I've seen Rick's suggested book & movie list. Most of the movies I've seen and some of the books.
But I wanted to see if anyone had some alternate suggestions to Rick's list they wish were on the list.
Go raibh maith agat
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon...Formerly Ventura, CA
2262 posts
One of my favorite writers is Colm Toibin. His second novel, The Heather Blazing, is a wonderful read that serves to illuminate the Irish mindset just a bit. Others I've enjoyed are Brooklyn-made into the movie of the same name-and Nora Webster. A truly great writer.
Also-Colum McCann-his novel This Side of Brightness-not set in Ireland, but one of the great Irish writers.
Posted by
Placentia, CA
1075 posts
I like reading Dan Brown's books. I just finished reading the "Inferno". I was fun reliving my visit to Florence and Venice. Since every book becomes a move, you can see where you have been. I was watching "The DaVinci Code" after a visit to Paris and saw Tom Hanks driving the wrong way on a one way street. I think you pay more attention to the movie if you have been there.
Posted by
Land of La
9221 posts
Are we talking books set in Ireland? Since you posted here I'm making the assumption.
Personally and although not all of the story is set in Ireland the main character is Irish and that's what defines the storyline. Its a trilogy called The Last Round Up by Roddy Doyle.
I'm also into Tana French's Dublin Muder Squad series beginning with Into the Woods.
And if going to NI you might check out via Netflix, the mystery thriller The Fall with Gillian Anderson.
Posted by
Portland, OR
238 posts
Even though I am not a golfer I enjoyed A Course Called Ireland by Tom Coyne. It's in the vein of Around Ireland with a Fridge (also fun--it's on Rick's list) but with golf. McCarthy's Bar by the late Pete McCarthy is another entertaining read. And for a really interesting description of life in the Blasket Islands (no longer inhabited) you could try The Island Man by Tomas O'Crohan. It's a little bit difficult to read because it is a translation from the Gaelic and the original author was not a "writer" in the traditional sense, but worth the effort I think.
Posted by
3123 posts
My husband, whose mother came from Ireland, was fascinated by "Stalking Irish Madness" by Patrick Tracey. It's about schizophrenia, though -- might not be for everyone!
Posted by
Utah
8 posts
Has anyone read "Ulysses" in prep for an Ireland trip? We should most likely be in Dublin on Bloomsday and I thought it would be a good book to read. But I'm on page 50 and I'm starting to lose my mind.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15781 posts
Alex - I'm told Joyce's earlier work, The Dubliners, is a better choice, certainly an easier read.
Nicole - if you want non-fiction, How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill is excellent. Ireland by Joseph Coohill is an objective, concise description of the incredibly complicated history of the country.
Posted by
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, USA
153 posts
I just finished Edward Rutherfurd's "Rebel's
of Ireland", his follow-up to "Prince's of Ireland". Rutherfurd writes historical fiction in the James Michener mode. They covered the history of Ireland from the 5th century up through the 1920's. I learned a lot. My only disappointment was that not enough time was spent on the Easter Rebellion. Highly recommend.
Posted by
Beaverton, Oregon, USA
740 posts
Trinity, by Leon Uris. One of the best books I've read.
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon...Formerly Ventura, CA
2262 posts
Frank Delaney's Ireland is a novel about a boy who becomes a traditional Irish itinerant storyteller in the last half of the twentieth century. The narrative is interspersed with the classic stories of Ireland, and is a good overview of the country-it explains a lot. If you do audio books, Delaney reads this one himself, very well done.