight intoJosie's life by informing the reader of everything that effects Josie from the beginning of her life, rightuntil the end. Living with an abusive father has made Josie believe that no one is good, and everyoneis only looking for what they can gain from others. The only kind words she has ever received arefrom her mother. Even this source of happiness is taken from her though, because her mother dieswhen Josie is young. She moves from an orphanage right into the working world, and into a worldof men. Because she does not have a strong father figure in...
