Books

Book ReviewsFighting Words

Clara and Christina by Andrew Cunning: Questioning the nature of contemporary fiction

Daring debut novel explores themes around publishing, identity and bland writing trends

A trivial comedy for serious YA readers, and more summer page-turners for teens

Your husband is in an office wearing clean clothes and you are on a bus to Donegal wearing a nappy

Marilyn Monroe: a life of endless mystery and metamorphosis in books

Jan Morris – A Life by Sara Wheeler: Biography races through writer’s contradictory 94 years

‘Build up an extreme well of confidence’: Daniel Kraus on getting in the writing zone

A Chorus of Ears by Denise Riley: Enjoy the company of an egregiously intelligent companion

Proust by Samuel Beckett: A fascinating glimpse of a Nobel laureate ‘in the making’

SHORT STORIES

POETRY

Religion in Irish Literature and Culture: Original and thought-provoking essays

Religion in Irish Literature and Culture: Original and thought-provoking essays

By Eamon Maher

The Poems of Sylvia Plath review: Leaping virtuoso from the page, clear as a bell

The Poems of Sylvia Plath review: Leaping virtuoso from the page, clear as a bell

By Martina Evans

Poem of the Week: Teething Ring

Poem of the Week: Teething Ring

By Rosamund Taylor

Reviews in brief: Cold War Football, The Albany Trilogy and Five Noir Novels of the 1950s & 60s

Reviews in brief: Cold War Football, The Albany Trilogy and Five Noir Novels of the 1950s & 60s

By NJMcGarrigle

Nero New Writers Prize launched

Nero New Writers Prize launched

By Martin Doyle

We Need to Tax Billionaires: A fair way to broaden the base

We Need to Tax Billionaires: A fair way to broaden the base

By Vic Duggan

‘It’s a bit mad’: Dubliner Djamel White reacts to being longlisted for Booker Prize 2026

‘It’s a bit mad’: Dubliner Djamel White reacts to being longlisted for Booker Prize 2026

By Niamh Browne

Cool Machine by Colson Whitehead: Violence, humour and sharp social criticism

Cool Machine by Colson Whitehead: Violence, humour and sharp social criticism

By Laurie Hertzel

I looked at the busman’s huge knuckles and decided I’d rather die than go home

I looked at the busman’s huge knuckles and decided I’d rather die than go home

By Elaine Garvey

The Rise and Fall of American Europe: United States set to be much more transactional

The Rise and Fall of American Europe: United States set to be much more transactional

By Michael Sanfey

Booker Prize 2026: Irish debutant features on longlist alongside Marlon James, Douglas Stuart and more

Booker Prize 2026: Irish debutant features on longlist alongside Marlon James, Douglas Stuart and more

By Martin Doyle

Every Exit Brings You Home by Naeem Murr: An absorbing novel

Every Exit Brings You Home by Naeem Murr: An absorbing novel

By Anne Haverty

Contrapposto by Dave Eggers: A profoundly earnest, funny and sexy read

Contrapposto by Dave Eggers: A profoundly earnest, funny and sexy read

By Mei Chin

Author Max Porter on David Walliams: ‘F**k that guy, f**k the work. They are horrible books’

Author Max Porter on David Walliams: ‘Fk that guy, fk the work. They are horrible books’

By Nadine O’Regan

New poetry: An indispensable mirror to death-dealing cultures of neglect and abuse

New poetry: An indispensable mirror to death-dealing cultures of neglect and abuse

By Catriona Clutterbuck

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