The Oxford Book of Irish Short Stories

by WilliamTrevor (Editor)

• Used

  Paperback
  1991

  $3.25

  Ireland has always been a nation of story-tellers: tall stories, simple stories, stories of mystery and wonder, of love and violence form part of Irish conversation as naturally as passing the time of day. What began as both entertainment and communication through the spoken word grew into a celebrated literary form. This volume demonstrates that development, from the early folktales of the oral tradition (here translated from the Irish) through Oliver Goldsmith and Maria Edgeworth to James Joyce and Liam O'Flaherty and the rising stars of the next generation. All the stories in this selection have been influenced by a culture that made much of the fiction it could best absorb . They are the distillation of an essence , a medium in which portraiture thrives. Some derive their strength from their brevity, others require a considerable spread to achieve their effect. The editor does not eschew the long short story, as distinct from the novella, so George Moore, William Carleton, Sheridan Le Fanu, Seamus O'Kelly and James Joyce are all given space. The roots of the modern short story in Ireland are firmly embedded in the soil of the past, and in this anthology echoes and influences pervade individual stories to enrich our understanding of this genre.

• New

  Hardcover
  1989

  $129.82

  Ireland has always been a nation of story-tellers - tall stories, simple stories, stories of mystery and wonder, love and violence - and Irish short-story writers are perhaps the most talented in the world. This magnificent anthology chronicles the development of a rich literary tradition from the earliest folktales to James Joyce, Liam O'Flaherty, and the rising stars of a new generation. William Trevor, described as 'perhaps the finest short-story writer in the English language', has collected 45 stories representing the best of Irish short fiction: He includes several longer stories such as the masterly 'Albert Nobbs' by George Moore and Seumas O'Kelly's 'The Weaver's Grave' which shows these writers at the peak of their form; and there are also distinguished contributions from Oliver Goldsmith, Maria Edgeworth, William Carleton, Sheridan Le Fanu, Sean O'Faolain, Frank O'Connor, and Elizabeth Bowen among others. This splendid addition to the popular Oxford Books series will be welcomed by everyone who enjoys short stories.