I've read most of this list but glad to have some others at the tail end of your video to explore. I know that all of these are writers still alive but I can't recommend enough John McGahern's books, since you are so keen on writers from my country.
Hi Eric. Terrific video. Thanks for doing this. I'm also passionate about Irish literature. I did a video last spring about "reading all things Irish" as I was getting ready for what turned out to be a life-changing trip to Ireland. I love many of these authors on this list, like Colm Toibin, Maggie O'Farrell, Claire Keegan, Tana French, Anne Enright, Donal Ryan, and Sebastian Barry, and I'm very grateful for your suggested additions too. My favorite novel that I read in 2024 was Donal Ryan's The Queen of Dirt Island. I think he is extraordinary. Reading Queen of Dirt Island got me to go back and read many of his earlier books. Claire Keegan's Foster was probably my favorite book of 2023, and I also adored the film, "The Quiet Girl." Some authors that I might also include are the recently deceased Edna O'Brien and also Roddy Doyle. I'm also a big fan of the late Nuala O'Faolain, but I think she passed away more than 15 years ago. I smiled when you talked about not wanting to mispronounce the Irish names. After being to Ireland, I now wish I could pronounce my last name the way the Irish pronounce it. My last name is "Mahoney," which rhymes with "baloney" here in the US, but the Irish pronunciation is much more lovely and dramatic. Anyway, thank you so much for doing this video. What a treasure!
Fantastic! Thanks so much. I’ll look up your video. It’s so special to actually travel to Ireland. And how wonderful to hear your name pronounced so differently. 😊
So glad to see you recommending Michelle Gallen. I've not read Big Girl, Small Town, but Factory Girls was such a joy to read (very close in tone to Derry Girls). I don't understand why Trespasses by Louise Kennedy isn't on this list, I've LOVED it as I read it. I also loved Deirdre Sullivan's retelling of the Children of Lir, Savage Her Reply, and Fia and the Last Snow Deer by Eilish Fisher (both sold in the childrens section). Calling Small Things Like These a perfect novella sounds very accurate. It's insane how economical and precise she is with her words.
The Colony - Audrey McGee, was one of the best novels I've read in recent years - and kind of started me off on reading Irish fiction. Surprised not to see anyone mention it yet.
What a great list! I have added so many to my TBR. As I have tracked my reading over the years I have found that many of my 5 star reads are from Irish writers. I'm in love with their literary style. Here is one I would recommend... Hearts and Bones, Love Songs for Late Youth by Niamh Mulvey. This is slim book of short stories about the different kinds of love, what it does to us and how we survive it. Highly recommend! 5 star read for me. Definitely under the radar book here in the States.
It’s a bold thing to attempt a modern Irish canon, and I completely agree that it seems surprising to list more than one book by any author. I am a huge fan of Irish literature and as this list and your additions demonstrate, the talent coming out of that country is amazing. As others have mentioned, I am very surprised not to see a novel by John Boyne on this list and I really think Niall Williams deserves much more appreciation and recognition.
Great list, great video. I've read quite a few but appreciate all the recommendations, including in the comments. Definitely saving this one for reference!
Eric you must read “Skippy Dies”! I was eager to see the novel on the list, and I was so happy it was. It was first time I’d read a book that was both poignant, charming and funny (which are books I rarely read)!
I have read 7 of these and loved them all. Voice is so important in Irish fiction. In particular, in Milkman and Days Without End, the voice had me from the very first paragraph.
OMG - loved this video Eric! So many people have been talking about their reading goals for 2025 and the only one I really have is to read more books by Irish authors. This is because I discovered Donal Ryan in 2024 and now want to read everything he has written. Also one of my absolute favourite books of the year was Before My Actual Heart Breaks by Tish Delaney and have now bought The Saint of Lost Things, but am almost scared to start it in case it doesn't meet my expectations! One book mentioned that I'm immediately adding to my TBR is Academy Street by Mary Costello. Can't believe Prophet Song wasn't on the list or anything by Emma Donoghue! I have Our London Lives reserved at the Library and will be picking it up tomorrow (on your recommendation!).
Delighted to see A Ghost In The Throat on this list. Read it over the Christmas and was absolutely blown away by the quality of the writing and how Ní Ghríofa intertwines her own story with that of Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill's life. Also want to mention Close to Home, Michael Magee's debut novel. Think it was my favourite read of last year and definitely marked him out as an author I will be keeping an eye out for.
Happy New Year!! Great video. I was surprised by some writers that didn't make the list. I suggest anything by John B Keane - the man was a brilliant writer and couldn't write a bad story if he tried. I also love the books of Brian Moore - my particular favourites are Catholics and The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearn. My last recommendation is Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neill, an incredible dystopian story that stayed with me long after I'd turned the last page. Thank you for all the work you do with your videos - I really enjoy them.
Thanks! I've only read a few of the books on the list (Bee Sting, Hamnet, Milkman, ...) but I'll have to look for some of the others. I tend to read slightly older Irish literature (Joyce, Flann O"Brien, Máirtín Ó Cadhain, etc.) but there's some great new stuff coming out.
Thanks as always Eric! I’ve finally read Small Things Like These. While I loved the Furlongs & their neighbors, & Bill’s story, I was rather disappointed in the ending. I don’t want to give anything away but I’ll say I thought Keegan just wrapped the story up too neatly with an obvious “list” of things that the reader already knew. But there are many more on this list that I want to read! Thanks again! 😊
I just finished Glorious Exploits. Ferdia Lennon is another fine Irish storyteller. Listening to the final lines made me think of this video. "... wounded men that could only be healed by story". I'm also fascinated by Paraic O'Donnell's books.
I’m looking forward to reading Evening Class. It’s on my TBR. So far, I’ve read Tara Road, Scarlet Feather and Circle of Friends. Maeve is a great writer.
Great to see Ghost in the Throat on here, although it’s the first time I have seen it called a novel, and also wonderful to see Girl is a Half-formed thing and City of Bohane. But I can’t believe Sara Baume (Spill Simmer Falter Wither would be my choice) and Ronan Hession are not included.😮
Oh gosh, what a list, what a video Eric. So many recommendations here. I'm pleased to say that I'd heard of most of the authors from the list (and your recs), but have added Belinda McKeon and Mary Costello to my nonstop TBR. Maybe I'll pick up an Anne Enright for Anneuary? I tend to consume Irish literature on audio, the accent of the reader is always so delightful and it adds so much to the Irish turn of phrase that I love so much. I love the listening experience so so much that I'd feel short changed by only reading the book! Even though I could hear the lilt in my head, I love hearing it in my ears. I really need to reread Small Things Like These, I enjoyed it well enough but don't get the raptures and paroxysms everyone else seems to have about the book. I would add Jan Carson to your list. Although I've only read her short stories (although that isn't a problem it seems), but have bought all of her books. Although she's Northern Irish, I don't know if any of the other authors are Northern Irish?
Such a great list of Irish authors, but there was no mention (unless I missed it?) of John Boyne. Love his writing style and beautiful prose! The Hearts Invisible Furies is one of my all time favorites!
Although The Secret Place isn't my favourite of hers, Tana French is a fantastic crime writer. One of the rare few who write crime fiction that feels literary in its character and setting.
I have read more of these books than I expected and look forward to exploring more. Indeed, some of them I've been meaning to get to for quite a while now. I read Shadowplay by Joseph O'Connor a few years ago and that is one that I recommend. I'm also reminded that I meant to go back and read more Kevin Barry and that I just might need to read more Irish fiction - I've a friend who has been trying to get me to read Edna Obrien for over a decade now.
I'm very glad you mentioned Sara Baume, Eric. She should have been on the list of 25. I would also recommend The First Verse by Barry McCrea, an overlooked novel with a more original take on the student novel than some of those that came after it. It's described as a "memorable debut novel that explores Dublin’s every corner, including a first-of-its-kind portrayal of its thriving gay nightlife, through the eyes of a young man seduced by a secret society’s ancient reading rituals, based on the sortes virgilianae."
Foster was one of my favorite books I read last year. What a story in such a compact package. I agree with you that while hamnet was a solid read, I preferred and thought the marriage portrait was better! I always hear beautiful world, where are you as ranked last, but I really loved it and is possibly my fave rooney so far. I recommend reading the rachel incident! Would love to hear your thoughts on it.
Great video and particularly loved your recommendations at the end. Lucy Caldwell is such an incredible short story writer and my bookish controversial opinion is that she's better than Claire Keegan 🙈 I recently read a debut - Sparks of Bright Matter by Leeanne O'Donnell and it was brilliant! Gritty historical fiction with a fantastic storyline and very original characters. I read it whilst visiting Ireland very close to where parts of it were set which was such an amazing coincidence!
I read a star called Henry when I was 14 shortly after the paperback came out. I couldn’t put it down. My brothers read it after, my dad, my older sister and I loaned it to a friend and never saw it again. It was a great book
Surprising John Boyne omitted. I know there is a lot of controversy and 'cancelling' surrounding him in recent years. Could that be why? Lists like these are always subjective, but it did include (imho) many good novels and authors, but then omitted others that are probably better (like some you spoke of) than some the list maker chose to put on the list. Anyway, interesting to hear the list. Thanks!:)
@@andrewverlaine Are all of them on the list THAT good? :) I am actually going to read my 1st next month, so don't know what I think of him as a writer yet, BUT when you read he has won four Irish Book Awards, including Author of the Year in 2022, along with a host of other international literary prizes, it made me wonder why he's not on the list.
@@thaliad6759 "The Heart's Invisible Furies" is supposed to be one of his best, and I haven't read that, so maybe I'm missing out on his best writing. Perhaps I'm a bit biased as I find Boyne a bit like JK Rowling or Ian McEwen in that he tends to write op-ed pieces that don't always demonstrate the best critical thinking/give off a vibe that having written some good books has led the writer to think they're smarter in a general sense than they actually are.
The cover for Actress is Carrie Fisher watching her mother, Debbie Reynolds. It sounds like an interesting story. Your copies of Claire Keegan’s books are beautiful.
Hi Eric I have read 11 of these. I think I am going to try and get Days without End and Skippy Dies for Irish Readathon Month in March. I already have an Edna O’Brien to read.
As well as ‘My Father’s House’ might I also recommend’Star Of The Sea’ also by Joseph O’Connor. As far as I am aware , Maggie O”Farrell although obviously of Irish heritage, was born and brought up in Britain. So therefore I don’t think that she should be on this list. I loved’ ‘Hammet by the way. Happy New Year.
Many people who are raised In England still have a strong connection with Ireland, and their experience of the Irish diaspora can also be regarded as Irish, if it feels that way to them. Many of the most famous Irish writers have spent most of their writing lives away from Ireland in fact.
A Ghost in the Throat is one of my all time faves! I would like more from this author, but don’t think there is much out there by her. Please let me know if you know of some.
The list is focused on last 15 years. I've only read a few of Banville's books..."The Sea" and "Mefisto" blew me away but are too old for this list. "Ancient light" was OK. "Snow" was very good, not really great, maybe an honourable mention
@@andrewverlaine The Blue Guitar was published in 2015. It's odd to leave such a master unmentioned. If the purpose of such lists is to alert people to gems they may have missed, please don't miss Banville. Just flip open a Banville novel anywhere, and read two or three paragraphs. He is up there with Coetzee and Morrison. (and thanks for the video and drawing my attention to books I hope to read!)
Consider the loss to English literature if all these great Irish writers had just written in Irish. Their works would have been as little known as those of the poets of Iceland. No country has given the world more incomparable literature per head of population than Ireland. I have been reading through the Penguin Book of Contemporary Irish Poetry, so many great poets from Seamus Heaney to Paul Muldoon and Thomas Kinsella. Anne Enright's Actress in this list is also phenomenal.
@@SirChopman01 Indeed but Ireland has been independent for decades and still most Irish people choose English rather than Irish for everyday communication. Here in Georgia, the country, they speak Georgian not Russian, they fought hard against their colonial oppressors to keep their language. Georgia and Ireland are almost the same size around 70 000 square kilometres.
They spent 600 years killing us for speaking it. They literally repopulated a large part of the country with non Irish people who never spoke it. It's a shame more of us don't speak it, but it's not what you'd call a choice.
@@jimsbooksreadingandstuff do you lament the loss of Georgian writing to the Russian literary canon? Surely that followed your Icelandic poets into obscurity? The distinctiveness of Irish writing is due in large part to a struggle to express (mainly in a foreign tongue) the severing of ourselves from our native culture. I know your comment wasn't meant in bad faith, it was largely praise of Irish writing but suggesting colonialism is the price to pay for inclusion in the colonisers canon is not the road to go down.
@@SirChopman01 Georgia loves her poets but they are largely unknown outside Georgia because they write in Georgian and poetry is damaged in translation. In poetry the sound of the words is as important as the meaning and the Georgian language is not a European language. English is a mongrel tongue with a Germanic base provided by the Angles, Saxons and Jutes to which was added Latin from the church, Danish from the Vikings and French from the Normans and then liberally sprinkled with vocabulary from numerous sources. English is not really native to England. Now it is becoming the global language by default because the Americans chose to speak it rather than their own native tongues like Cherokee. One of the most successful authors of recent years Nino Haratischvili who Eric interviewed wrote the Eighth Life in German. Like the Irish there has been a huge diaspora from Georgia.
I'd love to see you give a brutal takedown of Ulysses. Why is jj just just a Lil b.? Y is he overrated? Should anyone waste their time on Dubliners? From one mc to another. U go bro
Nial williams!! Writes so beautifully. History of the rain, thia is happiness, 4 letters of love...
Trespasses - Louise Kennedy.
I've read most of this list but glad to have some others at the tail end of your video to explore. I know that all of these are writers still alive but I can't recommend enough John McGahern's books, since you are so keen on writers from my country.
Hi Eric. Terrific video. Thanks for doing this. I'm also passionate about Irish literature. I did a video last spring about "reading all things Irish" as I was getting ready for what turned out to be a life-changing trip to Ireland. I love many of these authors on this list, like Colm Toibin, Maggie O'Farrell, Claire Keegan, Tana French, Anne Enright, Donal Ryan, and Sebastian Barry, and I'm very grateful for your suggested additions too. My favorite novel that I read in 2024 was Donal Ryan's The Queen of Dirt Island. I think he is extraordinary. Reading Queen of Dirt Island got me to go back and read many of his earlier books. Claire Keegan's Foster was probably my favorite book of 2023, and I also adored the film, "The Quiet Girl." Some authors that I might also include are the recently deceased Edna O'Brien and also Roddy Doyle. I'm also a big fan of the late Nuala O'Faolain, but I think she passed away more than 15 years ago. I smiled when you talked about not wanting to mispronounce the Irish names. After being to Ireland, I now wish I could pronounce my last name the way the Irish pronounce it. My last name is "Mahoney," which rhymes with "baloney" here in the US, but the Irish pronunciation is much more lovely and dramatic. Anyway, thank you so much for doing this video. What a treasure!
Fantastic! Thanks so much. I’ll look up your video. It’s so special to actually travel to Ireland. And how wonderful to hear your name pronounced so differently. 😊
So glad to see you recommending Michelle Gallen. I've not read Big Girl, Small Town, but Factory Girls was such a joy to read (very close in tone to Derry Girls). I don't understand why Trespasses by Louise Kennedy isn't on this list, I've LOVED it as I read it. I also loved Deirdre Sullivan's retelling of the Children of Lir, Savage Her Reply, and Fia and the Last Snow Deer by Eilish Fisher (both sold in the childrens section).
Calling Small Things Like These a perfect novella sounds very accurate. It's insane how economical and precise she is with her words.
I agree 'Trespasses' stayed with me as a story long after I'd read it.
The Colony - Audrey McGee, was one of the best novels I've read in recent years - and kind of started me off on reading Irish fiction. Surprised not to see anyone mention it yet.
The Colony was a stunner of a book. So brilliant.
So glad to see Prophet Song mentioned. It's such an important piece of work and the writing is exquisite
Agreed. It truly deserved the award it won last year
Omg. This is special.
I can’t wait to get home and make notes
I love you
What a great list! I have added so many to my TBR. As I have tracked my reading over the years I have found that many of my 5 star reads are from Irish writers. I'm in love with their literary style. Here is one I would recommend... Hearts and Bones, Love Songs for Late Youth by Niamh Mulvey. This is slim book of short stories about the different kinds of love, what it does to us and how we survive it. Highly recommend! 5 star read for me. Definitely under the radar book here in the States.
Samuel Beckett is on my TBR list. Thanks for making this video on Irish authors.
He's unbelievable.
This is Happiness. By Niall Williams. A masterpiece
It’s a bold thing to attempt a modern Irish canon, and I completely agree that it seems surprising to list more than one book by any author. I am a huge fan of Irish literature and as this list and your additions demonstrate, the talent coming out of that country is amazing. As others have mentioned, I am very surprised not to see a novel by John Boyne on this list and I really think Niall Williams deserves much more appreciation and recognition.
Great list, great video. I've read quite a few but appreciate all the recommendations, including in the comments. Definitely saving this one for reference!
Eric you must read “Skippy Dies”! I was eager to see the novel on the list, and I was so happy it was. It was first time I’d read a book that was both poignant, charming and funny (which are books I rarely read)!
Ah great! I hope to get time to read it this year. He’s so talented.
I absolutely LOVED The Rachel Incident and Mrs Engels ❤ Can't wait to read many more of these wonderful sounding titles, thank you Eric.
I have read 7 of these and loved them all. Voice is so important in Irish fiction. In particular, in Milkman and Days Without End, the voice had me from the very first paragraph.
OMG - loved this video Eric! So many people have been talking about their reading goals for 2025 and the only one I really have is to read more books by Irish authors. This is because I discovered Donal Ryan in 2024 and now want to read everything he has written. Also one of my absolute favourite books of the year was Before My Actual Heart Breaks by Tish Delaney and have now bought The Saint of Lost Things, but am almost scared to start it in case it doesn't meet my expectations! One book mentioned that I'm immediately adding to my TBR is Academy Street by Mary Costello. Can't believe Prophet Song wasn't on the list or anything by Emma Donoghue! I have Our London Lives reserved at the Library and will be picking it up tomorrow (on your recommendation!).
I am a member of the Irish Repertory Theatre as a subscriber! LOVE Irish literature
Delighted to see A Ghost In The Throat on this list. Read it over the Christmas and was absolutely blown away by the quality of the writing and how Ní Ghríofa intertwines her own story with that of Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill's life. Also want to mention Close to Home, Michael Magee's debut novel. Think it was my favourite read of last year and definitely marked him out as an author I will be keeping an eye out for.
The Hearts Invisible Furies by John Boyne was an excellent book
Happy New Year!! Great video. I was surprised by some writers that didn't make the list. I suggest anything by John B Keane - the man was a brilliant writer and couldn't write a bad story if he tried. I also love the books of Brian Moore - my particular favourites are Catholics and The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearn. My last recommendation is Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neill, an incredible dystopian story that stayed with me long after I'd turned the last page.
Thank you for all the work you do with your videos - I really enjoy them.
Thanks! I've only read a few of the books on the list (Bee Sting, Hamnet, Milkman, ...) but I'll have to look for some of the others. I tend to read slightly older Irish literature (Joyce, Flann O"Brien, Máirtín Ó Cadhain, etc.) but there's some great new stuff coming out.
Edna O’Brien’s books.
Fantastic video. Have read most of the top 25 books. Want to recommend Coast road - Alan Murrin, Women behind the door - Roddy Doyle.
Thanks as always Eric! I’ve finally read Small Things Like These. While I loved the Furlongs & their neighbors, & Bill’s story, I was rather disappointed in the ending. I don’t want to give anything away but I’ll say I thought Keegan just wrapped the story up too neatly with an obvious “list” of things that the reader already knew. But there are many more on this list that I want to read! Thanks again! 😊
I just finished Glorious Exploits. Ferdia Lennon is another fine Irish storyteller. Listening to the final lines made me think of this video. "... wounded men that could only be healed by story".
I'm also fascinated by Paraic O'Donnell's books.
don't forget maeve binchey. she was one of my all time favorites. evening class is my favorite.
I’m looking forward to reading Evening Class. It’s on my TBR. So far, I’ve read Tara Road, Scarlet Feather and Circle of Friends. Maeve is a great writer.
Great to see Ghost in the Throat on here, although it’s the first time I have seen it called a novel, and also wonderful to see Girl is a Half-formed thing and City of Bohane. But I can’t believe Sara Baume (Spill Simmer Falter Wither would be my choice) and Ronan Hession are not included.😮
Oh gosh, what a list, what a video Eric. So many recommendations here. I'm pleased to say that I'd heard of most of the authors from the list (and your recs), but have added Belinda McKeon and Mary Costello to my nonstop TBR. Maybe I'll pick up an Anne Enright for Anneuary?
I tend to consume Irish literature on audio, the accent of the reader is always so delightful and it adds so much to the Irish turn of phrase that I love so much. I love the listening experience so so much that I'd feel short changed by only reading the book! Even though I could hear the lilt in my head, I love hearing it in my ears.
I really need to reread Small Things Like These, I enjoyed it well enough but don't get the raptures and paroxysms everyone else seems to have about the book.
I would add Jan Carson to your list. Although I've only read her short stories (although that isn't a problem it seems), but have bought all of her books. Although she's Northern Irish, I don't know if any of the other authors are Northern Irish?
Such a great list of Irish authors, but there was no mention (unless I missed it?) of John Boyne. Love his writing style and beautiful prose! The Hearts Invisible Furies is one of my all time favorites!
I totally agree! Hearts invisible furies is a devastating read!
Yes - agree - Heart's Invisible Furies is great, as is The History Of Loneliness.
Cause he's not a good person
@@p_p_p_p_7732why do you say that?
This is Happiness, Niall Williams
Although The Secret Place isn't my favourite of hers, Tana French is a fantastic crime writer. One of the rare few who write crime fiction that feels literary in its character and setting.
I have read more of these books than I expected and look forward to exploring more. Indeed, some of them I've been meaning to get to for quite a while now. I read Shadowplay by Joseph O'Connor a few years ago and that is one that I recommend. I'm also reminded that I meant to go back and read more Kevin Barry and that I just might need to read more Irish fiction - I've a friend who has been trying to get me to read Edna Obrien for over a decade now.
I absolutely adored the bee sting. Cass was my favourite fictional character this year!
I'm very glad you mentioned Sara Baume, Eric. She should have been on the list of 25. I would also recommend The First Verse by Barry McCrea, an overlooked novel with a more original take on the student novel than some of those that came after it. It's described as a "memorable debut novel that explores Dublin’s every corner, including a first-of-its-kind portrayal of its thriving gay nightlife, through the eyes of a young man seduced by a secret society’s ancient reading rituals, based on the sortes virgilianae."
This Is Happiness by Niall Williams ❤❤❤❤
Foster was one of my favorite books I read last year. What a story in such a compact package.
I agree with you that while hamnet was a solid read, I preferred and thought the marriage portrait was better!
I always hear beautiful world, where are you as ranked last, but I really loved it and is possibly my fave rooney so far.
I recommend reading the rachel incident! Would love to hear your thoughts on it.
Andrew Scott on audio reading Dubliners 🎉
Great video and particularly loved your recommendations at the end. Lucy Caldwell is such an incredible short story writer and my bookish controversial opinion is that she's better than Claire Keegan 🙈 I recently read a debut - Sparks of Bright Matter by Leeanne O'Donnell and it was brilliant! Gritty historical fiction with a fantastic storyline and very original characters. I read it whilst visiting Ireland very close to where parts of it were set which was such an amazing coincidence!
Great list. I’ve read Brooklyn, Nora Webster and Hamnet.
Old Gods Time by Sebastian Barry
Just wonderful.
William Trevor is my favorite. Currently reading Mike McCormack who is engaging.
William Trevor was a genius. I wish he got more attention.
My favorite is the An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor.
Hello, Eric. I would love to see a follow up video on the books you recommended at the end of this one!
Good idea! I have a lot more to say about them but didn’t want this video to be hours long 😅📚
Thanks Eric, from an Irishman, for your thoughts. May I suggest? - 'At Swim, Two Boys' by Jamie O'Neill.
A Star Called Henry by Roddy Doyle, A Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry.
I read a star called Henry when I was 14 shortly after the paperback came out. I couldn’t put it down. My brothers read it after, my dad, my older sister and I loaned it to a friend and never saw it again. It was a great book
Read it twice. Love Roddy!
John Boyne
Surprising John Boyne omitted. I know there is a lot of controversy and 'cancelling' surrounding him in recent years. Could that be why? Lists like these are always subjective, but it did include (imho) many good novels and authors, but then omitted others that are probably better (like some you spoke of) than some the list maker chose to put on the list. Anyway, interesting to hear the list. Thanks!:)
Only read one or two of his things; he can write, but I just didn't think he's THAT good.
@@andrewverlaine Are all of them on the list THAT good? :) I am actually going to read my 1st next month, so don't know what I think of him as a writer yet, BUT when you read he has won four Irish Book Awards, including Author of the Year in 2022, along with a host of other international literary prizes, it made me wonder why he's not on the list.
@@thaliad6759 "The Heart's Invisible Furies" is supposed to be one of his best, and I haven't read that, so maybe I'm missing out on his best writing. Perhaps I'm a bit biased as I find Boyne a bit like JK Rowling or Ian McEwen in that he tends to write op-ed pieces that don't always demonstrate the best critical thinking/give off a vibe that having written some good books has led the writer to think they're smarter in a general sense than they actually are.
I would have added Angela’s ashes to the list
I think the list is more focused on books from last 15 years - Ashes was in the 90s
Pond by Claire-Louise Bennett , intense and original, loved it .
The cover for Actress is Carrie Fisher watching her mother, Debbie Reynolds. It sounds like an interesting story. Your copies of Claire Keegan’s books are beautiful.
Anything by Kevin Barry 🎉
Hi Eric I have read 11 of these. I think I am going to try and get Days without End and Skippy Dies for Irish Readathon Month in March. I already have an Edna O’Brien to read.
Great! I’m sure you’ll enjoy them. 📚
So the buzz for The Bee Sting is justified!
Brilliant Book
I love Irish writers! Read many of the ones on your list 😍 I really loved Ruth & Pen by Emilie Pine! Curious to know if you’ve read this one.
The Coast Road by Alan Murrin was one of my top reads last year.
Hamnet was amazing!
No John Boyne??
As well as ‘My Father’s House’ might I also recommend’Star Of The Sea’ also by Joseph O’Connor.
As far as I am aware , Maggie O”Farrell although obviously of Irish heritage, was born and brought up in Britain. So therefore I don’t think that she should be on this list. I loved’ ‘Hammet by the way.
Happy New Year.
I thought star of the sea was a fantastic book. It covered so much history and he created some marvelous characters. One of my favorites.
Many people who are raised In England still have a strong connection with Ireland, and their experience of the Irish diaspora can also be regarded as Irish, if it feels that way to them. Many of the most famous Irish writers have spent most of their writing lives away from Ireland in fact.
Close to Home by Michael Magee is an absolute must to read.
How is a Niall Williams book not on this list???
I think there is at least one... This is Happiness
A Ghost in the Throat is one of my all time faves! I would like more from this author, but don’t think there is much out there by her. Please let me know if you know of some.
Hi! Have you read Seven Steeples by Sara Baume? Amazing ☺️
I don't think you should worry about pronunciations of authors, its understandable, and not a sin!😊
Yeah - I can't believe he doesn't have at least ONE Irish friend who could help him. He can give me a call any time.
Donal Ryan is my favourite 🩵
Great list, if you've actually read all of these.
I would give at least an honourable mention to "Here are the young men" by Rob Doyle.
Joseph 'o Connor is Sinead's brother.
Claire Keegan - wow. Does a novella get any better than in her hands?
No offence …but the best since I am following you …thank you
Banville?
The list is focused on last 15 years. I've only read a few of Banville's books..."The Sea" and "Mefisto" blew me away but are too old for this list. "Ancient light" was OK. "Snow" was very good, not really great, maybe an honourable mention
@@andrewverlaine The Blue Guitar was published in 2015. It's odd to leave such a master unmentioned. If the purpose of such lists is to alert people to gems they may have missed, please don't miss Banville. Just flip open a Banville novel anywhere, and read two or three paragraphs. He is up there with Coetzee and Morrison.
(and thanks for the video and drawing my attention to books I hope to read!)
@@tzachizamir5779 Thanks for the recommendation of Blue Guitar! I still have to get to the Book of Evidence
@@andrewverlaine BOE is better, I think. I regularly teach it. I hope you will like it
Consider the loss to English literature if all these great Irish writers had just written in Irish. Their works would have been as little known as those of the poets of Iceland. No country has given the world more incomparable literature per head of population than Ireland. I have been reading through the Penguin Book of Contemporary Irish Poetry, so many great poets from Seamus Heaney to Paul Muldoon and Thomas Kinsella. Anne Enright's Actress in this list is also phenomenal.
Consider the actual loss of culture and language we've endured due to colonisation.
@@SirChopman01 Indeed but Ireland has been independent for decades and still most Irish people choose English rather than Irish for everyday communication. Here in Georgia, the country, they speak Georgian not Russian, they fought hard against their colonial oppressors to keep their language. Georgia and Ireland are almost the same size around 70 000 square kilometres.
They spent 600 years killing us for speaking it. They literally repopulated a large part of the country with non Irish people who never spoke it. It's a shame more of us don't speak it, but it's not what you'd call a choice.
@@jimsbooksreadingandstuff do you lament the loss of Georgian writing to the Russian literary canon? Surely that followed your Icelandic poets into obscurity?
The distinctiveness of Irish writing is due in large part to a struggle to express (mainly in a foreign tongue) the severing of ourselves from our native culture. I know your comment wasn't meant in bad faith, it was largely praise of Irish writing but suggesting colonialism is the price to pay for inclusion in the colonisers canon is not the road to go down.
@@SirChopman01 Georgia loves her poets but they are largely unknown outside Georgia because they write in Georgian and poetry is damaged in translation. In poetry the sound of the words is as important as the meaning and the Georgian language is not a European language. English is a mongrel tongue with a Germanic base provided by the Angles, Saxons and Jutes to which was added Latin from the church, Danish from the Vikings and French from the Normans and then liberally sprinkled with vocabulary from numerous sources. English is not really native to England. Now it is becoming the global language by default because the Americans chose to speak it rather than their own native tongues like Cherokee. One of the most successful authors of recent years Nino Haratischvili who Eric interviewed wrote the Eighth Life in German. Like the Irish there has been a huge diaspora from Georgia.
You do have Irish eyes
I'd love to see you give a brutal takedown of Ulysses. Why is jj just just a Lil b.? Y is he overrated? Should anyone waste their time on Dubliners? From one mc to another. U go bro