17 MARTIN STREET A Graphic Novel
Original story by Marilyn Taylor
Adapted by Alan Nolan * Illustrated by Jason Browne
17 MARTIN STREET
A Graphic Novel
Original story by Marilyn Taylor
Adapted by Alan Nolan * Illustrated by Jason Browne
JASON BROWNE is an illustrator at Buttonpress Publications, whose flagship title The Wren is Ireland’s longest-running small press comic book. In a rare moment when Jason isn’t working on The Wren or Buttonpress’s other books in the series – Artos, Thimble and Stoat – he contributes to projects at Image Comics and Dark Horse Comics. Jason has worked at Forbidden Planet since 2006, helping in particular to grow graphic novels for all ages. He lives in Dublin.
ALAN NOLAN was awarded the 2024 Children’s Books Ireland Annual Award for his outstanding contribution to children’s books. He grew up in Windy Arbour, Dublin and now lives in Bray, County Wicklow with his wife and three children. Alan is the author of the Molly Malone and Bram Stoker series. He is also the author and illustrator of Fintan’s Fifteen, Conor’s Caveman and the Sam Hannigan series, and is the illustrator of Animal Crackers: Fantastic Facts About Your Favourite Animals, written by Sarah Webb. Alan runs illustration and writing workshops for children, and you may see him lugging his drawing board and pencils around your school or local library.
www.alannolan.ie
Instagram: @alannolan_author Bluesky: @alnolan.bsky.social
PAUL CARROLL is a writer, comic creator, workshop facilitator and podcaster from Dublin. He has been a recipient of the Agility Award and the Literature Project Award from the Arts Council, and took part in the Evolution Programme with the Irish Writers Centre in 2023. He is a founding member of Limit Break Comics and IrishComics.ie, and worked within Irish fandom as part of Octocon, the National Irish Science Fiction Convention. He is the lettering artist for 17 Martin Street.
From an interview in 2018 with Marilyn Taylor, author of 17 Martin Street
I had always been interested in writing. I had loved English at school; I loved writing essays and compositions – I was good at that sort of thing. I was an avid reader as well. However, it had never occurred to me that writing could be a career.
Once my children grew up and left the house, and I had less to do, I started writing. Irish children then were mostly reading books that had been published in England or in America. I wrote my first novel for teenagers and I sent it to a publisher who had brought out a lot of books for teenagers and children; they turned it down. I sent it to another publisher and it was shortlisted, but then it was turned down again. I thought maybe it wasn’t up to much really; it’s very hard to judge when you have written it yourself. I decided to send it to one last publisher. It would be my third and final try. I sent the manuscript to The O’Brien Press, where it was accepted. That led to a trilogy of romantic fiction books set in Dublin.
I got the idea for 17 Martin Street from an elderly woman. She had come to Ireland from Germany when she was about seventeen. The war had not started yet but the Nazis were in power and the situation in Germany was worsening. After this elderly lady told me her story, I said, ‘Supposing I wrote about it, would you mind?’ She said, ‘No, I don’t mind. It’s an amazing story but just don’t use my name!’
I had written about the Second World War in my previous book – Faraway Home – but only in the context of Northern Ireland. I knew that it had been a whole different experience for those in the Republic of Ireland, because it was not in the war – it remained neutral. I felt that I should also write about what it was like for those in the Republic of Ireland.
By pure chance, 17 Martin Street – the house that I picked for the fictitious Jewish family in the novel – turned out to be the same house that my publisher Michael O’Brien’s mother had been born in. He thought I knew, but I didn’t; it was a complete coincidence!
I had walked up and down that street thinking that I wanted to set the story there. Martin Street is in Portobello in Dublin, and it’s full of very small houses – labourers’ cottages really, with no gardens. That particular street seemed to be as close as possible to how it might have looked at the time. One of the houses was for sale and I was able to go in and see inside. That made a big difference – I could write about the girls going in and running up the stairs, and that sort of thing.
I first wrote in order to tempt teenagers to read. I always thought that if there was some emotion in the story and some feelings, then they would relate to it. When my first book was launched, a parent came up to me and told me that my book was the first book that her child had ever read. I said, ‘Great!’ I was so pleased. That was my hope – that I would encourage children to read.
Marilyn Taylor was born in London and has an economics degree from University College London. She got married and came to Ireland when she was aged twenty. She was a school librarian in a Dublin secondary school for sixteen years and a college librarian. Marilyn has three children and eight grandchildren. She is delighted that her book is now a graphic novel and hopes that it will reach even more young people.
For all refugees, worldwide — A.N.
Being an immigrant is not a burden but a gift that enriches a country. This adaption is for all who find themselves in a new country, a new home. All at the Irish Jewish Museum for insight and guidance. Freya Spier for her wealth of knowledge that helped shape the backdrop to this adaption. The wonderful scribe Alan Nolan who helped me bring this wonderful story to a graphic format. Paul Carroll for his assistance in lettering this story. My husband Gearoid Browne who always pushes me to reach for the stars. Lastly, to Marilyn Taylor for crafting such a wonderful story that inspires humility, decency, virtue, friendship and integrity.
Zay Gezunt! — J.B.
Grand Canal, Portobello, Dublin 1940
At first, there was nothing but coldness.
Couldn’t move.
Couldn’t breathe.
Then there was a sharp tug … A movement upwards.
And that’s how I lost a brother and gained a family.
And
They are so cute, Hetty! Where did they come from?
You can have one, if you like. I don’t mind which.
We
let
Maybe every second day, Eddie –Hetty still has chores to do.
in fact, she has chores to do today. So we’d better say goodbye to you, Eddie.
So that’s how it’s going to be, eh?
Somebody threw them into the canal, can you imagine, Eddie?
Some boy broke the ice and pulled them out.
Well, we will have a new home ourselves from next week.
Eddie, did Hetty tell you we will be moving?
Yes, of course, Uncle
See you, Hetty.
And thank you for the puppy.
Oh. bye then.
One of the pups drowned, but these two survived.
Two refugees, looking for a home.
Cousin Eddie’s House, the Next Day
Yes, Uncle Leon, to Martin Street – that will be very exciting.
closer to our house, too!
Oi! Get off!
can
the pups play together every day!
Leon.
Martin Street, Portobello
Ben! Your dinner’s on the table!
it’ll be sausages – I’d better go in, Smiler. Hold your hosses,
Benny – who’s dat?
it’s Her … the girl from the canal …
Ben! I won’t call you again!
Byrne Household, home of ben, sean, granny, mam and dad – 19 Martin Street
I see another one o’ dem German refugees is on the run around Dublin. A girl this time.
Another Jew on the loose.
Granny, we have new neighbours.
Ah, Darefugees have got to live too.
DEm foreigners should keep out of ireland anyways.
That war is none of our business.
We don’t want it here, an’ we don’t want dem here.
I said keep away from them!
Keep away from them, do you hear me?
But dad, they’re just –
More bloody Jews.
AH, seamus, why do you have to be so hard on the boy?
He’s got to learn – there isn’t enough work for us all here.
Da says they’re jews and I’m not allowed talk to them.
Well, your da’s from the country and he never knew any jews.
But me and your granny were from Lennox street and we were friends with all the jewish neighbours.
they should all go back where they came from …
How’re you, Benny love? Did you get your tea?
Sausages and beans!
*cough*
The jews have always been at the wrong end of things, no matter where they live.
They’ve been shoved out of every country and nazi germany’s just the latest.
Remember though, Benny, they may be a different religion but we’re all from the same roots.
We’re all people.
I’d better rest now, pet.
Mam.
Ah, ben.
Mam, there’s new people moved in next door.
Yes, Mam.
Extracts from Renata stern’s
Lower clanbrassil street, dublin. several days later
C’mon, Benny –on the head!
Oof!
What are you going to do about my window?
He can be our shabbos goy!
Well, someone has to pay for it.
Now, now. I used to play football myself in the shtetl – my village in lithuania.
I know how it can get out of hand.
But it’s only a window that got broken, nobody is hurt.
I will pay you now, but…
… I know this boy, he lives on Martin Street.
I will give him a job and he can work off the cost of the window.
your shabbos what?
17 Martin Street, the next morning
So Zaida – our grandfather – sent you, eh? You’re the new shabbos goy? I … I was told I have to kindle the fire and light the lights every Saturday morning for you because …
Because it’s shabbat, and tradition says we can’t do that sort of thing.
But you can, ’cos you’re not Jewish. it’s him! it’s him!
Come on,
it’s time to go to synagogue.
I’m sure our new shabbos goy can kindle a fire all by himself.
My saviour!
Well, at least mossy likes him.
Hmph.
Mabel.
A few days later, at 17 martin street
He doesn’t like that John McCormack fella at all.
You’d better turn off that old guff before dad gets home.
angelicus fit panis hominum dat panis coelicus figuris terminum o res mirAbilis!
But you and I know it was that boy next door who really saved you.
Rawrff? Don’t worry, Mossy … … I’ll feed you when I’ve tidied up.
Dad thinks you only survived thanks to the Almighty …
panis
Yup.
Hetty! Stop whispering sweet nothings to that dog and listen to my news!
Ugh. is it about a boy again?
Of course!
I think Michael from the shul is going to ask me to the hop next week.
He’s a medical student – he’s so dreamy.
A doctor? I s’pose the half a jar of greasy Brylcreem on his head is for medical purposes?
Oh shush. You’re just jealous because you don’t have a boy in your life.
Apart from the Shabbos goy – and he never speaks!
I have Mossy. And Cousin Eddie, of course.
What other boy would I ever need?
Who’s ready for more potato latkes?
Or should we light the Hanukkah candles first?
Candles first, I think – I’m stuffed!
So, what are the new neighbours like?
There’s a pleasant old couple next door.
But the Byrnes on the other side are a puzzle.
The youngest is our Shabbos goy. he doesn’t say much And the father barely gives us a nod.
I believe the mother’s in hospital, poor woman.
Who left it in?
I sent them in some milky cake this morning.
Mabel gave it to the older boy – Sean, is it?
Why do you care so much, Hetty?
The first night of Hanukkah