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The Genius
A collection of four of O'Connor's short stories, often written from the point of view of a child or an individual outside of society's conventions. They are The Genius, My Oedipus Complex, The Ugly Duckling and Song Without Words.
89 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1963
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About the author
Frank O'Connor
164 books131 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.
Frank O’Connor (born Michael Francis O'Connor O'Donovan) was an Irish author of over 150 works, who was best known for his short stories and memoirs. Raised an only child in Cork, Ireland, to Minnie O'Connor and Michael O'Donovan, his early life was marked by his father's alcoholism, indebtness and ill-treatment of his mother.
He was perhaps Ireland's most complete man of letters, best known for his varied and comprehensive short stories but also for his work as a literary critic, essayist, travel writer, translator and biographer.[5] He was also a novelist, poet and dramatist.[6]
From the 1930s to the 1960s he was a prolific writer of short stories, poems, plays, and novellas. His work as an Irish teacher complemented his plethora of translations into English of Irish poetry, including his initially banned translation of Brian Merriman's Cúirt an Mheán Oíche ("The Midnight Court"). Many of O'Connor's writings were based on his own life experiences — his character Larry Delaney in particular. O'Connor's experiences in the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War are reflected in The Big Fellow, his biography of Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins, published in 1937, and one of his best-known short stories, Guests of the Nation (1931), published in various forms during O'Connor's lifetime and included in Frank O'Connor — Collected Stories, published in 1981.
O'Connor's early years are recounted in An Only Child, a memoir published in 1961 but which has the immediacy of a precocious diary. U.S. President John F. Kennedy quoted from An Only Child in his remarks introducing the American commitment to land a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Kennedy described the long walks O'Connor would take with his friends and how, when they came to a wall that seemed too formidable to climb over, they would throw their caps over the wall so they would be forced to scale the wall after them. Kennedy concluded, "This nation has tossed its cap over the wall of space and we have no choice but to follow it."[7] O'Connor continued his autobiography through his time with the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, which ended in 1939, in his book, My Father's Son, which was published in 1968, after O'Connor's death.
Frank O’Connor (born Michael Francis O'Connor O'Donovan) was an Irish author of over 150 works, who was best known for his short stories and memoirs. Raised an only child in Cork, Ireland, to Minnie O'Connor and Michael O'Donovan, his early life was marked by his father's alcoholism, indebtness and ill-treatment of his mother.
He was perhaps Ireland's most complete man of letters, best known for his varied and comprehensive short stories but also for his work as a literary critic, essayist, travel writer, translator and biographer.[5] He was also a novelist, poet and dramatist.[6]
From the 1930s to the 1960s he was a prolific writer of short stories, poems, plays, and novellas. His work as an Irish teacher complemented his plethora of translations into English of Irish poetry, including his initially banned translation of Brian Merriman's Cúirt an Mheán Oíche ("The Midnight Court"). Many of O'Connor's writings were based on his own life experiences — his character Larry Delaney in particular. O'Connor's experiences in the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War are reflected in The Big Fellow, his biography of Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins, published in 1937, and one of his best-known short stories, Guests of the Nation (1931), published in various forms during O'Connor's lifetime and included in Frank O'Connor — Collected Stories, published in 1981.
O'Connor's early years are recounted in An Only Child, a memoir published in 1961 but which has the immediacy of a precocious diary. U.S. President John F. Kennedy quoted from An Only Child in his remarks introducing the American commitment to land a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Kennedy described the long walks O'Connor would take with his friends and how, when they came to a wall that seemed too formidable to climb over, they would throw their caps over the wall so they would be forced to scale the wall after them. Kennedy concluded, "This nation has tossed its cap over the wall of space and we have no choice but to follow it."[7] O'Connor continued his autobiography through his time with the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, which ended in 1939, in his book, My Father's Son, which was published in 1968, after O'Connor's death.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 28, 2016
Four short stories set in the Republic of Ireland, taken from books published in the 60s.
These were well selected and excellent stand alone stories. They felt very 60s without feeling dated in the writing, but still very of their time. As a big fan of Roddy Doyle I enjoyed the way these stories fit into that sort of nostalgia of old fashioned Ireland. Having spent some time living in Dublin I also get a bit of kick out of recognising the places and even place names.
The four stories examine different aspects - the naivety of a young boy negotiating his way through relationships; the relationship of a young boy with his mother and a father returned from the war; the complex relationship of a man and woman over the course of their lives; the weakness and strength of a pair of monks.
Four stars from me.
These were well selected and excellent stand alone stories. They felt very 60s without feeling dated in the writing, but still very of their time. As a big fan of Roddy Doyle I enjoyed the way these stories fit into that sort of nostalgia of old fashioned Ireland. Having spent some time living in Dublin I also get a bit of kick out of recognising the places and even place names.
The four stories examine different aspects - the naivety of a young boy negotiating his way through relationships; the relationship of a young boy with his mother and a father returned from the war; the complex relationship of a man and woman over the course of their lives; the weakness and strength of a pair of monks.
Four stars from me.
June 3, 2022
Very funny.
Very cutting.
Very cutting.
August 18, 2025
All of this is going to happen in Cavan tomorrow.
November 12, 2023
Allusive and allegorical stories
March 13, 2024
Especially the first two stories "The Genius" and "The Oedipus complex" made a huge impression on me. Told from the perspective of a child, they are almost constantly imbued with a humorous tone stemming from that specific perspective. Very believable, very warm-hearted despite the context the stories are set in.
"The ugly duckling" is a convincing character study of a tomboy girl whose early experiences with regard to her own ugliness seem to shape her perception of herself and the world and consequently also her decisions. O'Connor manages to immediately pull you into the worlds he creates, a few pages are sufficient for him.
Only the last story about two priests in a convent indulging in a mutual interest was less convincing.
"The ugly duckling" is a convincing character study of a tomboy girl whose early experiences with regard to her own ugliness seem to shape her perception of herself and the world and consequently also her decisions. O'Connor manages to immediately pull you into the worlds he creates, a few pages are sufficient for him.
Only the last story about two priests in a convent indulging in a mutual interest was less convincing.
July 6, 2019
Gotta love those little Penguin 60s editions... perfect for reading on the go or for getting a first impression of an author. Here, we meet a precocious young narrator who has decided he is a genius. We also meet Nan and Mike and their attempt at a relationship as well as two monks who have small secrets.
September 20, 2025
It's an odd little collection. It's worth buying just to reread "Guests of the Nation" which really packs a punch. Allying that with tales told from a child's perspective and more casual stories adds up to something that's interesting but doesn't cohere. O'Connor wrote well but this isn't the book to encounter his stories.
April 9, 2022
Two short stories on the innocence and potentialities of childhood, a love story between late teenagers, and a story of a silently budding friendship between two men reaching their age of repose. All set in rural Ireland of the first half of the 20th century.
Tranquil, yet profound.
Tranquil, yet profound.
December 13, 2023
4 short stories painting a picture of Catholic Ireland that no longer exists, if it ever did. They offer gentle mockery of the social norms of the time, especially those that shaped the upbringing of children, but there's no deeply profound insights offered.
December 15, 2025
I'd rate this 6 stars if I could. Funniest thing I've read this year by a clear distance, and I knew I'd a new favourite author within the first five pages. Is there any better feeling in the world than finding a writer whose work resonates with you on a whole other level?
July 17, 2021
Very well written
July 25, 2025
the last story is killer
August 9, 2025
First two stories from the perspective of children were brilliantly done and the last story made me bring up the futileness of war at lunch. Heartwrenching.
Read
August 12, 2025forgot to log this but the perfect read during my dublin trip #irish
August 17, 2025
good collection of linked short stories
October 17, 2025
Look I might be biased given that I’m Irish and I understood the references far better but I loved it. Particularly the first and last short story but all were top notch.
October 4, 2014
In a time when I feel inundated by crime novels and depictions of slipping moral standards it feels refreshing to read these stories. They are not portraying an Eden through rosy tinted glasses, but - especially in the first two stories here, narrated by a small boy - the naivety is quite touching. Whether it is the first heartbreak or the jealousy of this strange man supposedly your father returned from the First World War who changes your interaction with your mother forever, O'Connor can make the world seem large and tiny simultaneously. The complex relationship between Mick and Nan in the third story reveals much about the complexity of human nature as it plays out in specific circumstances. The final tale, of the friendship between two monks in a silent order, demonstrates how the world is too much with us. Lovely, heartwarming narratives about flawed humanity - here as found in Ireland.
In vier vertellings beeld O'Connor die wêreld en menslikheid uit soos dit spesifiek in Ierland te vinde is. Die naïwiteit, veral in die eerste twee verhale met 'n klein seuntjie as verteller, is ontroerend, veral in 'n tyd waarin misdaadverhale en uitbeeldings van morele verglyding die hoogty vier. Sonder om probleme af te skaal of rooskleurig uit te beeld stel die skrywer 'n gebroke werklikheid met deernis voor.
In vier vertellings beeld O'Connor die wêreld en menslikheid uit soos dit spesifiek in Ierland te vinde is. Die naïwiteit, veral in die eerste twee verhale met 'n klein seuntjie as verteller, is ontroerend, veral in 'n tyd waarin misdaadverhale en uitbeeldings van morele verglyding die hoogty vier. Sonder om probleme af te skaal of rooskleurig uit te beeld stel die skrywer 'n gebroke werklikheid met deernis voor.
February 27, 2011
The Genius (and three other stories) recalls childhood in rural Ireland with the child protagonist's humorous point of view of the adult world.
February 21, 2016
A short and sweet introduction to one of the finest writers of short stories of the 20th Century.
April 11, 2016
Excellent short story's ...
October 2, 2016
Oh ye who seek joy in the written word, shall find your solace and delight here.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews