In honour of St. Patrick’s Day this weekend, we’d like to share with you our five favourite Irish authors and why we think you should check them out.
#5
Name: Bram Stoker
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Notable works: Dracula
First encounter: Grade 12
Why you should read: Dracula is a classic Gothic horror novel and established many conventions of subsequent vampire fantasy. The layout of the novel as letters, newspaper articles and diary entries is engaging and gives the reader both enough and not enough information, driving them to keep going. It’s a story that has stood the test of time, being still printed today and having inspired many films, plays, television shows and more.
#4
Name: Emma Donoghue
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Notable works: Room, The Wonder, Frog Music
First encounter: First year University
Why you should read: Stephen King reads her books – I’d say that’s a pretty big endorsement! Her work is captivating and difficult to put down (which is why I generally don’t). You’ll become deeply attached to the characters as they make their way through their pre-written destinies. I love her ability to make historical stories new again.
#3
Name: Colm Toibin
Location: Enniscorthy, Ireland
Notable works: Brooklyn
First encounter: A screening of film adaptation of Brooklyn in Sechelt, BC
Why you should read: I can’t say enough about Toibin’s ability to create a dazzling and consuming story. Brooklyn took my breath away and had me deeply devoted to his characters. This story of cultures coming together in the new world, and what happens in the old one, is a great insight to what it was like for immigrants to North America. I just love historical fiction like this and have been recommending it nonstop.
#2
Name: C.S Lewis
Location:
Notable works: The Chronicles of Narnia
First encounter: Grade 2
Why you should read: If you haven’t read these novels, or at least seen any of the film adaptations, you have been missing out. These were my first foray into longer, more sophisticated novels and I couldn’t get enough. The believability of his stories is astounding – I was convinced I would also one day walk through my closet to find myself in another world. The characters are surprising, the settings are magnificent and the stories themselves are magical. Do yourself a favour and take a trip into Narnia.
#1
Name: Oscar Wilde
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Notable works: The Importance of Being Earnest
First encounter: Grade 12 English Lit
Why you should read: I don’t remember that last time I laughed as hard as I did at Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. The jokes are clever, the characters are oblivious and the pot is unique. It’s a story that has stood the test of time, being accessible to many different groups rather than only serious literature buffs. Both stage and screen performances in recent times are wonderful, which is a rare treat.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from all of us at Mecha Panda Publishing!
– Amanda Tipper, Marketing