Like the title says, my mother recently became a citizen of Ireland, and I'm looking for a book she'd enjoy by an irish author. I'd really appreciate any recommendations!
Some potentially helpful details:
She's in her mid-60s, lived with her grandmother (from Cork) growing up, loves a good heartfelt story, and isn't an avid reader of novels, though she's currently working through Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen.
I recently read Small Things Like These and thought about getting her a set of Claire Keegan's books, but I'm not sure she'd enjoy the whole Magdalene laundries bit — so I'm sorta looking for something with the same/similar notes of individual heroism and personal growth etc. with perhaps less child abuse.
by oradordelacasa
3 Comments
Angela’s Ashes
Maybe one of Frank McCourt’s memoirs? (sorry, missed the bit about less child abuse in your post)
A collection of short stories? Fairy and Folk Tales by Yeats, Dubliners by James Joyce, or for one with a longer time span by a variety of authors, 44 Irish Short Stories.
These are novels so maybe not good options for her, but Tana French writes beautiful mystery/thrillers that sometimes have tinges of the supernatural.
As someone whose mom is also an Irish citizen in her mid-60s, here’s a couple of thoughts.
I don’t feel like I have a perfect suggestion, so I apologize in advance!
For personal growth (it’s a coming-of-age story about a woman in her 20s), I loved The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donogue. That said, my mom is pretty conservative so I don’t think I would buy it for her, but if your mom is cool, I really enjoyed this one 🙂
For heroism, maybe Tana French? She writes really well-written police thriller/mysteries.
This isn’t what you’re asking for, but since you said she isn’t an avid reader of novels, what about non-fiction about The Troubles? My mom LOVED Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe (but he’s American, not Irish). I read it, too, and I always recommend it; it’s so well-researched and interesting.
I haven’t read it yet but I just bought my mom Trespasses by Louise Kennedy. I’ve heard rave reviews!!