The Irish writer chooses her favourite books. Her collection of essays, "Constellations", was shortlisted for the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and her debut novel, "Hagstone", is out now in paperback.
The Cost of Living
Valentino
Natalia Ginzburg, 2023
This Italian writer, who died in 1991, wrote essays about family, life and craft, but her novellas are so compelling and deft. This short work is about the spoiled only son of an Italian family, and the impact his questionable choices have on everyone around him.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Visitor
Maeve Brennan, 2005
Though long-forgotten in Irish literary history, there has been a resurgence of interest in Brennan's work in recent years. This novella (unpublished when she was alive) is brilliant on contemporary issues of housing, and what it means to be able to afford a home.
Things In Nature Merely Grow
Yiyun Li, published next month
Grief is a difficult subject to write about, but this devastating account of the suicides of Li's two sons is clear-eyed and unsentimental. It's a manifesto of living, not dying, and of how we endure the most unimaginable things.
Lolly Willowes
Sylvia Townsend Warner, 1926
This novel turns 100 next year, and remains a feminist classic. The titular character is a bored spinster who moves to the country, fraternises with the Devil – and realises she's a witch. Funny, erotic and timeless.
Dubliners
James Joyce, 1914
Some people fear reading Joyce because of "Ulysse"s (don't), but start with his brilliant Dublin stories. The final story, "The Dead", about a man who realises he is not his wife's first love, is my favourite short story of all time.
-
Why is the Trump administration talking about ‘Western civilization’?Talking Points Rubio says Europe, US bonded by religion and ancestry
-
Quentin Deranque: a student’s death energizes the French far rightIN THE SPOTLIGHT Reactions to the violent killing of an ultraconservative activist offer a glimpse at the culture wars roiling France ahead of next year’s elections
-
Secured vs. unsecured loans: how do they differ and which is better?the explainer They are distinguished by the level of risk and the inclusion of collateral
-
James Van Der Beek obituary: fresh-faced Dawson’s Creek starIn The Spotlight Van Der Beek fronted one of the most successful teen dramas of the 90s – but his Dawson fame proved a double-edged sword
-
Properties of the week: pretty thatched cottagesThe Week Recommends Featuring homes in West Sussex, Dorset and Suffolk
-
Kia EV4: a ‘terrifically comfy’ electric carThe Week Recommends The family-friendly vehicle has ‘plush seats’ and generous space
-
Bonfire of the Murdochs: an ‘utterly gripping’ bookThe Week Recommends Gabriel Sherman examines Rupert Murdoch’s ‘war of succession’ over his media empire
-
Gwen John: Strange Beauties – a ‘superb’ retrospectiveThe Week Recommends ‘Daunting’ show at the National Museum Cardiff plunges viewers into the Welsh artist’s ‘spiritual, austere existence’
-
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl: A win for unityFeature The global superstar's halftime show was a celebration for everyone to enjoy
-
Book reviews: ‘Bonfire of the Murdochs’ and ‘The Typewriter and the Guillotine’Feature New insights into the Murdoch family’s turmoil and a renowned journalist’s time in pre-World War II Paris
-
6 exquisite homes with vast acreageFeature Featuring an off-the-grid contemporary home in New Mexico and lakefront farmhouse in Massachusetts
