Shenanigans

by Sarah Champion

A collection of darkly humorous tales from the wrong side of midnight, by 20 young Irish writers. It shuns Ireland's traditional literary topics to present Ireland after dark - from Dublin's gay clubs and stag parties to Christmas in Tipperary on LSD and seedy transactions in a Belfast hotel.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Mira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best collection of short stories I've read in a while. Particularly the slow-motion story of a mixed tape, a couple, and a car crash. Shocking, cool and amazing. Simple as that.

[Mitchan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Selection of quirky stories but different authors all based in Ireland. Very Trainspotting coded. On this second reading I managed to read 5 of the 19, they weren't terrible but I have so much else to read I didn't feel like I would be missing out by no finishing it. I do prefer a short story usually so maybe I will dip back in.

[Beatrix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a great fan of anthologies featuring the works of young/hopeful/(still?) no-name authors because usually I'm not patient enough to read half-baked attempts at fiction. But this anthology is different. And I don't like it, because there are several very good stories here by authors whose work I might never come across again - and this makes me sad.

So yes, this is a good anthology, full of stories which are either dreadfully dark, or which induce painful laughter. I'd be happy to read a lot more of fresh Irish fiction - preferably immediately.