It Was a Very Good Year to Be an Irish Author
A list-topping epic, buzzy BookTok novelette, and Booker Prize are some of the latest accolades of Irish novelists.
Ever since the Rooney-sance started in 2017, the popularity of modern Irish literature has been on the rise. As with any trend cycle, this happens: Authors of a certain region distill cultural movements within their motherland’s landscape, and produce work that captures international readers’ attention. This year, Literary Fiction Fairies planted their flag into Ireland’s craggy terrain, with novelists walking with top literary prizes, critical accolades, and BookTok fervor.
Most recently, Irish author, Paul Lynch was awarded the Booker Prize, the pinnacle prize in fiction, for “Prophet Song,” a dystopian novel that peels back the layers of suburban trust and authenticity. Meanwhile, “The Bee Sting,” by another Paul — Murray, in this case — topped pretty much every book review and trade’s year-end best list. And last, Claire Keegan basically broke BookTok with the craze over her Chekhovian novelettes.
Riddled with its hefty share of tense political history, war, and folklore, Ireland is teeming with topics for authors to investigate. Wonderfully, there’s an ample list of writers who have done just that, providing readers with books frothing with drama, wonder, and everyday life. To get started, pick up one (or several!) of the below Irish titles to enjoy just in time for some cozy relaxation.
8 Irish Novels for Cozy, Lazy Days
“Prophet Song” - Paul Lynch
“The Bee Sting” - Paul Murray
“Small Things Like These” - Claire Keegan
“A Week in Winter” - Maeve Binchy
“Normal People” - Sally Rooney
“Transatlantic” - Colum McCann
“Old God’s Time” - Sebastian Barry
“The Wren, The Wren” - Anne Enright