Sheila Armstrong's 'The Red Mouth' Explores Irish Deep Time

Sheila Armstrong's novel, "The Red Mouth," was released this week, offering a profound exploration of Ireland's deep time through the lens of bog discoveries. The narrative centers on two significant finds: the "monstrous, bog-black antler" of a great Irish elk and the mutilated body of a girl identified as Belroe Woman. These discoveries serve as a catalyst, weaving together the intersecting lives of four characters who are haunted, both literally and figuratively, by these excavations and the mysterious landscape from which they emerged.

Bogs, which cover nearly 14% of Ireland, are presented as repositories of ancient history, their layers compacted into a dark turf. The novel draws parallels to the work of Seamus Heaney, who found inspiration in the otherworldly beauty of bogs and the perfectly preserved bodies discovered within their depths. Armstrong's prose is described as exquisite, lending a meditative quality to the tale.

The book delves into the uncanny nature of the bog landscape and its ability to preserve and reveal remnants of the past. The characters' lives become intertwined with the mysteries unearthed, prompting reflections on history, memory, and the enduring presence of the past within the present. The novel's structure allows for a layered examination of how these ancient discoveries impact contemporary lives.

"The Red Mouth" is Armstrong's second novel, following her earlier critically acclaimed works. The book has been praised for its profound exploration of themes related to deep time and the enduring connection between the land and its inhabitants. The narrative invites readers to contemplate the vastness of history contained within the Irish landscape.