The second novel by Irish writer John McGahern shines a light into Ireland's unsavoury past that many might prefer to keep hidden. The Dark was widely acclaimed yet unsurprisingly banned by the Irish state censor for obscenity. The author's unusual writing style might have puzzled some readers as well, since the central character is referred to as You, He, They, or I at various points in the narrative. Yet The Dark remains a sensitive, perceptive, and beautifully written portrayal of a young man's difficult rise from adolescence to adulthood.
