From Library Journal
Despite the inexpensive price and uniform paperback format, this new literary series does not offer basic introductions or compilations of past criticism, although each volume has a good chronology of the subject's life and an excellent bibliography. The texts are in fact original book-length essays covering the complete oeuvre of each writer in question and thus require some previous study on the reader's part. These first volumes in the series cover a range of living Irish writers, from the celebrated to the lesser known, with emphasis on the specifically Irish elements in their work. O'Brien (English, Univ. of Limerick), also the series editor, produces a workmanlike essay in response to the unenviable task of saying something new about "famous Seamus" Heaney, one of the best-known writers in the world. Corbett (English, University Coll., Cork) does a new treatment of the almost as famous Friel, and Hand (editor, Irish Literary Supplement) makes a major contribution to the meager writings on the gifted but not as well-known Banville. Subjects to come have the same mix of famous (Roddy Doyle, Neil Jordan) and not so famous (Jennifer Johnston, Colm Toibin). Like the Corbett and Hand volumes, most will be the first book-length works by young writers. These studies are a good value for the money and are highly recommended for academic libraries and special collections in Irish literature. Shelley Cox, Southern Illinois Univ. Lib., Carbondale Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This book looks at two major areas of interest to Banville's work. First there are his aesthetic or philosophical concerns with the nature of the self, reality and fiction. Many of his protagonists recognise the limitations of the imagination's engagement with the real world and the ensuing crisis permeates all levels of their experience and existence. A Second, less recognised theme running through his works is "the matter of Ireland", in particular the Anglo-Irish and their Big Houses. The book argues that despite the universal postmodern themes found in his work, it is important to view Banville's work from an Irish perspective to understand it fully.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal