Classic Irish Short Stories
by Frank O'Connor (Editor)
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From its origins in the folk tale, through its evolution in response to changing social and political conditions to its current form, the Irish short story has retained its own distinct and unique form. The finest writers of their time are represented here by their best work, showing thevariety of style and approach within the genre. From George Moore's masterpiece, `Homesickness', and the warmth and humour of James Stephens, to the romantic eloquence of Bryan MacMahon, these stories capture show more the Irish people, their way of life, mythology and history. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
This review has been crossposted from my blog Review from The Cosy Dragon Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me.
This is a literature text for one of my Arts units, Irish Literature. For that reason, I haven't actually read all of the short stories within the book. Frank O'Connor is only the editor, not writer of the short stories. There is a good range, particularly of women Irish writers.
The short stories are carefully crafted, and often filled with symbols and metaphors. They are a great expose on 'Irish Life'. A bit of context regarding the famine, and world war II would be helpful, but not essential. You can still appreciate the stories as great Irish Literature.
While reading I wasn't exactly concentrating on the joy of show more reading - these had an exam on them. I would love to go back at a later time when I'm not so stressed and reread more in the collection. If you didn't like James Joyce, there is still a good chance you may like these, because there is simply so much variety in style. show less
This is a literature text for one of my Arts units, Irish Literature. For that reason, I haven't actually read all of the short stories within the book. Frank O'Connor is only the editor, not writer of the short stories. There is a good range, particularly of women Irish writers.
The short stories are carefully crafted, and often filled with symbols and metaphors. They are a great expose on 'Irish Life'. A bit of context regarding the famine, and world war II would be helpful, but not essential. You can still appreciate the stories as great Irish Literature.
While reading I wasn't exactly concentrating on the joy of show more reading - these had an exam on them. I would love to go back at a later time when I'm not so stressed and reread more in the collection. If you didn't like James Joyce, there is still a good chance you may like these, because there is simply so much variety in style. show less
An excellent selection of good, old-fashioned short stories by some of Ireland's best authors.
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Author Information
An Irish master of the short story, Frank O'Connor was born Michael O'Donovan in Cork. It is not surprising to learn in the first part of his autobiography, An Only Child (1961), that he took his adored mother's name. O'Connor's absorbing interest was the literary treasury of Ireland. He labored tirelessly over masterful translations of ancient show more Gaelic works. O'Connor wrote the well-received A Short History of Irish Literature: A Backward Look and edited an anthology of prose and poetry, A Book of Ireland (1959), which contains some of his own translations from the Gaelic. His Shakespeare's Progress (1960) is an appraisal of the bard. In The Lonely Voice: A Study of the Short Story (1963), he examines the work of those he considers the great short story writers of the past. The subjects of his own stories are the middle and lower-middle classes of his beloved Ireland. In his last years, O'Connor lived mostly in the United States, where he taught at Harvard and Northwestern universities. He passed away in 1966. The Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award which is named in his honor because he devoted much of his work to this writing form began in 2005. It is an international literary award presented for the best short story collection. The prize amount is $25,000 (as of 2012). Each year, roughly sixty books are longlisted, with either four or six books shortlisted, the final decision is made by three judges. In 2014 the winner was Collin Barrett for his work Young Skins. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Contains
Is an abridged version of
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Classic Irish Short Stories
- Original publication date
- 1957
- First words
- He told the doctor he was due in the bar-room at eight o'clock in the morning; the bar-room was in a slum in the Bowery; and he had only been able to keep himself in health by getting up at five o'clock and going for long w... (show all)alks in the Central Park.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Queenie, in her bed facing the window, lay with her face turned sideways, smiling, one hand lightly against her cheek.
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- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.80)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 3
- ASINs
- 1
