A little cloud by John Kelly, a short story from Dubliners 100
This is a strange one to review. I really like John Kelly’s style and his humour. He writes very observational stuff and this strength helps cement this story as a worthy version of Joyce’s A little cloud.
The small thing, and it is a small thing is that Kelly takes Joyce’s story and simply changes certain details. He makes Gallaher into an author and Chandler’s daughter into a teenager and his wife into a deplorable person. These were clever adjustments as Joyce reflected on Dublin society and what a mess it was, especially the pitiful life of Chandler.
However, the story is copied and pasted, almost word for word in many areas and the story arc is totally copied. Again, Kelly was probably making a point in that Ireland hadn’t really changed that much and that Joyce’s universal vision of melancholy of the routine of life is still there and will remain there.
A good take.
A little cloud written by John Kelly is published in Dubliners 100 by Tramp Press
There was another version of A LITTLE CLOUD I’m trying to find other than JohnDoyle’s story in which the roles of LITTLE CHANDLER & GALLAGHER are reversed & CHANDLER IS THE ONE WHO IS THE SUCCESSFUL ONE & happily married & GALLAGHER is the unlucky one !! I can’t find this Story so any help in solving this would be sincerely appreciated ..Thanks