The Pale Gold of Alaska and Other Stories by Éilís ní Dhuibhne
Published by Blackstaff Press, 2000

In these nine subtle, deceptively simple short stories, Ní Dhuibhne demonstrates her breathtaking mastery of an old form she is steadily reshaping to make her own. Dealing with the search for love, with its loss, and with its discovery in surprising places and circumstances, her stories are an extraordinary fusion of tender compassion and unflinching candour.
Set in locations from Alaska to Siena, from New England to the red-light district of between-the-wars Dublin, Éilís Ní Dhuibhne uses language which gives the reader an indelible sense of place.
The title story of this collection, 'The Pale Gold of Alaska' is set in Montana during the goldrush of the late nineteenth century. It was inspired by Mici Mac Gabhann's Rotha Mor an tSaoil, an account of the author's experiences panning for gold in Montana and the Klondyke.

'Each of the nine stories is concerned with love, both in passion and tenderness, and each is a carefully observed vignette of a marriage, a clandestine love affair, the power of parental love. 'The Makers' portrays a daughter's love for her father, a quiet man who used his ability to make things as a means of communicating with his children.
Each of the situations is closely observed by the author from the woman's perspective, the falsity of describing a dying man as "comfortable", the betrayal of Kathleen by her husband and her sister in 'At Sally Gap', the ability of a mother to recognize her distant son just from "the way he carried his body" in 'The Banana Boat'. Each one of the stories, without exception, proves thought provoking and from each it is possible to extract some parallel with one's own experience.' Pauline Ferrie, Irish Emigrant Publications.

'Ms Ní Dhuibhne seems incapable of writing a bad line' Aubrey Dillon-Malone Books Ireland

'Éilís Ní Dhuibhne is a most gifted young Irish writer. In The Pale Gold of Alaska her prose shimmers like poetry' Edna O'Brien

'When is the world going to discover Éilís Ní Dhuibhne?' Des Traynor Books Ireland

Éilís Ní Dhuibhne was born in Dublin. The Dancers Dancing was shortlisted for the Orange Prize. She also writes as Gaeilge and for children under the pseudonym, Elizabeth O'Hara.

By the same author:
The Inland Ice and Other Stories
The Dancers Dancing
The Bray House
Dúnmharú sa Daingean
Milseog an tSamhraidh

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