The Eggman and the Fairies

by Hubert Butler

'He has all the essayist's a clear, strong prose, a fascination with everyday affairs and their significance sub specie aternitatis, a readiness to generalize, the ability to digress without wandering from the point, to inform without pedantry and enlighten without condescension, to give us pleasure simply by sharing his thoughts.' -- Hugh Bredin This volume contains an essential selection of Hubert Butler's essays on Ireland, written over four reflective, autobiographical pieces which describe a local habitation and a place, but gravitate unerringly towards the great issues of the day - neutrality, partition, censorship, religion, nationalism. With his incisive considerations of individual and political identity, Butler joins the great tradition of Irish libertarians going back to Swift and Burke.

Hardcover

First published July 1, 2012

Reviews

[T P Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice collection of essays. It suffers a little from being a selection rather than a comprehensive collection. They make for a different view of Ireland and Irish twentieth century life. The autobiographical fragments are very engaging.