Bolger’s latest novel is a gripping read. But it is more than a novel – it is based on the true life story of Sheila Goold Verschoyle (Eva in the novel). The book is of particular interest to Bahá'ís because of Sheila’s association with Joan and Thomas Fforde (Ffrench in the novel). The Ffordes were well known for their Bahá'í beliefs and these come through in the novel with references to Bahá'u’lláh and Abdu’l-Bahá. Joan’s maiden name was Waring and she was brought up in the family home in Waringstown. The novel contains a reference to her family background.
The novel opens in 1915 in Dunkineely, between Donegal town and Killybegs, as the Goold Verschoyles prepare to travel two miles up the road to Bruckless House, the home of the Ffordes, for a picnic. The Family on Paradise Pier follows the extraordinary journeys of Sheila’s family through the Irish War of Independence, the General Strike in Britain, communist Moscow, the Spanish Civil War and on to the Soviet gulag, Irishi Internment camps and London during the Blitz. The Goold Verschoyle children are born into a Protestant family in Dunkineely Manor, a house filled with fun, fervent debate and fascinating guests. But the world of picnics and childish infatuations is soon under threat as political changes within Ireland and the wider world encroach upon their private paradise.
Bolger’s research on the Bahá'í aspects of the story is impressive. Reference is made to Joan’s travel to London to see ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (though in reality it has not yet been confirmed that Joan Waring was the “Belfast lady” described by Ahmad Sohrab). Bolger gives an interesting, if somewhat imaginative, interpretation of Joan’s response to the Master’s exortation: “You must become the cause of the illumination of Ireland… you must ignite four thousand lamps in one year…” He describes accurately Joan’s correspondence with Bahá'ís in America and her inspiration to organise Bahá'í children’s parties on the lawn in front of the house. Bolger portrays Thomas Fforde as being a communist whereas Joan is portrayed as being highly motivated by the Bahá'í teachings. Thomas Fforde’s death is also accurately described as he cycled home after hearing Eamon de Valera speak at a public meeting in Donegal town.
For many Bahá'ís Thomas Fforde’s association with communism will make uncomfortable reading especially since we are well aware of the Guardian’s writing on the subject:
“The chief idols in the desecrated temple of mankind are none other than the triple gods of Nationalism, Racialism and Communism, at whose altars governments and peoples, whether democratic or totalitarian, at peace or at war, of the East or of the West, Christian or Islamic, are, in various forms and in different degrees, now worshiping.” (Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day is Come, p. 113)
While this novel cannot be used to provide an accurate historical account of the period it does give a very good picture of the major forces that were influencing families like the Ffordes as they attempted to incorporate Bahá'í teachings into their lives.
EG
(This book was published in hardback in 2005; the paperback edition came out this year and is selling very well.)
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