Malahide man and author Cecil Allen has many strings to his bow, having been a broadcaster with RTÉ for 20 years, along with years working as a professional actor who performed at many Dublin venues including the Gate and Olympia Theatres.
Already with two popular novels under his belt, ‘The Actor’ and ‘Constructing Alice’, Cecil will launch his third book, ‘The Avenue’ at home, so to speak – that is, at Malahide Library on Wednesday, October 5.
Set in 1950, World War II is over, food rationing is almost gone and the word ‘teenager’ has just been invented. There are 19 identical yellow-brick terraced houses on one side of the Avenue and 20 on the other, yet each house is a world of its own and as different from the next as the people who live in them.
“The people of the Avenue include a woman who defies convention” writes Cecil. “A man confronts a despotic clergyman, an inquisitive woman who never leaves her bed, a long-lost father, a woman with a disturbing secret and a man with an empty box of chocolates.”
Cecil delves into the day-to-day living of the residents and tells their tales with insight and humour.
A retired college lecturer from Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), The Avenue covers aspects of growing up in 1950s post war era, along with religion, marriage, emigration, mental health, widowhood and old age!
The father of two sons, Cecil lives in Malahide with his wife Julie and has twice represented Ireland at International Toastmasters Competitions.
Drop into Malahide Library on Wednesday, October 5 at 6pm – all welcome to attend and get your signed copy of The Avenue.
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