"Definitive" Irish Books To Read

P. Breathnach

wow sierra wrote: »

An tOileánach was translated from the original Irish rather than ghost written...

True, but there was, apparently, a bit of editorial interference by Pádraig Ó Siochfhradha ("An Seabhach").

If you read it, I suggest that you also read "Fiche Bliana ag Fás" to get a different perspective on the life of the Islanders.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

teekayd25

A couple of John B. Keane's more famous titles were mentioned but it's also important not to overlook his short story collections. Also the "Letters of . . ." series, like "Letters of a Love-Hungry Farmer", "Letters of a Matchmaker", "Letters of a Successful T.D.", etc.

Bearhunter

One of my favourite ever books is Michael O'Gormon's Clancy's Bulba, a tale of friendship, piles and cockfighting in post-independence Ireland. One of the most enjoyable books I've ever read and hilarious, too. And I'd stick in Puckoon as a definitive Irish book as well.

Wester

I'd add December Bride by Sam Hanna Bell to any list. Given Bell's Ulster-Scots background, some might argue that it's a strange choice for a list of Irish books but there are many traditions on this island and all are worthy of study. In any case, it's a great read centering on the story of a servant girl and her relationship with two brothers on a farm in Northern Ireland. It was made into a movie with Donal McCann in 1990.

http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/article.aspx?art_id=773

Blush_01

Wester wrote: »

I'd add December Bride by Sam Hanna Bell to any list. Given Bell's Ulster-Scots background, some might argue that it's a strange choice for a list of Irish books but there are many traditions on this island and all are worthy of study. In any case, it's a great read centering on the story of a servant girl and her relationship with two brothers on a farm in Northern Ireland. It was made into a movie with Donal McCann in 1990.

http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/article.aspx?art_id=773

Made me cry. (The bit with the grave.)

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

P. Breathnach wrote: »

Thirty posts, and nobody yet has mentioned Jennifer Johnston? Try The Captains and the Kings or How Many Miles to Babylon?

I did "How Many Miles To Babylon?" for my Leaving Cert, absolutely loved it.

I've been trying to get through some of these suggestions but am not making much progress. I tried reading "At Swim Two Birds" while I was away there but it was really hard to get into. It really didn't make a lot of sense. To be fair I only read about 20 pages of it but usually if a book isn't making sense by then it's not for me.

MungBean

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I did "How Many Miles To Babylon?" for my Leaving Cert, absolutely loved it.

I've been trying to get through some of these suggestions but am not making much progress. I tried reading "At Swim Two Birds" while I was away there but it was really hard to get into. It really didn't make a lot of sense. To be fair I only read about 20 pages of it but usually if a book isn't making sense by then it's not for me.

You should read the third policeman first. It has the same absurd humour as the others but its an easier read and will get you acquainted with his writing style. It did for me anyway.

cml387

The Third Policeman must be one of irish (indeed world) literature's greatest "unknown" works in my opinion.
And he couldn't get it published! He worked some of the ideas into The Dalkey Archive.

Permabear's list reminds me that many of the works mentioned are availble free (and in Kindle format) from Gutenebrg.But you all know that I guess.

drn987

The Journey Home - Dermot Bolger.

Amazed that no one has mentioned this book. To my mind, it's the great Irish novel of the 1980s, and it sums up that decade in Ireland so well. If you remember the 80s, the era of Haughey and heroin and emigration, then you will love this book.

IvyTheTerrible

The Valley of the Squinting Windows by Brinsley MacNamara. A book that was banned, also caused a scandal in the town of Delvin, as some of the residents recognised themselves in some of the unpleasant characters in the novel. A good view of a particular time in Ireland.

SBWife

IvyTheTerrible wrote: »

The Valley of the Squinting Windows by Brinsley MacNamara. A book that was banned, also caused a scandal in the town of Granard, as some of the residents recognised themselves in some of the unpleasant characters in the novel. A good view of a particular time in Ireland.

I though it was based on Delvin?

IvyTheTerrible

SBWife wrote: »

I though it was based on Delvin?

Ah yes of course. I was mixing up small midland towns

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

Eliot Rosewater wrote: »

John McGahern's work is probably essential reading here. Amongst Women won the Booker Prize. Most of his work paints a (deservedly) negative picture of Ireland but his last novel, That They May Face the Rising Sun, is more celebratory, and is quite nice for that.

I couldn't agree more, McGaherns work gives a great insight into life in the west over the course of the late 20th century. As well as the two novels which you mentioned I'd also highly recommend 'The Dark' which I read recently. A very grim novel about a young mans experiences growing up in a similar household to that of 'Amongst Women'.

SBWife wrote: »

While more recent than most listed previously Joseph O'Connor's "Star of the Sea" surely deserves a mention here.

Definitely. Its an excellent novel with some brilliant characterization and one of the most gripping plots I've ever encountered. Its also one of those novels which I find gets better every time I read it as its full of subtle details.

dr gonzo wrote: »

Just to add one that came to mind onto Permabears list is the Ragged Trousered Philanthropists. I havent read it myself but ive heard its brilliant and am planning on reading it soon.

I'm reading it at the moment and although its a brilliant novel by an Irishman, its definitely not an Irish novel. Its set in a south of England coastal town and so far there have been no Irish elements to the plot.

Denerick wrote: »

I enjoyed 'The Book of Evidence'. A rather beautiful book I have to say. The man has great insight.

I loved 'The Book of Evidence'. Unfortunately I couldn't finish 'The Sea', an enormous letdown in my opinion.

Hermy wrote: »

Although the author J.P. Donleavy is not strictly Irish I think his novel The Gingerman certainly is worthy of inclusion in any list of Irish books.

Absolutely. A very funny book, I really must read it again sometime soon.

P. Breathnach wrote: »

Thirty posts, and nobody yet has mentioned Jennifer Johnston? Try The Captains and the Kings or How Many Miles to Babylon?

I have a copy of 'The Captains and the Kings' lying around, must give it a look sometime.


I'd also agree strongly with everyone who has mentioned Flann O'Brien and Joyce.

UnLuckyAgain

Kate O'Brien's Land of Spices is a fantastic read - written soon after the culmination of the 1937 Constitution as far as I remember.

A slightly more nuanced Irish book is Maria Edgeworth's The Absentee. It involves absentee landlords and the attempts at the assimilation of Irish 'bourgeoisie' into English culture. I think that you would have to be quite interested in Irish history to enjoy the book though.

Persiancowboy

Some excellent suggestions in this thread. I'd suggest two particular books/authors that haven't yet been mentioned:

The Butcher Boy by Patrick McCabe .... people are probably familiar with Neil Jordan's film version but the novel is brilliant and is in my opinion McCabe's best work (far superior to some of his more recent novels(.

The Speckled People by Hugo Hamilton. Sadly not enough people are familiar with this Irish/German writer. This book chronicles his childhood in south Dublin during the 50s/60s and is a poignant and brilliantly told story. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Aglomerado

dr gonzo wrote: »

Just to add one that came to mind onto Permabears list is the Ragged Trousered Philanthropists. I havent read it myself but ive heard its brilliant and am planning on reading it soon.

I probably shouldnt be posting books i havent read myself but ah sure why not

I finished this recently, thought the humour was excellent! (especially in the way characters are named). A good insight into Socialism and the lives of working men and their families.

Hermy

Persiancowboy wrote: »

The Butcher Boy by Patrick McCabe .... people are probably familiar with Neil Jordan's film version but the novel is brilliant and is in my opinion McCabe's best work (far superior to some of his more recent novels(.

Tis a great book but my favourite by far is The Dead School.

navigator

My favourite are
The dead, the last short story in Dubliners
Gulliver's travels
The country girls by Edna O'Brien
Cowboys and indians by Joseph O'Connor
Eureka street by Robert McLiam Wilson

I also appreciated the book about Connemara by Tim Robinson

I'm just reading 'The journey home' by Dermot Bolger

HeadPig

Never really enjoyed The Third Policeman much, anyone explain what they thought was so great about it?

Harry Angstrom

HeadPig wrote: »

Never really enjoyed The Third Policeman much, anyone explain what they thought was so great about it?

It's one of those "great" books that every Irish comedian worth his/her salt has to say he/she has read.......
I bet half of them haven't even read it.

[-0-]

John Moriarty - Nostos.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Just realised that I started this thread. Must have a read through it all and see if I took any of the recommendations

--Kaiser--

Star of the Sea - Joesph O'Connor.
Essential read for any Irish person

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Just realised that I started this thread. Must have a read through it all and see if I took any of the recommendations

Well now.... I've just had a read through and I'm ashamed to say I haven't read any of them bar Star of the Sea (and Redemption Falls which wasn't mentioned but is a follow up of sorts). Loved them both. I also read Ghostlight by O'Connor and I didn't like it that much when I read it but looking back on it it was probably better than I thought at the time.

Anyway... I must get back on this. Next trip to the library will be 100% Irish.

navigator

--Kaiser-- wrote: »

Star of the Sea - Joesph O'Connor.
Essential read for any Irish person

'Star of the Sea' has been waiting on my shelf for years... it's time to reat it!

Dirty Dingus McGee

The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry
Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann

navigator

navigator wrote: »

'Star of the Sea' has been waiting on my shelf for years... it's time to reat it!

reat = read

Swiper the fox

Star of the Sea and the Secret Scripture(in fact anything by Sebastian Barry or Joseph O'Connor) are recent standouts, I actually think Donal Ryan's The Spinning Heart is the most essential Irish book I've read in years, practically every living Irish person would probably get something from it.

Dirty Dingus McGee

Skippy Dies by Paul Murray