Ryan launches new novel in Nenagh
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Donal Ryan with Nenagh Bookshop proprietrors John and Catherine Ryan at the launch of his book, ‘The Queen of Dirt Island’ on Saturday last. PHOTOs: ODHRAN DUCIE Odhran DucieImage 2 of 3
Rosemary Joyce meets Donal Ryan at the launch of his book. Odhran DucieImage 3 of 3
Geraldine McNulty and author Donal Ryan pictured at the book signing at the Nenagh Bookshop. Odhran DucieLocal author Donal Ryan launched his latest novel ‘The Queen of Dirt Island’ at The Nenagh Bookshop last Saturday.
An episodic work of short standalone chapters centering on a household of four generations of strong-willed women, this is a story of terrible betrayals and fierce loyalties, of isolation and togetherness, of transgression, forgiveness, desire and love. It is the latest offering from the Nenagh author, now living in Limerick, who came to prominence with his first three novels - ‘The Spinning Heart’, ‘The Thing About December’ and ‘All We Shall Know’. Donal also published a short story collection - ‘A Slanting of the Sun’ - while his fourth novel, ‘From a Low and Quiet Sea’ was longlisted for a Man Booker Prize and shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award.
Donal's new novel is once again set in a small north Tipperary village with people and place names that local readers will readily identify with; it also features some characters from his Booker longlisted most recent novel ‘Strange Flowers’.
Dedicated to his mother Ann, Donal's new novel was described in the Irish Independent by author Martina Devlin as a story “about family - however it happens to be constructed - which celebrates loyalty and love, and it seems appropriate that Ryan dedicates it to his mother ‘with love’. As the author Rachel Joyce says of his work: ‘I think you have to truly love people to write like this’.”
‘The Queen of Dirt Island’ by Donal Ryan is out now and available locally.