Understanding Contemporary Irish Fiction and Drama

"Margaret Hallissy's thoughtful, nuanced study of selected works of Irish fiction and drama demonstrates the ways that the works reflect the multiple interpretations of major events in modern Irish history and of key elements of Irish culture. Hallissy's purpose in her intelligent study is not to write an historical analysis of each event but to inquire into the historical interpretations that have informed the writer's point of view about each of the historical moments."—Maureen O. Murphy, Hofstra University

"Surveying the major tropes and events of Irish literature, Hallissy's Understanding Contemporary Irish Fiction and Drama provides accessible critical commentary and carefully chosen literary examples. Especially useful is her guidance on reading Irish texts with sensitivity toward ambiguity and the unspoken. Students will derive understanding of not only the complexity of Irish experiences as represented by particular writers, but also the vital roles these genres have played in re-examining unsettled aspects of Irish history and politics."—Eileen Morgan-Zayachek, associate professor of English, State University of New York, Oneonta

"Students of contemporary Irish literature, as well as college teachers seeking guidance on organizing courses or instructing key historical and cultural contexts, will profit greatly from an encounter with Hallissy's cogent, lucid synthesis."—English Literature in Transition, 1880-1920