However, those characteristics are depicted with a critical lens.
From food to music, pastimes, and sports, every aspect of their existence is shown as regressive.
Imagine, if you will, what the reaction would be if this was written about an Indian family.
They eat curry every day.
They only like other Indians.
They wont let us talk to Catholics.
They only let us watchBollywood.
We can only play the sitar.
Thered be an immediate uproar, she states.
Their existence is shown as the correct way to be.
The parents are open-minded, allowing their kids to pursue whatever path they choose in life.
They are also volunteers and fundraisers for charitable causes.
While those characteristics are positive, its the sharp contrast between the two depicted groups that critics believe isdisingenuous.
Critics also point to thelack of nuancewhen describing certain life choices.
The idea of a family working on a business together for generations is vilified.
Its a cheap and sneering effort.
Its a good and healthy thing now apparently to ask the whole class to critique someones family.
I totally understand why education is needed to ward off racism, quash ignorance and promote inclusion.
Does this reek of perpetuating a negative Irish stereotype or am I just getting defensive?
asked one user onReddit.
I know who I am and where I come from.
No one will tell me to be ashamed of my upbringing, wrote one user on Facebook.
I wouldnt like to be part of either family.
They read like the ridiculous parodies that they are, stated one commenter.
This is not just a racist but xenophobic, caricature of a traditional Irish family, one commented.
Shocking Netizens were left in disbelief by the portrayal of the rural family in the childrens book
