Irish novels
 

One of the ways I've always enjoyed preparing for travel is to read works by the country's authors and/or fiction set in the country. Of course, I always read the travel books and some history, but does anyone have advice about current authors writing good Irish fiction?

Leon Uris, Brendan Behan (not just his plays, but his books on life in Dublin), James Joyce, Frank McCourt. <BR> <BR>Over Nine Waves, by Marie Heaney, is a book of Irish legends. <BR> <BR>The Vintage Book of Contemporary Irish Fiction is an anthology of stories. <BR>

Frank McCourt (Angela's Ashes) is memoir, not fiction. <BR> <BR>Roddy Doyle. On the lighter side, Maeve Binchy spins good contemporary Irish yarns.

Frank Delaney's very good as is Bernard McLaverty

"Celibates and Other Lovers" is a witty, great read about a young man in a small town in Ireland (set after World War II), who is determined to become a priest, despite the efforts of a young lady, who refuses to believe that he would choose the church over her charms. Filled with wonderful dialogue, you'll think you are sitting by a window sill watching all these Irish characters, situations, feuds, and stories hapenning right across from you. Written by Walter Keady, a Hudson Valley (NY) resident these days, I thougt it was pretty good.

Lynn, <BR> <BR>Not a fiction but we liked "Round Ireland with a Fridge" by Tony Hawks... he hitch hikes... it's a fun view of the country and people. Have Fun!

Lynn - <BR> <BR>Agree with most of the above - Roddy Doyle is hysterical. Maeve Binchy is fun/romantic, kind of Daniel Steele-like. <BR>Nora Roberts recently did a trilogy about a family of barowners. Jewels in the Sun (I think that's correct) was my favorite. <BR> <BR>1916 : A Novel of the Irish Rebellion -- by Morgan Llywelyn - This is one of my favorites. Makes history come alive. <BR> <BR>Trilogy by Leon Uris was excellent as well - nice and think for the flight over.

Edna O'Brien is pretty good.

Also try Colin Bateman and Joseph O'Connor (he writes both novels and nonfiction). Both are exceptionally funny. And another vote for Round Ireland with a Fridge, and, of coures, Roddy Doyle. I found "The Van" to be his best book. He really captures the spirit of the Irish people in there. It's the only book I've ever read where I've laughed out loud (the movie's great, too, but I don't think it's available in US format). Also try "Finbar's Hotel" and "Ladies Night at Finbar's Hotel." I've seen at least the former in U.S. bookshops. The books were edited by Dermot (sp?) Bolger (another good Irish author). Each chapter was written by a different Irish author (all men for the first book, and women for the second), but you're never told who wrote what. They are good books, and it's a good way to get to know several different Irish authors. <BR> <BR>I've found Maeve Binchy to be perfect for plane rides. Her books don't tax your mind in the least, and the stories are pleasant and entertaining enough to take you across the Altantic. Of course, I never seem to read her books when I'm off the plane.

The website I work for just did a feature on Irish authors: <BR> <BR>http://www.bookreporter.com/features...edit010316.asp

If you have access to a good library, get The Country Girls trilogy unabridged on tape to hear Edna O'Brien read her work. Her voice is magic. <BR> <BR>William Trevor is wonderful - I believe a movie was made from a recent work of his, Felicia's Journey, 1995. His 2000 novel is The Hill Bachelors. I like the 1970, Mrs. Eckdorf in O'Neill's Hotel. <BR> <BR>Better than current is George Moore, born 1852 - his 1954 short story Albert Nobbs (from Celibate lives) is one of my all time favorites.

It is a rule that everytime I post here, I mess up. Albert Nobbs takes place in the 1860's in Dublin, I don't know when he wrote it, but nothing like 1954. It's a Boy's Don't Cry situation from back in the days women couldn't get work, so widow "Albert" pretends to be a man in order to earn a living.

Not current and not fiction either but if you are travelling to Ireland you might consider reading the poetry of W.B.Yeats.He was born in Dublin but his poetry will forever be associated with County Sligo.He writes about places which you can visit-Knocknarea,Ben Bulbin mountain and Innisfree to name only a few. <BR>I first went to Sligo about twenty years ago and I visited Yeats`s grave "under bare Ben Bulbin`s Head in Drumcliffe Churchyard".There were a few people there,like at the end of a funeral. <BR>Last year I went to Sligo again.I had heard that there was a coffee shop built beside the churchyard and indeed there was.What really amazed me though was that there were 52 cars and 5 buses parked there-a great tribute to the first Irish poet who won the Nobel Prize for Literature. <BR>

Cal <BR>by Bernard MacLaverty <BR>(northern Ireland - very tragic, written very well but VERY tersely)

Not current, but Frank O'Connor, who died in the 1960's was an absolute master of the short story. Also, here's another vote for William Trevor and Edna O'Brien. <BR> <BR>Sorry, I don't really know much about younger contemporary Irish writers, but here's a suggestion: check out the book reviews in the Irish Times (www.ireland.com) or other Irish newspapers online.

James Joyce isn't current, but I can't imagine visiting Ireland without reading at least one book of his. If you're new to Joyce, I'd recommend "Dubliners," which is a collection of short stories that together create an incredibly powerful reading experience. Also, I think the suggestion to read some Yeats is a very good one. <BR> <BR>Note to Ann: "The Van" is available in this country on VHS. Great little movie.

Lynn; <BR>Nora Roberts has set two of her <BR>trilogies in Ireland. <BR>Born in Fire, Born in Ice and Born in Shame <BR>Jewels of the Sun, Tears of the Moon and Heart of the Sea. Enjoy! <BR>

Edmund, I will arise and go now.... and sit alone in the bee-loud glade. Memories of childhood.

All Liam O'Flaherty's novels.

Am also a Binchy fan, particularly "Evening Class," "Tara Road," "The Glass Lake," "Circle of Friends," and "Firefly Summer." <BR> <BR>"Finbar's Hotel" and "Ladies Night at Finbar's" are light, entertaining reading. <BR> <BR>Have read one of the Nora Roberts triologies -- "Born in Fire," "Born in Ice" and "Born in Shame." If you can read "Shame" and NOT be in love with Murphy, you are stronger than I am! Oh, what a man. <BR>

Angel: I agree with your description of Nora Robert's Murphy, wonderful character. And I love Maeve's books too, AC. Ann: Maeve's books are perfect for more than just plane rides, IMHO. Judy :-)

Mary-thanks. Didn't know you could get The Van here. <BR> <BR>Also try Jennifer Johnston. <BR> <BR>When you're in Ireland, head for Waterstone bookstore. They always have a section for Irish writers. While they throw the romance and leprechaun crap in with the good writers, you can sort through yourself and find some great stuff.

Everytime I read a Maeve Binchey book I swear she knows my family - (all Irish born). It cracks me up. All the names and expressions. Its great. A Circle of Friends was the first I read and within 2 pages I was convinced my mother had taken up writing and didn't tell anyone. <BR> <BR>Also would recommend Peig by Peig Sayers, Twenty Year's a Growing by Maurice O'Sullivan. Neither is current but they are classics in Irish language literature (widely available in translation). Both take place on the Blasket Islands off the Dingle Pennisula and tell the story of real struggles to survive on an isolated island. Absolutely beautifully told stories.

<BR>Oh, the characters Nora Roberts creates are amazing! <BR>The Gallaghers from the Jewels trilogy are wonderful. <BR>The Concannons from the "Born" series are diverse and charming. <BR>The male characters are handsome, sexy, warm, compassionate and excellent lovers! Not bad for a bit of fantasy reading. Her other stuff is not bad either! Enjoy!

Could someont tell me what good bookstores are in Cork City? Is there a Waterstones - or some other large bookstore there? My sister will be living outside of Cork and instead of sending her books from the states,I would like to order books for her and have them sent from Cork City rather than all the way from the States. Also,<BR>besides great Irish books, would there be a possibility that they might carry some American best sellers? Thanks for any help.

Judith<BR>Easons, an Irish book store, have a branch in Cork and they also have a web site. I think their address is www.easons.ie - not sure. If that fails try www.eircom.net and do a search<BR><BR>Hope this helps,<BR><BR>Cathy

Use amazon.co.uk.

To Lynn and Cathy:<BR> Many thanks on your help regarding ordering books in Ireland<BR>--and information on bookstores in Cork.I'm very grateful for your help.<BR> Judith

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Why?

Lynn,<BR><BR>Relative to its size, Ireland has produced - or at least inspired - a remarkable body of quality, memorable fiction. You've already received a good many tips, but allow me to chime in with just a few more:<BR><BR>Edna O' Brien's &quot;The House of Splendid Isolation&quot;<BR><BR>William Trevor's latest novel,&quot;The Story of Lucy Gault&quot;<BR><BR>John McGahern's &quot;The Barracks&quot; and his latest work of fiction, &quot;By the Lake&quot; <BR><BR>Colm Toibin's &quot;The South&quot; (Toibin, by the way, also wrote a remarkable memoir, titled &quot;Bad Blood,&quot; about his travels along the border separating Northern Ireland and the Republic.)<BR><BR>Dermot Healy's &quot;A Goat's Song&quot;<BR><BR>Good reading and best of luck.

One of the best romance-type books I have read recently , based in Ireland is <BR> Jewels of the Sun, by Nora Roberts. While I was reading it, I could close my eyes and let her descriptions take me back there. I could see the village , the countryside and the view of the water , all as if I were there yesterday. It captured the feel of the place &amp; the people. <BR> ( there are 2 more books in the trilogy - Tears of the Moon &amp; Heart of the Sea - both good, but I loved the 1st one best) .

Troubles, by J.G. Farrell, is a wonderful novel that was written in the 1970's but has recently re-published by the New York Review of Books. It would make a great companion piece to William Trevor's The Story of Lucy Gault (one of David D.'s recommendations), in that it's also about an Anglo-Irish family in the 1920's. <BR><BR>Speaking of Trevor, he's one of my favorite writers and I loved The Story of Lucy Gault, but I think his real strength is as a writer of short stories, so I'd recommend starting off with one of his short story collections, like The Hill Bachelors. (But any time spent reading Trevor is time well spent.)<BR><BR>For a more humorous take on the decaying Anglo-Irish gentry in the 1920's and 1930's, you can't beat Molly Keane, whose books were originally published under her pen name, M.J. Farrell (no relation to the J.G. Farrell who wrote Troubles, as far as I know). Good Behavior is one of her best.<BR><BR>Hugh Leonard, the Irish playwright who is probably best known for having written Da, has written a novel called A Wild People, about a bunch of literary and theatrical types in contemporary Dublin. It's amusing, but light: it made the perfect airplane book for my flight home from London to New York last summer.