A Few Irish Reads

I thought I would list a few Irish favorites since today is St. Patrick's Day, but I have to give credit to Reading Matters where I got the idea--Kim posted her favorites a couple of days ago.  This is a bit of a mishmash really.  Some are mysteries, one is a biography, and the rest are very good novels.  Not all the authors are Irish I have to admit.  There are a couple Americans thrown in there as well, who have set their novels in Ireland.  Some I read ages ago, but I remember enjoying all of them. Cheers!

• Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy (story of four friends set in the 1950s--very readable--it was made into a movie starring Minnie Driver)
• The Last September by Elizabeth Bowen (a coming of age story set in the period before Irish Independence--Bowen is an excellent author--this was also made into a movie)
• The Dower House by Annabel Davis-Goff (Anglo-Irish author--I think I have read all her novels, at least that have been published in the US, and think she is another excellent writer--her novels tend to be written from a different perspective!)
• Barrytown Trilogy by Roddy Doyle (three books set in working class Dublin about the Rabbitte family--great books--I definitely will reread them.  Commitments, and The Snapper have been made into movies)
• Haunted Ground by Erin Hart  (Hart is from Minnesota, but she has written two mysteries about an American pathologist working in Ireland)
• Watermelon by Marian Keyes (chiclit--but sometimes it's just what you need.  I have read quite a few of Keyes's novels--usually quite entertaining--various family members in Watermelon show up in her other novels as well)
• Nature of Water and Air by Regina BcBride (I really like this author--this is another coming of age story.  Her writing is really lyrical, and this story is very unusual.  I have her newer novel and am looking forward to reading it!)
• Carn by Patrick McCabe (okay, this is one that I read ages and ages ago, so I can't give you details.  I do know the author has been shortlisted for awards and gets very good reviews, though)
• Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt (a biography--you are probably already familiar with this book--heartbreakingly sad to read about such a poverty stricken family..and yes, also made into a movie)
• Country Girls Trilogy by Edna O'Brien (three books in one about friends Kate and Baba.  This was banned in Ireland. I read this one awhile ago also--I remember that it was good, but sort of depressing)
• Becoming Finola by Suzanne Strempek  Shea (Shea is an American author, and usually her characters are Polish!) 
• Felicia's Journey by William Trevor (set in England, this is the story of an Irish girl who gets entangled with a psychopath--also made into a movie, but I have never seen this one)

Comments

[Quillhill]

Good topic. All I did to markt he day was eat a bowl of Lucky Charms with Guinness instead of milk, and chase it with a shamrock shake.

[Amanda]

Neat thanks for the list. I read Circle of Friends awhile back and thought it was a nice quick read.

Amanda :)

[kimbofo]

An interesting list. Glad you found my post inspiring.

I read Felicia's Journey a few years ago and thought it was wonderful. I keep meaning to read more William Trevor.

[iliana]

I really liked Erin Hart's novels. They are just so readable. Like Kim, I need to read more William Trevor. Have only read Felicia's Journey and thought it was wonderful.