The Vintage Book of Contemporary Irish Fiction

by Dermot Bolger (Editor)

This dazzling anthology, edited and introduced by Dermot Bolger, is a splendidly comprehensive and up-to-the-minute collection of the finest recent fiction from a nation of master storytellers. This collection of astonishing breadth reveals a literature of genuine global stature, as ancient as the Irish Sea.

Contributors and stories John Banville, from Mefisto ; Leland Bardwell, "The Hairdresser"; Sebastian Barry, from The Engine of Owl-Light ; Mary Beckett, "Heaven"; Samuel Beckett, "For to End Yet Again"; Sara Berkeley, "The Sky's Gone Out"; Dermot Bolger, "The Journey Home"; Claire Boylan, "Villa Marta"; Shane Connaughton, "Ojus"; Mary Dorcey, "The Husband"; Roddy Doyle, from The Snapper ; Anne Enright, "Men and Angels"; Hugo Hamilton, from Surrogate City ; Dermot Healy, "The Death of Matti Bonner"; Aidan Higgins, from Balcony of Europe ; Desmond Hogan, from A Curious Street ; Jennifer Johnston, from The Christmas Tree ; Neil Jordan, "Last Rights"; Molly Kean, Patrick McCabe, from The Butcher Boy ; Brian Moore, "The Sight"; Edna O'Brien, "What a Sky"; William Trevor, "The Ballroom of Romance"; Val Mulkerns, "Memory and Desire"; Robert McLiam Wilson, from Ripley Bogle , and many more.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Ireland, Literary Fiction, Anthologies, Irish Literature

592 pages, Paperback

First published November 14, 1993

About the author

Dermot Bolger is an Irish novelist, playwright and poet born in Finglas, a suburb of Dublin.

His work is often concerned with the articulation of the experiences of working-class characters who, for various reasons, feel alienated from society. Bolger questions the relevance of traditional nationalist concepts of Irishness, arguing for a more plural and inclusive society.

In the late 1970s Bolger set up Raven Arts Press, which he ran until 1992 when he co-founded New Island Press.

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic collection with a very readable and excellent introduction by Dermot Bolger, himself one of Ireland's literary luminaries. There are complete short stories and excerpts from longer works, and styles and subject matter to suit the most varied of tastes. As one might expect from an Irish anthology, there is a strong element of the macabre and deathly, but that doesn't keep a good bit of humor from entering here and there. Some of the most memorable stories are also the most horrific (Maeve Kelly's "Orange Horses" and Colum McCann's "Through The Fields", to name two), but there are many moments of strange and enduring beauty and humanity throughout, particularly in Shane Connaughton's "Ojus" and Michael O'Loughlin's "A Rock and Roll Death". Read it and pick your own favorites.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very wonderful anthology of short stories by Irish authors. An immense range of styles and lyrical prose, each and every one full of character and atmosphere.

[Clay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hit or miss.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a somewhat older version of this anthology by Picador Press. Some good excerpts and shorts. It got me to read a few of the writers. Apparently free secondary education does make for more writers, and a few good ones.

[Maryam Talakoob · Rating 3 out of 5]

fresh, drole, interesting, great language and a huge selection of writers who are insanely amazing at making up stories. One of the strongest point of this antology is the strength of these stories. That is to say, one reads the first line and gets rivited to what comes in the next paragraph...

[Paul]

some really intensely great stories herein - both from authors you know and have heard of and those you've never heard of, but should, because they are amazing writers! - I loved this collection! - thanks to son Alex for turning me on to it.

[Jen Kautt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, heartbreaking, and sometimes even hopeful.

[Estelle]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13956555