A History of the Irish Short Story

by Heather Ingman

Overview

Though the short story is often regarded as central to the Irish canon, this text was the first comprehensive study of the genre for many years. Heather Ingman traces the development of the modern short story in Ireland from its beginnings in the nineteenth century to the present day. Her study analyses the material circumstances surrounding publication, examining the role of magazines and editors in shaping the form. Ingman incorporates recent critical thinking on the short story, traces international connections, and gives a central part to Irish women's short stories. Each chapter concludes with a detailed analysis of key stories from the period discussed, featuring Joyce, Edna O'Brien and John McGahern, among others. With its comprehensive bibliography and biographies of authors, this volume will be a key work of reference for scholars and students both of Irish fiction and of the modern short story as a genre.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521867245
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	05/14/2009
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	6.18(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.79(d)

About the Author

Heather Ingman is Adjunct Lecturer of English at Trinity College, Dublin.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction; 2. The nineteenth century: nation and short story in the making; Readings: William Carleton and Emily Lawless; 3. Fin de siècle visions: Irish short fiction at the turn of the century; Readings: W. B. Yeats and George Egerton; 4. The modern Irish short story: Moore and Joyce; Readings: James Joyce; 5. 1920–39: years of transition; Readings: Frank O'Connor and Norah Hoult; 6. 1940–59: isolation; Readings: Mary Lavin and Sean O'Faolain; 7. 1960–79: time, memory and imagination; Readings: William Trevor and Edna O'Brien; 8. 1980 to the present: changing identities; Readings: John McGahern and Eilis Ni Dhuibhne; Biographical glossary; Bibliographic essay.

Editorial Reviews

Review of the hardback: 'This volume will be a key work in the history of Irish literature.' Irish Post

From the Publisher