Ok, odd topic, but - Brian Keenan...

[littlelamb]

I am reading his memoir 'An Evil Cradling' for a class next week, and I am just really struck by it, but it is before my time and I suppose the only thing I can compare it to is the terrible situation last year with Ken Bigley. All I really want to ask is, what are your memories of that time? Was it a big news story?And how did the media react to his capture and release? Also, what was going on in the world at that time, the book makes the global situation seem very volatile indeed. Previous to reading this, I hadn't heard of him, but I assume thats because I'm only 22. And if anyone hasn't read the book, I highly recommend it, it's an amazing read.

oops

Waite 18/11/91

Did he know Keenan had gone though? They were hauled back and forth, weren't they (gagged and bound in those coffin things underneath cars, it gives me claustrophobia just thinking about it) to different places so he may not have known.

I'm sure I saw a programme not long ago where McCarthy returned to Beirut.
Also had Waite speaking at a dinner I went to last year - he was talking about a charity for the homeless.

Gosh I do remember this all so well and have read all the books.

I felt so sorry for McCartney's girl friend who had campaigned so long and hard for him and then it just didn;t work out!

Terry Waite lives in Blackheath and is a familiar face in teh village I think he fared better than the others because of his faith.

I think Keenan was the most affected of them - was it him whose mother died while he was imprisoned?

I do remeber Keenan's mother died, his boo was the best. i AM NOW GOING TO RE-READ IT. it was a hugely momentous episode....I remeber going to the cinema and there being a huge advert about them all. didn't John go on a Rounnd the uk sail after?

Did Jill Morrell meet anyone else though? Always thought having to stay faithful whilst/because in public eye must have been tough

It was huge at the time. I remember it very well because my dp ran the John McCarthy campaign (I was on the tube when the news of his release came through; they announced it over the tannoys). I have also been out drinking with Brian Keenan (claim to fame!) and he is definitely the better/more interesting writer. McCarthy has done lots of work with the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture. They are both very nice guys.

How many claims to fame Hester?? Was your DP a friend of McCarthy's, or just in campaigning line of work?

Line of work, having 'done' Mandela. Oh, I used to be very glamorous, you know..

What an interesting thread. I read both books with great interest and agree with most people that Keenan's book was better.

As for the original question - McCarthy attracted more media interest than Keenan because of his girlfriend Jill Morrell's campaigning.

He may be in the limelight now but while I'm interested I'm more interested in what's happened to Morrell. Anyone know?

I keep remembering things I loved about the book - the love between the two men is quite apparent in both Keenan's and McCarthy's books. Such a lifesaver I would think - can you imagine being stuck against your will for years on ened with someone you couldn't stand? (as I recall all the hostages found poor Terry Waite a bit wearing..)

I don't feel too sorry for Jill Morrell - I think she campaigned for him as a friend rather than as a girlfriend and she always said she had no expectations of what would happen when John was released - she had enough sense to realise the John who came out might be quite a different person to the one who was taken. I think she must feel great pride for her part in his release, she was very successful in keeping the hostages in the public eye and so keeping the pressure on for their release.

I was so 'into' the stories of the hostages, as a passionate 13 year old. Have got the BK book, the TW one, JMc and also Terry Anderson. They're all so interesting. The political undercurrents are interesting too - the whole American Arms deal and how that affected the hostages and their relationships with the captors. Also the human-ness of the captors - you tend to think of them as monsters, but they actually built relationships with the hostages, and they were just fulfilling orders.

Our church was Terry's parish church and we nearly rang the bell off the steeple when he was released. We had only just moved to the area so I cannot say I knew him then or now - he's in Cambridge quite a lot these days Soapbox!
I remember it all very well as I was in my late 20s and much affected by their stories on their releases.
I think all of the books are of interest and unusually for a major news story, all the protagonists emerge with great credit. John and Jill handled their break-up with dignity. Brian Keenan married too, I believe - I'd love to know that Jill found personal happiness as well.
Agree that Brian Keenan's book was a far more rewarding, deeper read - but I think in fairness they were commissioned for different markets and promoted very differently. John McCarthy has gone on to do some excellent TV journalism on the Holy Land and the troubles there IMO.

Just got the film "blind Flight" out on lovefilm. Its really good and is entirely about the time in capture.You must see it. Keenan and Mccarthy went on a south american journey together after release, it was something they fantasiezed about and wrote a book about the trip. Dh read it and said it was affecting (cant remember the name of the book sorry).Was listening to an old track by the Christians LP Colours( group from the 90s, do you remember them?) and one of the tracks is all about John Mccarthy keeping himself together and everyone else eg Jill M ,keeping hope alive for him.

my parnets heard John swoon mccartyh talk abotut eh victims of torture thing
s aid he was great

was agreeing that they found terry waite a pita

I'll never forget seeing John McCarthy's release. It still brings tears to my eyes. And I really admire Jill Morrell, I think she's an amazing woman. I remember how much she campaigned and fought, right from the early days when no-one was interested. They all seem like such decent and good-hearted people.

I am now going to order Brian Keenan's book from amazon!

John McCarthy's little baby Lydia was born prematurely and spent some time in SCBU. I do not think she is home from hospital yet but is doing well. His wife, Anna, is an excellent photographer.
I would urge anyone looking for a charity to support to look at The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture. They are incredible.

Brian Keenan has 2 more books, one about Carolan a blind harp- player who is quite famous in Ireland, and one about the Arctic which I think is called Four Quarters of the Light. His sisters campaigned through the Irish Dept. of Foreign Affairs, the British hostages were atthe mercy of a 'softly softly' approach. I think Jill Morrell after a couple of years asked to be known as a 'friend' of John McCarthy, but we still all hoped for a romance! (Like Torville & Dean the skaters). Also Terry Waite received a postcard from Bedford while still a hostage - I couldn't have made up such an odd fact?

The Bedford thing makes perfect sense - John Bunyan wrote Pilgrim's Progress while in prison there! (Was the postcard of John Bunyan? I vaguely recall hearing about it too it does sound mad though - how was it addressed? "Terry Waite, hostage, Lebanon"?)

ok am t i the only one who foudn hosatges attractive?

here it is!

cod, hostages as a type??? You are very weird you know.