Modern Irish Authors for St. Patrick’s Day

I’ve been in love with Ireland ever since I was little and believed in fairies. Does that explain why I gravitate toward Irish writers? It seemed like a fairy trick last year when I’d start a novel and realize, “Another Irish author! How interesting!”

This month, in the spirit of celebrating Irish history and culture, it feels quite appropriate to highlight a few titles within this trend.

The Wren, the Wren by Anne Enright 

Within the first few pages, I found myself looking for other Enright titles available at the library, already wanting to read more. I’m the type of reader who likes books that are less plot-oriented and more vibe-oriented, books that are character-driven but leisurely-paced and full of everyday things. This book pulled me right in.

The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue 

I was impressed by this one. It’s considered “relationship fiction", and I’d expected love and humor (it really is quite funny!), but I hadn’t expected it to navigate such serious reproductive healthcare issues in such an engaging and thoughtful way. I found myself drawing comparisons with Annie Ernaux’s powerfully moving memoir, Happening, with similar subject matter. 

Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan

I read this when I was sick, and it gleams in my brain like a fever dream. The narrator’s obsessions are so keen that I still think of this book often, like when I floss, or when I’m looking for something to do and think, “Let’s just get apples and walk around.”

Stumble upon these Irish reads and more at Bexley Public Library!