A Month Focus on Irish Fiction
a continuation and exploration of Irish fiction
If you’ve been part of my newsletter a while it will be no surprise that I set aside a month for reading Irish fiction. This is a little later than originally planned, but these books aren’t seasonal. They can be enjoyed all year long!
Focusing on one “genre” actually worked in my favour. Especially when it is listening/reading to a collective of inspiring voices. After about 5 weeks of barely being able to finish a book suddenly I managed to read so many! I’m hoping this means my reading hiatus is finally over.
I think Sally Rooney was my introduction to Irish writing, I know, how unoriginal! I read her first novel shortly after its release purely because a colleague loved it so much and thrust it into my hands. Little did she know the beautiful pandora’s box she was opening!
Shortly after that I started a subscription to the Stinging fly a publication of short stories and poetry by Irish writers, which I would highly recommend. It is bi yearly and with it comes a novel of some kind by an Irish author. Although I’ve paused it right now, I am going to resubscribe in the future.
I would love to explore Ireland more. I’ve only visited Dublin and Cork, but there are so many more places I would love to go. But whilst travelling there might be limiting being able to visit via books is the next best thing.
Irish themed newsletters I’ve enjoyed this month…
Along with Aisling’s previous post on Dublin
Books I read this month….
Wild houses by Colin Barrett - I started this the last week of January and, have only just finished it in March. For someone who is a speedy reader this took me a while. I feel like I would have enjoyed this a lot more had I not been reading this as I waded my way through a reading slump. It is good, the characters are dynamic and well thought out doing a great job of portraying working class people in Ballina. The story evolves around a drug deal gone wrong, which then leads to the subsequent kidnapping of Doll.
The Lesser Bohemian by Eimear McBride
Although I didn’t read this in March it is the first in the series of one I did read. I found reading this as an audible a really great way to introduce myself to McBride’s work. Her syntax is incredible, but also took a little getting used to.
The Lesser Bohemian follows Eily and her relationship with Stephen during her time at university. Despite the 20 year age gap their relationship is raw and all consuming. It is probably one of the only novels that I’ve read where the age difference hasn’t creeped me out and I’ve been routing for both characters.
The City Changes Its Face by Elmer McBride
I managed to get my hands on this from the library pretty quick. It’s a sequel to The Lesser Bohemians as spoken above which I thought was incredible. I couldn’t wait to dig in. Like the first in the series I listened to this, I find McBride’s writing style extremely well adapted to audio. You really manage to find the intended rhythm which could be easily missed. I’ve not quite finished this yet, but I’m about half the way through. To be really honest I’m struggling with it. I’m so disappointed. For me it just doesn’t flow like Lesser Bohemian’s. Eily and Stephen have lost their spark and I’m finding it hard to be all consumed by their relationship and their issues, which previously I adored. I’m going to hold out judgement until the end. But there is going to have to be a huge shift for me to enjoy it.
Where the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan
Set during the potato famine of 1846 this YA novel does an incredible job of educating the reader about the million people who died, along with the 2 million people who had to relocate (mainly to America) due to starvation. I flew through this, mainly because of it being YA. But it was really emotional and so well written. I see myself recommending this a lot!
Snowflake by Louise Nealon
And finally Snowflake that I’ve just started this after seeing it being recommended on here. I instantly connected with this book and it engaged me in a way that I’ve genuinely missed in reading recently.
The protagonist Debbie was raised by her mother and uncle on a rural dairy farm. Mainly by her uncle due to her mothers mental health being some what fragile. She claims to not know who Debbie’s father is, and believes that her own dreams are prophecies. Her mothering is questionable and is emotionally toxic.
Debbie goes to university at Trinity, a short train ride away and finds herself both overwhelmed and disappointed by the experience.
I’m excited to see how it develops and where Debbies dreams and university experience takes the reader.I’m not sure what it is but a coming of age novel tends to be an easy win for me.
Other Irish novels that I loved…
Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan
A problematic love story between a girl and a guy who doesn’t care for her in the way she wants or deserves. Nolan does an incredible job of capturing what it is to be a young woman looking for love and validation from a man.
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
Shortlisted for the 2023 booker prize I loved this generational novel. Each character we became privy to their messy and nuanced messy lives kept me truly engrossed for the 645 pages. The final few chapters were chaotic, and it has one of those endings that leaves you wanting more!
Prophet Song by Paul Lynch
This book was equally good as it was frustrating. It felt as if it won the booker prize because it was a great novel to evoke “radical empathy” from the readers. Set in Ireland with a new Fascist nationalist government the story follows Eilish, whose husband, and then her eldest son vanish. We witness her struggle to stay in her home land in the hopes that her family can be reunited and flee together. Or get out whilst it is still possible and save her children and their future.
Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth
This is by far one of my favourite novels, again it’s a coming of age stories. Lucy starts to notice that she is falling in love with her friend Susannah. Her first crush becomes all consuming, like most first loves it is intense and devastating. One to read in the Summer.
TV and Movies
The Banshees of Inisherin - Set on a remote island off the cost of Ireland, Pádraic is sad and confused to why his friend Colm ends their friendship. This movie takes you on a journey, one moment I was laughing, another I was so tense that I wasn't able to make eye contact with the TV and then I found myself in floods of tears.
Bodkin - A limited series on Netflix about an American podcaster visiting a rural Irish village to investigate the disappearance of three people during Samhain festival. For those who like true crime and those who enjoy dark comedy. I loved the contrast of a well intending American against the quaint Irish. The last few episodes drifted for me, but as a whole I enjoyed this series.
Normal people - I know, I know, it’s like recommending shopping at Waitrose. But Normal People was one of the best TV shows I’ve ever watched. It was a truly perfect adaptation of Rooney’s novel and I have watched many times.
What would you recommend?
Wonderful! You've given me so many books to look forward to.
Sunburn is on my TBR. Glad you liked it!