Ferenji – stories from the field

By Helena Mulkerns

ISBN: 978-1-9162975-8-6  /  155pp

Smart, nuanced, provocative and so well written…   Colum McCann
Engaging and highly readable collection…   Sarah Gilmartin, Irish Times
Finely written and astutely observed…   Dermot Bolger

The revised 2nd edition of the Book Awards-shortlisted title  is a themed short fiction collection about civilians in conflict and post-conflict zones. From ancient Arabic, the term Ferenji  means ‘foreigners’ and exists today in countries from Ethiopia to Vietnam. Ferenji depicts life in the field with pathos, dark field humour and satire, lending a passionate civilian voice to the new genre of contemporary post-conflict literature.

In ‘A Child Called Peace’, two young Irish peacekeepers find a child dying in a minefield. In ‘Blood and Bone’ a war photographer is haunted by the image of a refugee. “Dogs” explores how sexism can go beyond culture and borders. The title story, ‘Ferenji’ pits a lone aid worker against a bureaucratic system and ‘Operation Cat Lift’ is an allegory for our times.

The title received extensive positive reviews  on its release, and coverage in The Irish Times,  Hot Press, Arena, The Sunday Times and The Irish Examiner. In 2022, the theme is again topical and this second edition is fully revised.  451 can provide signed copies of the book.  Read the author’s profile here and see more at: www.HelenaMulkerns.com