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Selected Stories: Eilis Ni Dhuibhne
This volume collects new short stories from one of Ireland’s leading writers in both the Irish and English languages. Eilis Ni Dhuibhne’s stories are widely acclaimed for their acute perception of Irish women’s lives, the power of her verbal economy, and her skillful and unique use of both humor and the fantastic.
200 pages, Paperback
Published September 29, 2017
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About the author
Éilís Ní Dhuibhne
43 books51 followersÉilís Ní Dhuibhne is a writer and critic. She was born in Dublin in 1954. She attended University College Dublin, where she studied Pure English, then Folklore. She was awarded the UCD Entrance scholarship for English, and two post graduate scholarships in Folklore. In 1978-9 she studied at the University of Copenhagen, and in 1982 was awarded a PhD from the National University of Ireland. She has worked in the Department of Irish Folklore in UCD, and for many years as a curator in the National Library of Ireland. Also a teacher of Creative Writing, she has been Writer Fellow at Trinity College and is currently Writer Fellow at UCD. She is a member of Aosdána.
Eilis Ni Dhuibhne is also known as Eilis Almquist and Elizabeth O'Hara.
Eilis Ni Dhuibhne is also known as Eilis Almquist and Elizabeth O'Hara.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 27, 2017
Selected Stories is a collection of twelve short stories written in spare, understated prose that resonates with poignancy and perception. Many are set in or link back to the same small corner of Gaeilge speaking north-west Ireland. Time frames differ but the characters harbour familiar hopes, joys and despairs. These are tales of small yet complex lives as lived inside individual’s heads where experiences are curated to fit personal ideals. Resulting disappointments or absurdities are sympathetically rendered. There are few surprises as the plots develop but portrayals are replete with insight.
The collection opens with ‘Blood and Water’ which explores a family’s treatment of an aunt, regarded as odd yet fortunate to have been born in a time and place that accepted atypical behaviour without need for scientific labels or state sanctioned treatment. There are kindnesses and cruelties dealt. Neglect is passive if selfish, discomfortingly familiar.
Family and how members regard each other’s behaviours is a recurring theme. Duty visits assuage guilt more than helping the afflicted. Those who leave are expected to desire a return, their reasoning regarded as insignificant. The difficulty of understanding other’s feelings shines through.
In ‘The Pale Gold of Alaska’ two sisters travel to America to take up positions as housemaids. The younger decides en route that she will marry instead. Particular challenges of tying one’s life to another are deftly depicted. The sisters believe they have each made the better choice and must thereafter continue to convince themselves.
‘The Day Elvis Presley Died’ explores a relationship between an Irish and an American student on holiday with his parents. The first shine of lust has worn away revealing still unacknowledged differences.
“She heard him, and understood what he was saying. But she went on imagining another story for herself”
‘The Banana Boat’ is also set during a holiday and explores the precariousness of life and randomness of death. It is told from the point of view of a mother trying to involve her teenage boys in family activities, which could too easily go awry.
The latter stories in the collection revolve around writers and their literary world. They explore the value of the craft, the possibility of originality, and how quality can or should be measured.
‘Literary Lunch’ offers an acerbic look at those who select the recipients of grants and prizes. There is sycophancy and favouritism alongside the desire for recognition. Those continually passed over become increasingly venomous. The consequences of revenge are ironically dealt with in the following tale.
‘The Coast of Wales’ provides a fine conclusion, dealing as it does with the impact of a death. Despite the morbid setting and subject matter it is an uplifting read.
These stories are richly satisfying with a voice that is distinctly Irish yet universally relevant. It is fluent, effective storytelling.
The collection opens with ‘Blood and Water’ which explores a family’s treatment of an aunt, regarded as odd yet fortunate to have been born in a time and place that accepted atypical behaviour without need for scientific labels or state sanctioned treatment. There are kindnesses and cruelties dealt. Neglect is passive if selfish, discomfortingly familiar.
Family and how members regard each other’s behaviours is a recurring theme. Duty visits assuage guilt more than helping the afflicted. Those who leave are expected to desire a return, their reasoning regarded as insignificant. The difficulty of understanding other’s feelings shines through.
In ‘The Pale Gold of Alaska’ two sisters travel to America to take up positions as housemaids. The younger decides en route that she will marry instead. Particular challenges of tying one’s life to another are deftly depicted. The sisters believe they have each made the better choice and must thereafter continue to convince themselves.
‘The Day Elvis Presley Died’ explores a relationship between an Irish and an American student on holiday with his parents. The first shine of lust has worn away revealing still unacknowledged differences.
“She heard him, and understood what he was saying. But she went on imagining another story for herself”
‘The Banana Boat’ is also set during a holiday and explores the precariousness of life and randomness of death. It is told from the point of view of a mother trying to involve her teenage boys in family activities, which could too easily go awry.
The latter stories in the collection revolve around writers and their literary world. They explore the value of the craft, the possibility of originality, and how quality can or should be measured.
‘Literary Lunch’ offers an acerbic look at those who select the recipients of grants and prizes. There is sycophancy and favouritism alongside the desire for recognition. Those continually passed over become increasingly venomous. The consequences of revenge are ironically dealt with in the following tale.
‘The Coast of Wales’ provides a fine conclusion, dealing as it does with the impact of a death. Despite the morbid setting and subject matter it is an uplifting read.
These stories are richly satisfying with a voice that is distinctly Irish yet universally relevant. It is fluent, effective storytelling.
October 13, 2019
This book felt more like a punishment than anything else. Each time I was assigned a short story to read, I’d struggle to keep myself attentive and invested in anything that Ní Dhuibhne had to say. Frankly, I couldn’t bring myself to read a full short story in one sitting, and, try as I might, I haven’t a hope of reading any more than the four stories covered in the lectures of my Contemporary Irish Writing module.
Ní Dhuibhne’s writing is voiceless and soulless; her storytelling lacks vivacity and soon leaves the reader feeling bored and disinterested. Her use of language is painfully simple, to the point that I found myself comparing its standard to that of my 9-year-old sister. What I have read of this book made me decidedly regret wasting my time; I refuse to waste even more time to complete it.
Ní Dhuibhne’s writing is voiceless and soulless; her storytelling lacks vivacity and soon leaves the reader feeling bored and disinterested. Her use of language is painfully simple, to the point that I found myself comparing its standard to that of my 9-year-old sister. What I have read of this book made me decidedly regret wasting my time; I refuse to waste even more time to complete it.
October 3, 2023
What a wonderful world to have been part of. I've laughed, considered, learned, gasped and cried. I've loved how she weaved her colourful words to take you on a journey, her journey - your journey of the past, present and future. Her passion and knowledge of describing life lessons to pass on to the reader - you. I have to laugh because most of the stories reminded me of me!
July 26, 2022
For the benefit of those wondering which stories were selected:
Blood and Water
The Flowering
Night of the Fox
Summer Pudding
The Woman With the Fish
The Pale Gold of Alaska
The Day Elvis Presley Died
The Banana Boat
Illumination
Literary Lunch
City of Literature
The Coast of Wales
A fair few of these are contained in Ni Dhuibhne's other collections, with the exception of 'The Woman with the Fish', 'City of Literature' and 'The Coast of Wales'. They're all good stories in my opinion, I might have made a couple of different selections personally but these give a nice introduction to Ni Dhuibhne's work for those who possibly only know her through being forced to read 'Midwife to the Fairies' during their undergrad.
Blood and Water
The Flowering
Night of the Fox
Summer Pudding
The Woman With the Fish
The Pale Gold of Alaska
The Day Elvis Presley Died
The Banana Boat
Illumination
Literary Lunch
City of Literature
The Coast of Wales
A fair few of these are contained in Ni Dhuibhne's other collections, with the exception of 'The Woman with the Fish', 'City of Literature' and 'The Coast of Wales'. They're all good stories in my opinion, I might have made a couple of different selections personally but these give a nice introduction to Ni Dhuibhne's work for those who possibly only know her through being forced to read 'Midwife to the Fairies' during their undergrad.
August 14, 2025
mixed bag - some of them have stuck with me, some parts especially but others felt a bit laboured.
some of the descriptions were very striking, i liked the gweedore girl & the one about the red bicycle. some snatches of life
some of the descriptions were very striking, i liked the gweedore girl & the one about the red bicycle. some snatches of life
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews