Of Cows, Rogues, Sex, and Angel Dust

[When the Dust Settles. Broomfield, Arthur. Ballyfin: International University Press. 1993. 144 pages. Genre: fiction. ISBN: 1-873169-20-5]

Mr. Broomfield, known far and wide as a "controversial individualist" and "subversive poet," uses his poetic license in an age of oppressive political correctness, to castrate the Department of Rural Development with vicious comedic force.

The first paragraph of Broomfield's book is an opening salvo of hilarious humor, which goes quickly into hyperdrive, resulting in an explosively comedic hot mess at the end of the book. Mr. Sean Scally, a veterinarian, is being interviewed by a local radio station:

A strong statement from Mr. Sean Scally of the National Veterinary Organization in today's Independent will worry you mothers of teenage daughters out there. But hold on, we'll be talking live to Mr. Scally after our first break. WILL HORMONE TREATED MEAT REALLY CAUSE TEENAGE GIRLS TO GO SEX WILD?

The gist of the story is this: A group called "Van Men" or "Cowboys" drive about Ireland forcing cattle ranchers to implant hormones into the cow's ear just before slaughter. The drug, Estradiol, also known as "Angel Dust" among the cattlemen, if given to a young heifer causes the cow to be driven mad "bullin' and mountin.'" It will allegedly do the same to young girls. Mr. Sean Scally makes it his life mission using Stalin-like efforts to suppress the drug. He claims that if sexually inclined young girls eat this meat, there will be nothing but unwanted pregnancies and abortions. By the time the reader turns the last page they will soon realize they are in possession of a Rabelaisian farce of the first magnitude.

The story is littered with a gallery of colorful rogues, with names like Rattlesnake Pascal, Declan Windbag, Kneecaps, and Sergeant Prick, all of them being memorable. From the inside dust jacket the publisher proclaims:

An outrageously funny novel. Mr. Broomfield's challenge to post-nationalist Ireland's rush to respectability is sure to cause controversy. Writing contemporary fiction in a country 'touchy' about its present implies risk. But he also takes risks with form, with style and with language itself. His bold independent spirit and inspired imagination will amuse or enrage but never bore you.

The formatting of the book is unusual to say the least. To begin with, there are no formal chapter headings - the book reads like a series of dispatches from a reporter on the scene. And there is lots of nuanced humor along the way that may be difficult for the American reader to comprehend. The author was indeed successful, in this reviewers mind, with the experimental language and format.

If you are partial to stories filled to the brim with sex addiction, extra-marital affairs, paired with government corruption at every level. well then, this book is for you. I give it 5 solid stars on experimental format, colorful characters and storyline. Recommended to all who appreciate a well-written potboiler with veiled japs at Christianity and Irish politics.

About the Author: Dr. Broomfield currently lives in County Laois, Ireland. He is a poet and has been short-listed for the 1990 Hennessy/Sunday Tribune Literary award. His poems have appeared in the Sunday Tribune, Fortnight, Poetry Ireland, Salmon, The Honest Ulsterman and many other publications. He has read his poetry on R.T.E.1 Arts Show. This was his first and only novel. This past year he released his newest poetry collection called Ireland Calling.