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I loved Academy Street by Mary Costello.

10 replies

sprout44 · 18/03/2015 20:03

I just finished reading this lovely book, its quite short but very powerful and they writing is so good, very similar to Colm Tobins Nora Webster and a bit like We are not ourselves. It may be a little too deep and dark fro some of you but i would recommend it.

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DuchessofMalfi · 18/03/2015 20:31

I read it a couple of months ago and really enjoyed it too.

I thought it was going to go over similar ground to Brooklyn by Colm Toibin, but it quickly diverged and found its own voice. I think I preferred Academy Street. All too short, though.

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Londonbug1 · 18/03/2015 21:35

I loved it as well.
It really resonated with me.
I am a sucker for any misery Irish reads William Trevor, john McCann. Joseph o,Connor,and Edna Obrien. All are so affecting

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thehumanjam · 18/03/2015 21:37

It resonated with me too. I loved it.

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sprout44 · 19/03/2015 08:50

Its a pity it was so short, it finished so quickly and i was left wanting more. I highly recommend Colm McCann and the one i mentioned before We are not ourselves by Matthew Thomas, a much longer read but so good i did not even feel it as i was so absorbed in it.

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DuchessofMalfi · 19/03/2015 16:15

I love I Rishton literature. Some of the best novels I've read recently have been from Irish novelists. I'd recommend not just Colm Toibin but also Donal Ryan. The Spinning Heart and The Thing About December are amazing.

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DuchessofMalfi · 19/03/2015 16:16

Autocorrect fail yet again

That should read Irish literature

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sprout44 · 22/03/2015 19:19

I did read both of Donal Ryans books but for some reason i was not so impressed. As i have suffered here in Ireland through this recession it did ring through with what went on with the construction industry but i found some of it a bit crass . I much prefer the likes of Colm Tobin and John Mcgahern. Niall Williams is another great one and John Boyne of course The history of loneliness is his latest and its a lovely read. I too am a sucker for the Irish misery story but only if its well written and has beautiful prose. It was years ago but i detested Anne Enright;s The Gathering, it was just too deep and unsettling.

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hollyisalovelyname · 19/04/2015 10:37

sprout I disliked Anne Enright's The Gathering too.
I loved Star of the Sea by Sinéad O' Connor's brother ( whose first name escapes me- apologies)

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Biscuitsneeded · 19/04/2015 10:40

Joseph O'Connor, and yes, was just about to say how brilliant Star of the Sea was!