In “A Cold Eye”, renowned author Carlo Gébler vividly recounts his life experiences by way of diary entries, akin to a memoir. He nostalgically retells the occurrences of January 7th, 1991, when he and his loved ones embarked on a journey from London to their home near Enniskillen, traversing from Holyhead and through the ferry to Ireland.
Travelling this route was always exhausting, but the most daunting bit was trying to cross into Fermanagh from Cavan amid the winter gloom. As they neared the conclusion of their journey, a looming sense of apprehension set in. Gébler refers to the border crossing as a disputed area fraught with potential danger; while they had been fortunate so far, there was always the underlying realisation that matters could take a turn for the worse there.
However, upon reaching the first border checkpoint, which was supposed to be open, they were met with shut gates. They subsequently rerouted to Clones, only to be greeted with closed gates once again and a somewhat irritable note. Reflecting upon that night in County Cavan, Gébler acknowledges it as a symbol of national failure, a failure for which the primary responsibility rests with a country that should have been more prepared.
“A Cold Eye” is a collection of these chronicles, spanning a period of 35 years, with one entry chosen annually. Gébler acknowledges his inspiration drawn from Christa Wolf, a German author, who documented her life journey through the publication of her diary entries over 51 years. He shares similarities with Wolf, exhibiting a strong emotional connection to his surroundings and an acute awareness of the profound impact of society and ideology on individuals and communities alike. Committed to continuous self-scrutiny, he recognises it as an integral part of being a writer.
The precise format of the book effectively serves both its content and audience, allowing for a spectrum of perspectives – from broad overviews spanning years, to societal and cultural insights, and even intimate glimpses into memorable moments. Do you recall where you were on the fatal day of September 11th, 2001 when the World Trade Centre in New York was attacked? Gébler was isolated in his writing den, with no access to radio or television. He was tardy to an incident reminiscent of the Kennedy assassination, and served to unite those monitoring the situation.
Have you ever observed the distinctive customs related to funereal practices between England and Ireland? Gébler attended an Irish wake in Fermanagh on December 17th, 2006, where he paid his condolences to the bereaved family and seethed with rage towards the medical errors that undoubtedly triggered her premature demise. Two years thereafter, on October 9th, 2008, he was present at an Irish funeral Mass in Essex, and was keenly aware of how the observance impacted the varying groups present. One such group comprised solely of himself- Gébler. While he decries Catholicism, he admits to partaking in the communion, he also acknowledges the significance of the service for the mourners – its ability to make a difficult situation more tolerable.
For many years, Gébler has been a sharp commentator on events in Northern Ireland, a role he has held within the Northern Ireland prison service as a resident writer. This role provided him significant understanding of the differing ideologies and sentiments among the republicans and loyalists. An entry dated May 22nd, 1998, when the referendums on the Belfast Agreement commenced, encompasses these valuable insights and delves into their impact on Gébler. Voting in favor implied sanctioning early release for prisoners; an idea instilled in the author by the inmates. Reflecting on his contribution to this shift, he remarks on his questioning by the inmates, “Why do you believe you’re here assisting us in writing?” They inform him that he is there because the British state tacitly agreed to the idea of an early release. In understanding this, both inmates and Gébler himself plan for what lies ahead, with him voting in favor, completely comprehending his participation in the process.
Neil Hegarty is a renowned writer and critic, known for his most recent work, ‘The Jewel’. It is essential to have knowledge, including personal knowledge, in our lives, as these elements drive a writer’s life. Echoing the sentiments of Carlo Gébler, we can only work with what destiny provides us.