The author, Simon Smith, is a filmmaker who has recorded stories from around the world, and that background is seen in the writing as he fills in little details and concentrates on the lives, likes and troubles of the main characters. Continue reading
Filed under Book review …
Remembering Hugh O’Flaherty
With honours from the US, Britain and Israel, he is almost forgotten in Ireland, sixty years after he died. Continue reading
Hidden Cargoes by Chris Arthur
Hidden Cargoes is a substantive work of research and creative analysis that also reads like a gentle musing on life by a favourite relative. Continue reading
St Manchan’s Shrine
Though the shrine was built in the early twelfth century, Saint Manchan died in AD. 644. Contextual evidence allows the authors to point to possible reasons the saint’s life and work might be commemorated years later by such craftsmanship. Continue reading
Another Honour for Donal Ryan
Donal Ryan at his best. His central characters are four women of four different generations. Continue reading
Tóibín being Tóibín.
Book Review by Frank O’Shea A GUEST AT THE FEAST. By Colm Tóibín. Picador 2022. 305 pp. $34.99 Colm Tóibín is the current Laureate for Irish Fiction, succeeding Sebastian Barry. As part of that role, he will be expected to deliver a number of public lectures; it is not clear whether this book is part … Continue reading
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Irish-Australian Gothic
McKinty’s The Island is a page-turner, and often quite chilling and surprising in the turns it takes. Continue reading
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New Irish Fiction
Three new Irish or Irish Australian fictions reviewed by book-devourer, Frank O’Shea Continue reading
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Between Two Hells
One hundred years ago this month, Ireland found that it had to deal with former comrades fighting and killing each other. Continue reading
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New Irish Fiction
Two new writers and one well established. Continue reading
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