Book Review: Penality in the Underground: The IRA's Pursuit of Informers by Ron Dudai

Abstract

which is definably torture’ and as possibly ‘enabled by coercive control, marital rights, relative powerlessness between perpetrator(s) and victim/survivor(s), and on structurally violent familial or cultural norms’ (p. 62). Focusing on impact rather than intent, she argues, allows a better understanding torturous violence—redirecting us to reflect on some of the fundamental assumptions. Whether conscious or not, we (scholars, practitioners and survivors of violence) are active in maintaining our frames of reference and operation—wielding symbolic and material power in what and who matters. Canning’s insights are freshly and searingly written—equally for those merely interested and those deeply implicated.