Spend time in: Dublin

A Writer’s City

by Christopher Morash

#Dublin #NetGalley

There is no doubt that Dublin has been home to many writers and their creations. Even those who have not read Ulysses know that the characters of James Joyce dwell here. Among the many others to have worked or set works in Dublin were Seamus Heaney, Yeats, and Beckett, up to the more recent, Sally Rooney.

This title is a bibliophile’s delight. The reader’s guide, author Chris Morash, has written extensively on Ireland and is on the judging panel of the Dublin Literary Award. He notes that, when he moved to Dublin, he lived on the street where Oscar Wilde had been born, and where part of Ulysses takes place. Clearly he is one to enjoy the city’s rich literary history. Readers are in good hands.

This title is organized by geographic locations. For example there are chapters set around St. Stephen’s Green, Trinity College, Riverrun and many others. There are many maps and photos that bring the text to life.

The book opens with an extensive chronology that begins in 770 and ends in 2021. There are both historical and literary events noted here. I learned, for example, that in 1551 the first book was published in Dublin. Do you know what it was? See below for the answer.

Morash has included a section called Read On for those who want to dig a bit deeper.

This book offers much to engage both the scholar and the more casual reader. I highly recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Cambridge University Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 09 March 2023

Note: This is a title in a series that features writers and cities. Other books are on New Orleans, London, Cambridge and New York. Look for them.