What distinguishes contemporary Irish writing? What are its chief thematic preoccupations and formal innovations? Who are its leading authors, what are their chosen subjects and who were their influences? How are contemporary Irish literary works received by their readers, nationally and internationally, and how can the ongoing diversity in literary texts, and in readers’ reactions, be studied, and interpreted? Is contemporary writing defined by its relevance, its artistry, or its socio-political concerns? How do writers compose and structure their works?
This module will introduce readers to a range of contemporary Irish writings, spanning non-fiction, the novel, short stories and poetry, closely examining the choice of theme, the significance of form, and the nature of the works' impact. In analysing the depiction of contemporary Irish urban and rural society in contemporary fiction, we will engage with ongoing debates concerning the function and importance of literary representation in the context of social crisis and change. The interrogation of irishness and identity in the course texts will be examined as will writers' preoccupation with the transnational and the global.
Workshop discussions, supporting the core lectures, will also examine how these contemporary writings have been received to date by readers and critics, and trace the ongoing processes whereby the reputations of texts and their writers are formed and shaped. Each workshop will also incorporate formal exercises designed to ensure that first year students acquire the necessary skills for studying English: writing and close-reading; note-taking, research, and referencing; and effective use of electronic resources such as online journals, dedicated websites, reviews in news media.
Kevin Barry, Dark Lies the Island (Jonathan Cape, 2012)
Oein DeBhairduin, Why the Moon Travels (Skein Press, 2020)
Anne Enright, Actress (Jonathan Cape, 2020)
Nithy Kasa, Palm Wine Tapper and the Boy at Jericho (Doire Press, 2022)
Mark Roper, Beyond Stillness (Dedalus Press, 2022)
Note: These titles are available for purchase in the university bookshop, with a discount available for the course bundle, and are generally available in bookstores, on ebook or borrowable from your local library.
It is strongly recommended to join your local library now if you are not already a member and talk to your local librarian about ordering the course books by inter branch loan if your branch does not have a copy.