When you happen to mention in conversation that you're not a big fan of Irish authors and the Irish author you are talking to decides the reputation of his entire country is at stake! Thanks @jpsheerin.bsky.social for sending me this ❤️ #BookSky
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ONG Bex … I might have to convert you. This book is sensational but I have a shedload of other recommendations for Irish literature which are all amazing.
You may regret this 😂. I would recommend Donal Ryan (any of his are fabulous), Panenka or Leonard and Hungry Paul by @ronanhession.bsky.social or Falling Animals by Sheila Armstrong. Start there and let me know what you think.
Aware I have the wrong crowd here, but the film was a 9/10 last year. Cillian Murphy was exceptional as always. His wife loved the book, gave it to him to read, and he immediately got the rights to the film.
I loved the book and Cillian Murphy absolutely did it justice.
Great background information there, thank you, although I disagree on your scoring, surely 10/10 ? (As for the book !)
I gasped so loudly when I read this as I’ve been wondering lately if they put something in the water, because for me, Irish writers (female in particular) are top tier. None of the ones I’ve read in the last 2 years have disappointed.
STLT is a cracker though, hope you enjoy it ☺️
Nowt to be ashamed of. I was lucky to read several bangers in a short space of time. If you fancy dipping your toes again, you have some Keegan, I’d recommend:
Intimacies - Lucy Caldwell (short stories)
Trespasses - Louise Kennedy
The Rachel Incident - Caroline O’Donoghue
Hagstone - Sinéad Gleeson
You don‘t know what you are missing. Trespasses Louise Kennedy, Glorious Heresies Lisa McInerney, The Last Crossing Brian McGilloway, The Bee Sting Paul Murray and anything by Donal Ryan should convert you 📚💙#booksky
This book got 6* out of 5 from me - and I'm stingy with the stars.
I next read Foster and the ice cream on my pudding melted because I just could not put it down.
She has diamond writing chops. Not a word out of place, not a word wasted. Exquisite skill.
Plenty of actually good Irish writers out there. Kevin Barry, Tana French, Glenn Paterson, Ronán Hession, Kathleen McMahon, Sebastian Barry and loads more.
No need to lower your standards and read Sally Rooney!
Ah … Sally Rooney is excellent. Intermezzo her best. But Donal Ryan, Colum McCann, Seb Barry, Kevin Barry, Colm Tóibín. Paul Murray, Paul Lynch ‘prophet Song’, Christine Dwyer Hickey, Sara Baume, Niall Williams, Ronan Hession, Anne Enright, Bernard MacLaverty, Audrey Magee, Louise Kennedy.
William Trevor! Nuala O’Connor ‘Nora’, John McGahern ‘Amongst Women ‘ & ‘That they may face the rising sun’ . Mike McCormack ‘Solar Bones’ . Mary Costello, Lisa Mcinerney ‘the Glorious Heresies’. Emma Donoghue. John Banville. Maggie O’Farrell. Joseph O’Connor, Jennifer Johnston. Anna Burns ‘Milkman
I share your opinion on John Banville & Sally Rooney but I absolutely loved Small Things Like These. And if after reading it you decide you do like Irish authors after all I would highly recommend Trespasses by Louise Kennedy. Of course if you don't enjoy it at least it's short.
Friends, there are bookstores that do not give money to Jeff Bezos who then gives millions to Trump and buys/ ruins The Washington Post.
I have no local bookstores but there are many online sources!
Comments
Also, Irish authors are the best.
I found this book to be very good at making me a part of it. It drew me in and never let me go.
You'll love more than you think 🤔 😉
Great background information there, thank you, although I disagree on your scoring, surely 10/10 ? (As for the book !)
STLT is a cracker though, hope you enjoy it ☺️
Intimacies - Lucy Caldwell (short stories)
Trespasses - Louise Kennedy
The Rachel Incident - Caroline O’Donoghue
Hagstone - Sinéad Gleeson
I *REALLY REALLY* loathe irish whisky, like with a passion. It'd probably take a boatload of the stuff to convince me to change my opinion.
So where should I put my PO address?
I next read Foster and the ice cream on my pudding melted because I just could not put it down.
She has diamond writing chops. Not a word out of place, not a word wasted. Exquisite skill.
Too bad the Author had to use Amazon, as Amazon does not believe in equality, and considers Irish Workers as DEI hires.
No need to lower your standards and read Sally Rooney!
I have no local bookstores but there are many online sources!
moved by these characters and how beautifully they have been created by Claire Keegan.
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