Sunday, 29 July 2012

OF ANGRY LETTERS AND REVIEWS

For those of you not on Facebook, John Foyle alerted me on Friday to a letter in the Irish Times, complaining about my story 'Poisson d'Avril', which appeared in Saturday the 21st July's Irish Times. To quote: 'Little more than porn, a sacriligeous parody...God help Ireland' etc etc. The story is also in my new collection Mother America. The reaction by commenters on Facebook was positive and hilarious (positively hilarious?). Here is the photo John posted. Click pic to enlarge and read:


And today, The Sunday Times Culture section has a great review of Mother America, from Eithne Shortall. I couldn't have asked for a better review. Eithne Shortall says: 'Firmly rooted in the Irish tradition, Ní Chonchúir's stories show the impact of James Joyce and Eilís Ní Dhuibhne.' Two of my literary heroes indeed. Incidentally she also says, '...in the difficult task of writing about sex, the author shows particular flair.'

Access to The Sunday Times is by subscription only so here's a photo of the review. Click pic to enlarge and read:




14 comments:

Tania Hershman said...

Well, I think you definitely know you've made it when you're accused of writing porn in a letter to a major newspaper! Congratulations... And more congratulations on a stunning review. Ain't life funny?

Group 8 said...

Life sure is funny, Tania :)

Unknown said...

Totally agree with Tania! The letter alone shows you've made it! Joyce was accused of being pornographic. Good company.

Group 8 said...

Wiblick! Welcome to my blog! For all I know you've been lurking for years...

shaunag said...

Fantastic, Nuala, very well deserved and accurate review. Delighted for you!

Órfhlaith Foyle said...

Congratulations on the wonderful review in The Sunday Times, Nuala. Your writing deserves it.

dan powell said...

Proof that one person's porn is another's work of literary merit. The fact your work is generating angry letters to the press in response shows you are dealing with important, challenging and engaging themes. Great review, your latest superb collection deserves such high praise.

Christodoulos Makris said...

brilliant! - and here's me thinking the editors of the IT's letters page lack humour

Anna May said...

Well done on 'stimulating' readers with your writing, Nuala!

Anna May x

Group 8 said...

Thanks everyone :)

Rachel Fenton said...

Dear Sir,

Further to my letter of complaint printed in this paper, about the scandalous content of the story printed herewithin by THAT author, I should like to take this opportunity to appeal to your more discerning readers about wise reading, and to note to them the fact that the book THAT story was take from is stubborn with filthy. I say it divulges in the tawdry desires of the mind and I didn't read a page past eighty-five.

Yours, P Rude

(A parody of a pious prude)x

Group 8 said...

Hee hee, thanks Rae. Yes, it's the VERY CLOSE reading that I wonder at...SH eis a writer herself, of non-fic.

chillcat said...

Hilarious and very entraining. I believe that porn sells so either way you're a winner!

Group 8 said...

Cat - it is very unpornlike porn ;)