Say Nothing
by Patrick Radden Keefe, Ariel Font Prades · first published 2018
90% recommend10% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Narrative nonfiction on the Troubles in Northern Ireland, tracing a 1972 murder and its aftermath through meticulous reporting. Suited to readers who enjoy well-researched true crime and history.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
“Masked intruders dragged Jean McConville, a 38-year-old widow and mother of 10, from her Belfast home in 1972. In this meticulously reported book — as finely paced as a novel — Keefe uses McConville’s murder as a prism to tell the history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Interviewing people on both sides of the conflict, he transforms the tragic damage and waste of the era into a searing, utterly gripping saga.” – New York Times Book Review, Ten Best Books of the Year From award-winning New Yorker staff writer Patrick Radden Keefe, a stunning, intricate narrative about a notorious kill
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What Hacker News says
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…Stories,” by Bryan Washington “Normal People,” by Sally Rooney “The Orphan Master’s Son,” by Adam Johnson “The Yellow House,” by Sarah M. Broom (National Book Award winner, nonfiction) “Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland,” by Patrick Radden Keefe “Solitary,” by Albert Woodfox “The Topeka School,” by Ben Lerner “Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion,”…
on “Obama lists his favorite books of 2019” ↗- Shoedog by Phil Knight - Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe - How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan - Deep Work by Cal Newport
on “Ask HN: Best books you've read in 2019?” ↗…https://www.worldcat.org/title/orphan-masters-son-a-novel/oc... 11. The Yellow House, by Sarah M. Broom (National Book Award winner, nonfiction) https://www.worldcat.org/title/yellow-house/oclc/1122461200 12. Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, by Patrick Radden Keefe https://www.worldcat.org/title/say-nothing-a-true-story-of-m... 13. Solitary, by Albert Woodfox https://www.worldcat.org/title/solitary/oclc/1105720325…
on “Obama lists his favorite books of 2019” ↗+1 for Say Nothing, Radden Keefe is one of the best non-fiction writers around today imo. Been meaning to read his latest on the Sacklers for a while also.
on “Ask HN: Best books read in 2022” ↗…by Richard Cockett - https://papertrail.biblish.com/books/c0e1d1fb-dea7-456b-a95e... The House That Madigan Built by Ray Long (an interesting history of a legendary figure in Illinois state politics) Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
on “Ask HN: What were the best books you read this year?” ↗…remind the reader of the technical challenges programmers faced, as well as the much less money-focused nature of video games as an industry. (I have way more to say on this, but will resist the urge.) "Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland" by Patrick Radden Keefe Gives a, in my opinion, very accurate account of both "sides" of the issue regarding The Troubles. It brought up a massive…
on “Ask HN: Best books read in 2022” ↗I discovered Patrick Radden Keefe's writing this past year, and loved his writing style enough to immediately pick up a second of his books. Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty I've also been listening to a lot of audiobooks and was really impressed by Rosamund…
on “Ask HN: What is the best thing you read in 2022?” ↗Neither are on-brand for hacker news but: [Best fiction] Stoner - John Williams [Best non-fiction] Say Nothing - Patrick Radden Keefe
on “Ask HN: What did you read in 2025?” ↗skipped the byline and halfway through realized the voice felt familiar. if you like this and are unfamiliar with Radden Keefe then check out The Snakehead and Say Nothing. im sure everything he writes is great but can personally recommend those
on “New Orleans's Car-Crash Conspiracy” ↗…the pressing relevance of our foundational principles. It’s a hefty tome of about 800 pages, so I still have a ways to go. Next up are two books which have been featured in several end of year lists: Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe and Exhalation by Ted Chiang. Reading aloud with my 10 year old daughter: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (Penguin’s 150th…
on “Ask HN: What book(s) had the most impact for you in 2019?” ↗