Irish authors
It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and it’s time to search for a pot of Irish literary gold. Fortunately, you don’t have to look far to find great Irish authors in the “flavors” you love.
If you enjoy warm, happy reads about small-town life, check out Maeve Binchy. Her characters read like real people you know, and you’ll become invested in the outcomes of their relationships and life stories. Binchy’s novels are leisurely reads, full of warmth and humor. They’re the perfect stress reliever when you want an uncomplicated, pick-me-up story.
On the other hand, you might be ready for something a bit darker. Go no further than Tana French, who penned the Dublin Murder Squad series. Her gritty, real-life-is-tough-kid mysteries follow a police squad as they navigate the messy world of people and violence. You’ll feel and understand the depth of emotion in characters, following their motivations, fears and deepest secrets. French is a master of psychological suspense, so set aside a big chunk of time. You’ll find her books hard to put down.
But enough of fiction, let’s look at some real life. Author Frank McCourt grew up poor, the son of Irish immigrants to America during the difficult Depression era. In his autobiography Angela’s Ashes, McCourt handles the heartbreaking story of his poverty-stricken childhood with a surprisingly uplifting tone. Never bitter, he focuses on the amazing resilience of the human spirit in overcoming the most difficult of life’s challenges. Prepare for tragedy, comedy, despair and hope – all intermingled by a master of prose.
Speaking of masterful writers, let’s not forget the classic James Joyce. One of the 20th century’s most influential writers, Joyce’s stream-of-consciousness narrative style and sophisticated wordplay set him apart and intrigued the world. This isn’t an author you pick up and read idly while waiting at the doctor’s office; you need a quiet place to focus, but it’s well worth the extra effort. Prepare to spend more time in the characters’ heads – where they contemplate the deeper meaning of life – than in their physical realities. Start with Dubliners. Tip: You might want to keep a study guide handy so you can better appreciate the depth of his works.
Something about Ireland must lend itself readily to introspection, because 19th century author Oscar Wilde also focused on the psychological ruminations of his characters. His prose is intricate, his descriptions so detailed you can visualize them perfectly. You probably read The Picture of Dorian Gray in school, but it’s worth a re-read as its life lessons are just as true today as they were over 100 years ago.
These authors are only the tip of the iceberg. Check out Claire-Louise Bennett (unique, beautiful, witty), John Boyne (remember The Boy in the Striped Pajamas?), John McGahern (realistic yet endearing), Anne Enright (very popular in Ireland), and many more. Whether their tales are set in Ireland or somewhere else, you’ll catch a flavor of their heritage in each of their unique contributions to the literary experience. Read Irish.
Botetourt County Public Libraries
