Anne Enright: Dublin, a Writer's City manages to be compendious in a small space, busy as the streets themselves and true to the remarkable spirit of a town
. Each chapter details an “emotional atmosphere”, and is lightly held together by a shifting and ineffable sense of place.
One of the strongest threads holding this gyroscopic study together is a conversation between Meehan and Eavan Boland, one poet from the north inner city, the other from the apparently unliterary suburbs, where much of the actual writing got done. The sameness and privacy of suburban houses also offered new possibilities for dislocation, allowing writers to escape Ireland even as they were living in it, or remembering it.
Dublin, A Writer’s City is full of these welcome, uncanny returns. There is George Moore making “a kind of creative havoc” in Ely Place alongside his neighbour Oliver St John Gogarty, not to mention Bram Stoker’s brother a few doors down. To every house a writer, a character, a connection. You might say that wealthy, old Dublin was as bad as the internet, these days – everyone was scribbling. Everyone thought they had something to say.
By moving away from Joyce and the old iconographies, Morash allows a new balance to emerge. It is good to see Leland Bardwell claiming her place in late Baggotonia, with boho salon to match that of Mary Lavin in Lad Lane.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Anne Enright on Dublin, A Writer’s City: every house a writer, a character, a connection. Everyone thought they had something to sayMorash works a fluid historical axis, moving with ease from Danish traders to the wide streets commission, from James Stephens to Roddy Doyle
Read more »
New public transport fare structure to avoid 'cliff-edge' outside Dublin | NewstalkA new Outer Dublin Commuter Zone, extending to approximately 50km from Dublin city centre, will be created
Read more »
Former south Dublin GP to be sentenced for possession and distribution of explicit child imagesA former GP will be sentenced next Wednesday for the possession and distribution of child abuse material
Read more »
Matt Williams: How Toulouse can win against Leinster in DublinToulouse coach Ugo Mola will want to avoid the tactical mistakes France made in the high-tempo Six Nations clash which suited a Leinster-inspired Ireland down to the ground
Read more »
Developer Greg Kavanagh wants court to restrain sale of €2m houseThe action relates to a property in Clonskeagh, Dublin via IrishTimesBiz
Read more »