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The Late Night Writers Club: A Graphic Novel
A talented but annoying Debut Author, suffering from writer’s block and mysterious headaches, ghosted by his girlfriend and on his last chance with his bartender job, takes refuge in the National Library of Ireland, hoping for some last-minute inspiration within its hallowed walls.
Tortured by literary inadequacy and disappointed love, can he somehow absorb the famous modesty of Yeats, the wit of Edgeworth, the charm of Binchy, the wisdom of Heaney? But a weird twist of fate or perhaps a guiding hand reveals all is not what it seems in the library after dark, and The Debut Author soon be careful what you wish for.
In rich and abundant illustrations, Annie West tells a rowdy story of artistic struggle, ego and unexpected kindness. You will never look at the Irish Literary Canon in the same way again.
Tortured by literary inadequacy and disappointed love, can he somehow absorb the famous modesty of Yeats, the wit of Edgeworth, the charm of Binchy, the wisdom of Heaney? But a weird twist of fate or perhaps a guiding hand reveals all is not what it seems in the library after dark, and The Debut Author soon be careful what you wish for.
In rich and abundant illustrations, Annie West tells a rowdy story of artistic struggle, ego and unexpected kindness. You will never look at the Irish Literary Canon in the same way again.
120 pages, Hardcover
Published October 21, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 26, 2025
An aspiring debut writer is suffering writer’s block and his girlfriend (amongst others!) is ghosting him.
The Late Night Writers Club is, if I’m totally honest, completely insane and I absolutely loved it! I read it through rapidly, simply enjoying the surface story. There are jokes, puns and quotations that are incredibly funny and the speech between the various author members of the Late Night Writers Club in the library is packed with witticism. I found myself snorting aloud on occasion. I loved the concept that the protagonist is highly irritating and really not the protagonist at all as he is outshone and out talked by the famous ghosts.
However, it was the second reading that made me realise just what a fabulous book this is. Of course, some of the literary greats like Shakespeare, James Joyce and Oscar Wilde are instantly recognisable, but other references such as those folk from Greek myths are less familiar so that not only is The Late Night Writers Club thoroughly entertaining, it’s educational and so intelligently constructed.
But best of all is the absolute, scalpel sharp, insight into writing and the publishing industry, from (quite literally here) ghost writing, through social media spats to professional rivalry. There’s writer’s block and procrastination. There’s consideration of who might be the best writer, eponymous branding and author book signings. What makes the book so engaging is the fact that every aspect is recognisable and relatable to anyone who has ever considered writing as a profession.
My third reading of The Late Night Writers Club was to peruse the fantastic illustrations in more detail. I can’t begin to imagine the time and effort this book must have taken. I thought the colour palette of rich browns, greens and reds gave a traditional feel in keeping with the historical characters we encounter. But beyond that there is so much more to uncover. Take a look at the library curator’s name badge, for example, or the person advertising get togethers for shy people in one of the newspapers or the political jokes… I could continue, but you’ll need to read the book to discover them for yourself and I’m sure there’s even more for me to find on subsequent readings.
Utterly bonkers, witty and fabulously illustrated, The Late Night Writers Club is a universally appealing book that every reader and every established or aspiring writer will relate to wholeheartedly. I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Late Night Writers Club is, if I’m totally honest, completely insane and I absolutely loved it! I read it through rapidly, simply enjoying the surface story. There are jokes, puns and quotations that are incredibly funny and the speech between the various author members of the Late Night Writers Club in the library is packed with witticism. I found myself snorting aloud on occasion. I loved the concept that the protagonist is highly irritating and really not the protagonist at all as he is outshone and out talked by the famous ghosts.
However, it was the second reading that made me realise just what a fabulous book this is. Of course, some of the literary greats like Shakespeare, James Joyce and Oscar Wilde are instantly recognisable, but other references such as those folk from Greek myths are less familiar so that not only is The Late Night Writers Club thoroughly entertaining, it’s educational and so intelligently constructed.
But best of all is the absolute, scalpel sharp, insight into writing and the publishing industry, from (quite literally here) ghost writing, through social media spats to professional rivalry. There’s writer’s block and procrastination. There’s consideration of who might be the best writer, eponymous branding and author book signings. What makes the book so engaging is the fact that every aspect is recognisable and relatable to anyone who has ever considered writing as a profession.
My third reading of The Late Night Writers Club was to peruse the fantastic illustrations in more detail. I can’t begin to imagine the time and effort this book must have taken. I thought the colour palette of rich browns, greens and reds gave a traditional feel in keeping with the historical characters we encounter. But beyond that there is so much more to uncover. Take a look at the library curator’s name badge, for example, or the person advertising get togethers for shy people in one of the newspapers or the political jokes… I could continue, but you’ll need to read the book to discover them for yourself and I’m sure there’s even more for me to find on subsequent readings.
Utterly bonkers, witty and fabulously illustrated, The Late Night Writers Club is a universally appealing book that every reader and every established or aspiring writer will relate to wholeheartedly. I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed it.
September 13, 2023
This graphic novel came to my attention when the author joined The Rick O Shea Book Club, of which I am a long time member. The title caught my eye immediately, and when I saw it was set in Dublin I went straight on the libraries app and reserved it. It must have been on the shelf because I had it in my hands not two days later.
I thought this was a great read, and I flew through it. Once I had curled up with it I couldn’t pull myself away. The caricatures of some of Ireland’s literary greats are fantastic. The banter between them is brilliant backing up the plot of under-performing artist in great fashion. The artist also brings new life to the streets of Dublin, and to one of it’s pubs in particular.
A definite “recommended” from me, especially for fans of Irish literary greats
I thought this was a great read, and I flew through it. Once I had curled up with it I couldn’t pull myself away. The caricatures of some of Ireland’s literary greats are fantastic. The banter between them is brilliant backing up the plot of under-performing artist in great fashion. The artist also brings new life to the streets of Dublin, and to one of it’s pubs in particular.
A definite “recommended” from me, especially for fans of Irish literary greats
February 6, 2025
if you have spoken to me in the past two or three weeks you have heard the tale of my increasingly frustrating longest-ever wait for my interlibrary loan on this. and you have likely thought to yourself, if she doesn't like this book, she is going to be soo mad. luckily, i enjoyed it!!! i definitely didn't get all the jokes, but i didn't expect to, so when i did get one, it was very delightful:) (my favorite was when yeats went to get the cigarettes and joyce said he likes to go play with the bees on the neighboring rooftops. "it's like his very own urban bee-loud glade") and i really really liked the little details and background jokes a lot. like in the titles of books and stories in the newspapers. in particular i really loved the spread page of st. stephen's green and the nli and the buldings around them and the 2 little buses which i have decided are the 39a. unfortunately it took a bit of wikipedia and re-reading the middle to really get the significance of the ending spread (i want to call it a post-credits scene!) but! enjoyed overall nonetheless. i really liked the petty beef between wilde and yeats. it was super fun to read.
March 22, 2025
A interesting little graphic novel, about a man trying to finish his great novel before he passes away (even if he doesn't quite understand that yet).
A number of the references flew over my head, but it was a pleasant little read.
A number of the references flew over my head, but it was a pleasant little read.
November 17, 2023
Not sure I got all of the 'in' jokes but enjoyed it just the same. Illustrations are very engaging as are the illustrious authors.
April 25, 2024
Well I don’t have a vast knowledge of Irish Lit. and that made me feel like a missed bits and pieces of the “story” in a way. Enjoyed the graphics, was really fun and engaging.
August 20, 2023
I saw mention of this new book online and immediately loved the title and concept. And, my, but this book is just gorgeous! Dublin has never looked so vibrant and colourful. It was an unique experience for me to see familiar landmarks like the National Library and Grafton Street in a graphic novel, including the gents in the National Library. I hadn't known that they were the same as the ladies, and therefore, the nicest public toilets in Dublin's fair city. The drawings are just beautiful, I would gladly purchase any of these pages to be framed. And what reader could resist a story about a writer's struggle to finish a book and being able to ask the likes of Joyce, Yeats and Maria Edgeworth for help. It reminded me of Woody Allen's 'Midnight in Paris'. So, I hope there will be many more graphic novels from Annie West.
December 10, 2024
A graphic novel about a young writer unable to finish his first book due to writer’s block and heavy headaches. He goes to the National Library in Dublin looking for inspiration but what he finds instead is a gathering of the late greats of Irish literature meeting there at night. This is a beautiful, funny, somewhat dark, and inspired book. Although I’m sure I missed a lot because I just don’t know enough about Irish literature, I still thoroughly enjoyed both the images and the text.
September 23, 2024
A clever book. A young author has writer's block and meets a group of writers in the National Gallery of Ireland. I liked the interpretation of all the Irish writers particularly W.B. Yeats 🤣.
The author was late in every sense of the word.
The author was late in every sense of the word.
December 14, 2024
The illustrations in this were great. Really captured Dublin properly and there's lots of little details that you have to really look to see everything properly. I did feel like I missed a lot of the jokes because I'm not very well read on classics but I enjoyed it anyways.
February 2, 2025
Яка ж це мила мальовка, така комфортна і смішна історія. Поставила б 4, якби не зрозуміло для чого згадано російське слово від автора “Улісс”, буквально фундаментатора потоку свідомости, навіщо легенді одягати валянки?
November 3, 2023
Breezy and enjoyable. Though I'm not sure if I was completely enamored with the central character's arc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2023
Great bit of fun. Not just the usual male suspects. Beautiful depictions of National Library of Ireland. Loads of detail in the drawings, which makes you want to savor them.
December 18, 2024
This fun graphic novel that takes the reader with a fledgling author to the National Library in Dublin to commune with the ghosts of Irish literary giants. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews