A History of the Irish Short Story
Cambridge University Press, 5/14/2009
EAN 9780521867245, ISBN10: 052186724X
Hardcover, 336 pages, 23.5 x 15.7 x 2 cm
Language: English
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.
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.