Happy St Patricks day, 2011.
The 17th March is St Patricks day, the day to celebrate all things Irish. However, there’s more to the Emerald isle than just leprechauns, four leaf clovers and the blarney stone. Ireland has made a great (and continuing) contribution to the literary world, with an array of impressive titles ranging from classics to the contemporary. So what better way to celebrate than to dress up in your best green outfit and come to the library this St Patricks day and try your luck with a book by an Irish author. Here are a few recently released titles to start, feel free to add the list with your favourite Irish authors and/or books.
John Banville “The Infinities” An intriguing novel, based on the Greek myth of Amphitryon. It takes place over one single summer’s day, where a mathematician lays dying. He is attended by not only his family, but also a host of Greek gods, whom only the dog can see. Narrated in part by the messenger god Hermes, this is a clever and frequently amusing book.
Emma Donoghue “Room” Jack is a five year old boy whose entire world consists of a single room, measuring just 12 feet by 12 feet. ” This book, the seventh by the Canadian / Irish author was shortlisted for the Manbooker prize in 2010.
Damien Leith “Remember June” An accomplished pop star and author, this is Leith’s second novel. It is, to quote the publisher, “a shattering and redemptive story of fathers and sons, and the power of memory”. Why not borrow his newly released CD of the same name?
Monica McInerney “At home with the Templetons”. The Templetons are an unruly family of seven, who, in order to make ends meet, open their stately home on the weekends as a living museum… Want to read more? Find this book in our fastback collection.
Colm Toibin “The empty family: Stories” This is a captivating collection of melancholy and thoughtful short stories, with an overriding theme of dysfunctional relationships. Beautifully written, these are well worth a look.
