In fragile boys, fragile men there are six other fictionalized accounts that deal with the descendants of Irish immigrants who have their Canadian roots in Shannon, Quebec, and who settle in the Quebec City area. Even if some of these stories are not so "quiet" and in some instances more dramatic, the desire of the writer is to show how the Irish have blended into the francophone atmosphere of Quebec City. Not all of the stories have satisfactory outcomes, and not all of the characters are exemplary in their approach to life. Yet their family ties are strong, and there is a desire to foster good will and accommodation with their compatriots of the francophone community. The final three stories are contemporary and not attached to the Irish experience, but still very Canadian.

About the Author    My dad was Irish and my mom was French—another one of those mixed marriages. But they appreciated the same things. Of course, my dad said, "It took me twenty years to learn." Harold Griffin´s short story, "The Leaving," won 1st prize in the 2000 Nuacht short story competition, sponsored by the St. Patrick´s Society of Montreal. The selection committee anticipated that Harold Griffin´s story "would have wide audience appeal and capture the experience of many people in the Irish community."