March Reading Challenge

[Mary Anne, Reference Librarian]

For March, how about reading a book by an Irish author? One I've been meaning to get to is Dermot Healy, said to be Ireland's greatest living author. His latest book is Long Time No See.
Many other Irish authors are available: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Everyone thinks of James Joyce, but he's not exactly easy reading. Try a new author for a nice Irish flavor!

[Mary Anne, Reference Librarian]

I read Long Time No See by Dermot Healy and really liked it. It's a little tricky for Americans because there are a lot of Irish expressions and turns of phrase. Despite that, this story is sad and beautifully written, about a teenage boy and his family in a small Irish village.It's about love and family, and caring for others. Highly recommended!

[Tracy]

I did try a new author: Elizabeth Bowen, The Death of the Heart.

I didn't expect to be bored, bored, bored, but I was. My hunch is her post-Virginia Woolf literary style is too far from my contemporary sensibility (in what I expect from a novel) to be "readable" and yet too close to hold historical interest for me.

But it was a good idea for a challenge. I'm glad you enjoyed your book. I'm putting it on my list.

[Mary Anne, Reference Librarian]

Tracy - Sorry that Elizabeth Bowen wasn't very interesting, but it's always good to try someone new. At least you'll probably know you should avoid her in the future! I had read in a review a while back that Dermot Healy is one of Ireland's greatest living authors, so I've been meaning to read this for a while. I think you'll like it!