Former Meath and Cavan librarian to launch book on Thursday

Josephine Brady never expected to be dealing with cancer shortly after turning 50. But that’s the challenge she faced in 2014 when she was diagnosed with the incurable blood cancer, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL).

Life changed utterly for the Cavan native who lived in Meath for 30 years, as she faced into her health battles.

An avid reader since childhood, Josephine naturally sought solace in literature to help her come to terms with her new reality.

Now the former Cavan County Librarian, who held that post for 24 years and was a librarian in Navan for six years, has published an anthology of writing on cancer, which features pieces from some of the world's greatest writers from Nobel prize-winners to writers virtually unknown here in Ireland.

Among those whose work is featured is the late Edna O'Brien. "I wrote to her in February, not realising she was dying and she wrote back saying of course I could use her work in my book."

Josephine, who lived in Kells for almost 30 years, reluctantly retired in September 2014 from her role as County Librarian in Cavan.

Josephine now lives in Dublin with her husband, Paul Lennon.

After her diagnosis, she underwent chemoimmunotherapy at Beaumont Hospital. Since then, she has lived with CLL but not allowed it to dictate her life.

She explains that on the day she was diagnosed she had a piece of a poem in her head on how to deal with it.

"I looked for a book, but I couldn't find a book with good writing on cancer in it, so I decided to do it myself.

"It prompted me to research and write the book I longed to read but could not find.”

“Readers grappling with cancer – patients, survivors, loved ones and caregivers - reach for language and story that will enable them to endure suffering, find meaning and recover hope,” says Josephine. “The challenge is finding the finest writing quickly and easily. No treasury of essential reading nor introductory guide exists. That is, until now.”

“The Breath of Consolation is an anthology, a compendium, a treasure chest and a reader’s companion. It honours fifty literary treasures from three centuries, six continents and thirteen countries. "Memoirs, novels, poetry, short stories, and creative non-fiction feature. This is literature with both strength and purpose. With these literary companions by our side, we can deal with the heartache, challenges and losses that cancer brings. We can rediscover the joy of living in the time given to us to the fullest extent possible.”

Josephine says it was clear from the start that certain books had to feature. "The inclusion of Tolstoy’s 'The Death of Ivan Ilyich' and Tillie Olsen’s 'Tell Me a Riddle' was never in question."

Writers that Josephine has long admired, and who have written profoundly moving works about cancer, appear including Pat Barker, Helen Dunmore, Alice Munro and Elizabeth Strout.

Seven Irish authors – Jennifer Johnston, John McGahern, Lia Mills, Elaine Feeney, Ciaran Carson, Mary Costello and CS Lewis – feature.

Noel prizewinning author JM Coetzee is also among those included.

A deeply satisfying aspect for Josephine was including poets, novelists and memoirists from across the world who are virtually unknown here in Ireland, including the Australian poet, Philip Hodgins who died at the age of 36 in the 1990s.

Marginalised voices speak loudly in her choice of works and there is also a near-perfect gender balance.

Josephine’s book has generated hugely positive responses from writers and medical professionals alike.

Niall MacMonagle, educator, anthologist and cultural commentator sees her book as “offering important and valuable signposts, leading us towards the finest writing about cancer. Her in-depth analyses are not only knowledgeable and clear-sighted but enriching, re-affirming and hopeful.”

Martina Devlin, author and journalist writes: “Grace, wisdom and solace can be found between these pages. Josephine has taken something devastating and transformed it into beauty with these lovingly plaited extracts and her observations on them.”

John Quinn, Author and Broadcaster loves her work, stating that it is “Full of wit, wisdom, honesty, courage and heart.”

Dr Amanda Kracen, Psychologist and President of IPSON, urges patients, survivors and caregivers to dive into Josephine’s book to “significantly enhance their well-being and resilience”.

The writer, Brian Keenan will launch Josephine's book at the Arts Centre in Virginia on Thursday (12th September) from 7.30pm.

Dr Amanda Kracen will address the psychological challenges that cancer brings to the lives of patients, survivors, loved ones and caregivers.

Local actors will read poems and excerpts from the writers who feature in Josephine’s book.

Refreshments, music and chat - before and after the formal part of the evening - guarantee a great evening’s entertainment for all.

The event is free but must be booked in advance.